Exploring Players’ in-Game Purchase Intention in Freemium Open-World Games: The Role of Cognitive Absorption and Motivational Affordances

References

• Abbasi, A. Z., Ting, D. H., Hlavacs, H., Costa, L. V., & Veloso, A. I. (2019). An empirical validation of consumer video game engagement: A playful-consumption experience approach. Entertainment Computing, 29, 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2018.12.002
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Agarwal, R., & Karahanna, E. (2000). Time flies when you’re having fun: Cognitive absorption and beliefs about information technology usage. MIS Quarterly, 24(4), 665–694. https://doi.org/10.2307/3250951
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Agarwal, R., & Prasad, J. (1998). A conceptual and operational definition of personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology. Information Systems Research, 9(2), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.9.2.204
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ahn, T., Ryu, S., & Han, I. (2007). The impact of Web quality and playfulness on user acceptance of online retailing. Information & Management, 44(3), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2006.12.008
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Alexander, R., & Martens, C. (2017). Deriving quests from open world mechanics. In Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (pp. 1–7). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/3102071.3102098
   Google Scholar
• Armstrong, J. S., & Overton, T. S. (1977). Estimating nonresponse bias in mail surveys. Journal of Marketing Research, 14(3), 396–402. https://doi.org/10.2307/3150783
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Azadvar, A., & Canossa, A. (2018). Upeq: Ubisoft perceived experience questionnaire: A self-determination evaluation tool for video games. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (pp. 1–7). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/3235765.3235780
   Google Scholar
• Baek, Y., & Touati, A. (2017). Exploring how individual traits influence enjoyment in a mobile learning game. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.053
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Balakrishnan, J., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2021). Role of cognitive absorption in building user trust and experience. Psychology & Marketing, 38(4), 643–668. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21462
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). Loyalty towards online games, gaming addiction, and purchase intention towards online mobile in-game features. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.06.002
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bapna, R., Ramaprasad, J., & Umyarov, A. (2018). Monetizing freemium communities: Does paying for premium increase social engagement? MIS Quarterly, 42(3), 719–735. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2018/13592
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bapna, R., & Umyarov, A. (2015). Do your online friends make you pay? A randomized field experiment on peer influence in online social networks. Management Science, 61(8), 1902–1920. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2081
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barnes, S. J., Pressey, A. D., & Scornavacca, E. (2019). Mobile ubiquity: Understanding the relationship between cognitive absorption, smartphone addiction and social network services. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 246–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.09.013
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brockmyer, J. H., Fox, C. M., Curtiss, K. A., McBroom, E., Burkhart, K. M., & Pidruzny, J. N. (2009). The development of the Game Engagement Questionnaire: A measure of engagement in video game-playing. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45(4), 624–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.02.016
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brown, E., & Cairns, P. (2004). A grounded investigation of game immersion. In CHI'04 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1297–1300). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/985921.986048
   Google Scholar
• Burton-Jones, A., & Straub, D. W. Jr. (2006). Reconceptualizing system usage: An approach and empirical test. Information Systems Research, 17(3), 228–246. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1060.0096
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cai, X., Cebollada, J., & Cortiñas, M. (2022). A grounded theory approach to understanding in-game goods purchase. PloS One, 17(1), e0262998.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Champion, E. (2020). Culturally significant presence in single-player computer games. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 13(4), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1145/3414831
   Google Scholar
• Chandra, S., Srivastava, S. C., & Theng, Y.-L. (2012). Cognitive absorption and trust for workplace collaboration in virtual worlds: An information processing decision making perspective. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 13(10), 797–835. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00310
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chen, L., Baird, A., & Straub, D. (2019). Why do participants continue to contribute? Evaluation of usefulness voting and commenting motivational affordances within an online knowledge community. Decision Support Systems, 118, 21–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2018.12.008
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chory, R. M., & Goodboy, A. K. (2011). Is basic personality related to violent and non-violent video game play and preferences? Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 14(4), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2010.0076
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Csikszentmihalyi, M., & Csikzentmihaly, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.
   Google Scholar
• Cullen, T. (2015). Modelling environmental and temporal factors on background characters in open world games. Trinity College.
   Google Scholar
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Denham, J., & Spokes, M. (2021). The right to the virtual city: Rural retreatism in open-world video games. New Media & Society, 23(6), 1567–1583. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820917114
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dergousoff, K., & Mandryk, R. L. (2015, April). Mobile gamification for crowdsourcing data collection: Leveraging the freemium model. In Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1065–1074). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/2702123.2702296
   Google Scholar
• Deterding, S. (2011, May 7–11). Situated motivational affordances of game elements: A conceptual model [Paper presentation]. ACM CHI 2011, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
   Google Scholar
• Dreier, M., Wölfling, K., Duven, E., Giralt, S., Beutel, M. E., & Müller, K. W. (2017). Free-to-play: About addicted whales, at risk dolphins and healthy minnows. Monetarization design and internet gaming disorder. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 328–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.008
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Drummond, A., & Sauer, J. D. (2018). Video game loot boxes are psychologically akin to gambling. Nature Human Behaviour, 2(8), 530–532. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0360-1
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elias, H., Almeida, F., Filgueiras, E., Rodrigues, E. P. F., & Alexandre, S. C. (2021). No-places and Immersion in open world games: a Rock Star case study. In International Conference on Design and Digital Communication (pp. 166–179). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61671-7_16
   Google Scholar
• Evans, E. (2016). The economics of free: Freemium games, branding and the impatience economy. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 22(6), 563–580. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856514567052
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Evers, E. R., Van de Ven, N., & Weeda, D. (2015). The hidden cost of microtransactions: Buying in-game advantages in online games decreases a player’s status. International Journal of Internet Science, 10(1), 20–36. https://www.ijis.net/ijis10_1/ijis10_1_evers_et_al_pre.html
   Google Scholar
• Fang, B., Zheng, Z., Ye, Q., & Goes, P. B. (2019). Social influence and monetization of freemium social games. Journal of Management Information Systems, 36(3), 730–754. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2019.1628878
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gao, W., Liu, Y., Liu, Z., & Li, J. (2018). How does presence influence purchase intention in online shopping markets? An explanation based on self-determination theory. Behaviour & Information Technology, 37(8), 786–799. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2018.1484514
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gao, L., Waechter, K. A., & Bai, X. (2015). Understanding consumers’ continuance intention towards mobile purchase: A theoretical framework and empirical study – a case of China. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 249–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.07.014
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Garcia-Fernandez, J., & Medeiros, L. (2019). Cultural heritage and communication through simulation videogames—a validation of minecraft. Heritage, 2(3), 2262–2274. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030138
   Google Scholar
• Gefen, D., & Straub, D. (2005). A practical guide to factorial validity using PLS-Graph: Tutorial and annotated example. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 16(1), 91–110. https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.01605
   Google Scholar
• Goel, L., Johnson, N. A., Junglas, I., & Ives, B. (2013). How cues of what can be done in a virtual world influence learning: An affordance perspective. Information & Management, 50(5), 197–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2013.01.003
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Guan, Z., Hou, F., Li, B., Chong, A. Y.-L., Phang, C. W. D. (2019, Dec 15–18). What encourages purchase of virtual gifts in live streaming: Cognitive absorption, social experience and technological environment [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Information Systems 2019, Munich, Germany.
   Google Scholar
• Guitart, A., Tan, S. H., Río, A. F. D., Chen, P. P., & Periáñez, Á. (2019). From non-paying to premium. Predicting user conversion in video games with ensemble learning. In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (pp. 1–9). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/3337722.3341855
   Google Scholar
• Guo, Y., & Barnes, S. (2009). Virtual item purchase behavior in virtual worlds: An exploratory investigation. Electronic Commerce Research, 9(1–2), 77–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-009-9032-6
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hackbarth, G., Grover, V., & Mun, Y. Y. (2003). Computer playfulness and anxiety: Positive and negative mediators of the system experience effect on perceived ease of use. Information & Management, 40(3), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(02)00006-X
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haerens, L., Aelterman, N., Vansteenkiste, M., Soenens, B., & Van Petegem, S. (2015). Do perceived autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching relate to physical education students’ motivational experiences through unique pathways? Distinguishing between the bright and dark side of motivation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 16, 26–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.08.013
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hair, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: Updated guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMDA.2017.087624
   Google Scholar
• Hamari, J. (2015). Why do people buy virtual goods? Attitude toward virtual good purchases versus game enjoyment. International Journal of Information Management, 35(3), 299–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2015.01.007
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hamari, J., Alha, K., Järvelä, S., Kivikangas, J. M., Koivisto, J., & Paavilainen, J. (2017). Why do players buy in-game content? An empirical study on concrete purchase motivations. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 538–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.045
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hamari, J., Hanner, N., & Koivisto, J. (2017). Service quality explains why people use freemium services but not if they go premium: An empirical study in free-to-play games. International Journal of Information Management, 37(1), 1449–1459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2016.09.004
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hamari, J., Hanner, N., & Koivisto, J. (2020). “Why pay premium in freemium services?” A study on perceived value, continued use and purchase intentions in free-to-play games. International Journal of Information Management, 51, 102040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.102040
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Han, B., & Windsor, J. (2013). An investigation of the smartphone user’s in–game purchase intention. International Journal of Mobile Communications, 11(6), 617–635. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMC.2013.057818
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hsu, C.-L., & Lin, J. C.-C. (2016). Effect of perceived value and social influences on mobile app stickiness and in-app purchase intention. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 108, 42–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2016.04.012
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hughes, N. G., & Cairns, P. (2021). Opening the world of contextually-specific player experiences. Entertainment Computing, 37, 100401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2020.100401
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ijaz, K., Ahmadpour, N., Wang, Y., & Calvo, R. A. (2020). Player experience of needs satisfaction (PENS) in an immersive virtual reality exercise platform describes motivation and enjoyment. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 36(13), 1195–1204. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2020.1726107
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jennett, C., Cox, A. L., Cairns, P., Dhoparee, S., Epps, A., Tijs, T., & Walton, A. (2008). Measuring and defining the experience of immersion in games. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 66(9), 641–661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2008.04.004
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jumaan, I. A., Hashim, N. H., & Al-Ghazali, B. M. (2020). The role of cognitive absorption in predicting mobile internet users’ continuance intention: An extension of the expectation-confirmation model. Technology in Society, 63, 101355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101355
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jung, J., Schneider, C., & Valacich, J. (2010). Enhancing the motivational affordance of information systems: The effects of real-time performance feedback and goal setting in group collaboration environments. Management Science, 56(4), 724–742. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1090.1129
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kang, M. (2022). Motivational affordances and survival of new askers on social Q&A sites: The case of Stack Exchange network. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 73(1), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24548
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Karahanna, E., Xu, S. X., Xu, Y., & Zhang, N. A. (2018). The needs–affordances–features perspective for the use of social media. MIS Quarterly, 42(3), 737–756. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2018/11492
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ke, W., & Zhang, P. (2010). The effects of extrinsic motivations and satisfaction in open source software development. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 11(12), 784–808. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00251
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kimppa, K. K., Heimo, O. I., & Harviainen, J. T. (2016). First dose is always freemium. ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 45(3), 132–137. https://doi.org/10.1145/2874239.2874258
   Google Scholar
• Kumar, V. (2014). Making “freemium” work. Harvard Business Review, 92(5), 27–29. https://hbr.org/2014/05/making-freemium-work
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lee, Y.-H., & Wohn, D. Y. (2012). Are there cultural differences in how we play? Examining cultural effects on playing social network games. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(4), 1307–1314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.02.014
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lewis, W., Agarwal, R., & Sambamurthy, V. (2003). Sources of influence on beliefs about information technology use: An empirical study of knowledge workers. MIS Quarterly, 27(4), 657–678. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036552
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lin, H.-F. (2009). Examination of cognitive absorption influencing the intention to use a virtual community. Behaviour & Information Technology, 28(5), 421–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/01449290701662169
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lowry, P. B., Gaskin, J., Twyman, N., Hammer, B., & Roberts, T. (2013). Taking ‘fun and games’ seriously: Proposing the hedonic-motivation system adoption model (HMSAM). Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 14(11), 617–671. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00347
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mäntymäki, M., Islam, A. N., & Benbasat, I. (2020). What drives subscribing to premium in freemium services? A consumer value‐based view of differences between upgrading to and staying with premium. Information Systems Journal, 30(2), 295–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12262
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mäntymäki, M., Merikivi, J., & Islam, A. K. M. (2014). Young people purchasing virtual goods in virtual worlds: The role of user experience and social context. In Conference on e-Business, e-Services and e-Society (pp. 303–314). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45526-5_28
   Google Scholar
• Majewski, J. (2014). Transmitting and preserving cultural knowledge through open-world role-playing games. Role of Higher Education Institutions in Society: Challenges, Tendencies, and Perspectives, 1(3), 130–136. https://alytauskolegija.lt/Dokumentai/2014/20_Majewski.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Marder, B., Gattig, D., Collins, E., Pitt, L., Kietzmann, J., & Erz, A. (2019). The Avatar's new clothes: Understanding why players purchase non-functional items in free-to-play games. Computers in Human Behavior, 91, 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.09.006
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nah, F. F. H., Telaprolu, V. R., Rallapalli, S., & Venkata, P. R. (2013). Gamification of education using computer games. In International Conference on Human Interface and the Management of Information (pp. 99–107). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39226-9_12
   Google Scholar
• Neely, E. L. (2021). Come for the game, stay for the cash grab: The ethics of loot boxes, microtransactions, and freemium games. Games and Culture, 16(2), 228–247. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412019887658
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Norman, D. A. (1999). Affordance, conventions, and design. Interactions, 6(3), 38–43. https://doi.org/10.1145/301153.301168
   Google Scholar
• Oestreicher-Singer, G., & Zalmanson, L. (2013). Content or community? A digital business strategy for content providers in the social age. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 591–616. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37.2.12
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Passalacqua, M., Morin, R., Sénécal, S., Nacke, L. E., & Léger, P.-M. (2020). Demystifying the first-time experience of mobile games: The presence of a tutorial has a positive impact on non-expert players’ flow and continuous-use intentions. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 4(3), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti4030041
   Google Scholar
• Perkins, K. E. (2010). Lifesigns: Successful storytelling in open-world games. Ohio University.
   Google Scholar
• Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Podsakoff, P. M., & Organ, D. W. (1986). Self-reports in organizational research: Problems and prospects. Journal of Management, 12(4), 531–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920638601200408
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Qin, H., Patrick Rau, P.-L., & Salvendy, G. (2009). Measuring player immersion in the computer game narrative. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 25(2), 107–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447310802546732
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ravoniarison, A., & Benito, C. (2019). Mobile games: Players’ experiences with in-app purchases. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 13(1), 62–78. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-06-2016-0060
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Reychav, I., & Wu, D. (2015). Are your users actively involved? A cognitive absorption perspective in mobile training. Computers in Human Behavior, 44, 335–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.09.021
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., & Straub, D. W. (2012). Editor’s comments: A critical look at the use of PLS-SEM in "MIS Quarterly". MIS Quarterly, 36(1), iii. xiv https://doi.org/10.2307/41410402
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Riva, G., Waterworth, J. A., Waterworth, E. L., & Mantovani, F. (2011). From intention to action: The role of presence. New Ideas in Psychology, 29(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2009.11.002
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Russell, J. A., & Pratt, G. (1980). A description of the affective quality attributed to environments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38(2), 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.38.2.311
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Russell, J. A. (2003). Core affect and the psychological construction of emotion. Psychological Review, 110(1), 145–172. Jan https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.110.1.145
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Saadé, R., & Bahli, B. (2005). The impact of cognitive absorption on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in on-line learning: An extension of the technology acceptance model. Information & Management, 42(2), 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2003.12.013
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• SensorTower (2022). U.S. consumer spending in mobile action games rose by 69% in 2021, driven by Genshin impact. https://sensortower.com/blog/mobile-game-genre-growth-2021/
   Google Scholar
• Sepehr, S., & Head, M. (2011, Dec 4). The role of competitiveness in the cognitive absorption of video games [Paper presentation]. The 10th Pre-ICIS Annual Workshop on HCI Research in MIS, Shanghai, China. https://aisel.aisnet.org/sighci2011/7
   Google Scholar
• Shang, R.-A., Chen, Y.-C., & Shen, L. (2005). Extrinsic versus intrinsic motivations for consumers to shop on-line. Information & Management, 42(3), 401–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2004.01.009
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shi, S. W., Xia, M., & Huang, Y. (2015). From minnows to whales: An empirical study of purchase behavior in freemium social games. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 20(2), 177–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/10864415.2016.1087820
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shin, D. H. (2017). The role of affordance in the experience of virtual reality learning: Technological and affective affordances in virtual reality. Telematics and Informatics, 34(8), 1826–1836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.05.013
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shiau, W.-L., Sarstedt, M., & Hair, J. F. (2019). Internet research using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Internet Research, 29(3), 398–406. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-10-2018-0447
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shiau, W.-L., Yuan, Y., Pu, X., Ray, S., & Chen, C. C. (2020). Understanding fintech continuance: Perspectives from self-efficacy and ECT-IS theories. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 120(9), 1659–1689. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-02-2020-0069
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sifa, R., Hadiji, F., Runge, J., Drachen, A., Kersting, K., & Bauckhage, C. (2015). Predicting purchase decisions in mobile free-to-play games. Proceedings of the 2015 AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment, 11(1), 79–85.
   Google Scholar
• Song, S., Zhao, Y. C., Yao, X., Ba, Z., & Zhu, Q. (2022). Serious information in hedonic social applications: Affordances, self-determination and health information adoption in TikTok. Journal of Documentation, 78(4), 890–991. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd-08-2021-0158
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Statista (2021). Mobile gaming market in the United States - statistics & facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/1906/mobile-gaming/#dossierKeyfigures
   Google Scholar
• Straub, D., Boudreau, M.-C., & Gefen, D. (2004). Validation guidelines for IS positivist research. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 13(24), 380–427. https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.01324
   Google Scholar
• Szymanezyk, O., Dickinson, P., & Duckett, T. (2011). From individual characters to large crowds: Augmenting the believability of open-world games through exploring social emotion in pedestrian groups. In Proceedings of DiGRA 2011 Conference: Think Design Play (pp. 14–17). DiGRA/Utrecht School of the Arts.
   Google Scholar
• Tang, J., Zhao, Y., Wang, T., & Zeng, Z. (2021). Examining the effects of feedback-giving as a gamification mechanic in crowd rating systems. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 37(20), 1916–1930. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2021.1917866
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tellegen, A., & Atkinson, G. (1974). Openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences (“ absorption”), a trait related to hypnotic susceptibility. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83(3), 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0036681
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Treiblmaier, H., & Putz, L. M. (2020). Gamification as a moderator for the impact of intrinsic motivation: Findings from a multigroup field experiment. Learning and Motivation, 71, 101655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2020.101655
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Trevino, L. K., & Webster, J. (1992). Flow in computer-mediated communication: Electronic mail and voice mail evaluation and impacts. Communication Research, 19(5), 539–573. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365092019005001
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tyack, A., & Mekler, E. D. (2020). Self-determination theory in HCI games research: Current uses and open questions. In Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1–22). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376723
   Google Scholar
• Wagner, T. M., Benlian, A., & Hess, T. (2014). Converting freemium customers from free to premium—the role of the perceived premium fit in the case of music as a service. Electronic Markets, 24(4), 259–268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-014-0168-4
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang, L., Gao, Y., Yan, J., & Qin, J. (2021). From freemium to premium: The roles of consumption values and game affordance. Information Technology & People, 34(1), 297–317. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-10-2019-0527
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang, L., Sun, Y., & Luo, X. (2022a). Game affordance, gamer orientation, and in‐game purchases: A hedonic–instrumental framework. Information Systems Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12384
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang, L., Luo, X. R., & Li, H. (2022b). Envy or conformity? An empirical investigation of peer influence on the purchase of non-functional items in mobile free-to-play games. Journal of Business Research, 147, 308–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.04.011
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Webster, J., & Ho, H. (1997). Audience engagement in multimedia presentations. ACM SIGMIS Database: The DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems, 28(2), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1145/264701.264706
   Google Scholar
• Webster, J., & Martocchio, J. J. (1992). Microcomputer playfulness: Development of a measure with workplace implications. MIS Quarterly, 16(2), 201–226. https://doi.org/10.2307/249576
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Weiser, P., Bucher, D., Cellina, F., & De Luca, V. (2015). A taxonomy of motivational affordances for meaningful gamified and persuasive technologies. In The 3rd International Conference on ICT for Sustainability (ICT4S) (pp. 271–280). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/ict4s-env-15.2015.31
   Google Scholar
• Weniger, S., & Loebbecke, C. (2011). Researching cognitive absorption in the context of fun-oriented information systems usage: An exploratory study. In Proceedings of the European Conference on Information Systems 2011. (pp. Paper 135). Association for Information Systems.
   Google Scholar
• Wetzels, M., Odekerken-Schröder, G., & Van Oppen, C. (2009). Using PLS path modeling for assessing hierarchical construct models: Guidelines and empirical illustration. MIS Quarterly, 33(1), 177–195. https://doi.org/10.2307/20650284
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Woszczynski, A. B., Roth, P. L., & Segars, A. H. (2002). Exploring the theoretical foundations of playfulness in computer interactions. Computers in Human Behavior, 18(4), 369–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(01)00058-9
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yang, Q., & Gong, X. (2021). The engagement–addiction dilemma: An empirical evaluation of mobile user interface and mobile game affordance. Internet Research, 31(5), 1745–1768. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-11-2020-0622
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yang, X., & Teo, H.-H. (2008). The conflict between absorption and self-control in playing computer games: How do free trial restrictions influence playing experience and purchase decision making. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems 2008 (pp. Paper 132). Association for Information Systems.
   Google Scholar
• Yokomitsu, K., Irie, T., Shinkawa, H., & Tanaka, M. (2021). Characteristics of gamers who purchase loot box: A systematic literature review. Current Addiction Reports, 8(4), 481–493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-021-00386-4
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Zhang, P. (2008). Technical opinion Motivational affordances: Reasons for ICT design and use. Communications of the ACM, 51(11), 145–147. https://doi.org/10.1145/1400214.1400244
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhang, P., Li, N., & Sun, H. (2006, January). Affective quality and cognitive absorption: Extending technology acceptance research. In Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (Vol. 8, pp. 207a). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/hicss.2006.39
   Google Scholar
• Zhang, P. (2013). The affective response model: A theoretical framework of affective concepts and their relationships in the ICT context. MIS Quarterly, 37(1), 247–274. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37.1.11
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhang, Z., Nan, G., Li, M., & Tan, Y. (2016). Duopoly pricing strategy for information products with premium service: Free product or bundling? Journal of Management Information Systems, 33(1), 260–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2016.1172457
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhao, Y., Peng, X., Liu, Z., Song, S., & Hansen, P. (2020). Factors that affect asker’s pay intention in trilateral payment‐based social Q&A platforms: From a benefit and cost perspective. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 71(5), 516–528. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24262
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhao, Y., & Tang, J. (2016). Exploring the motivational affordances of Danmaku video sharing websites: Evidence from gamification design. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 467–479). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39513-5_44
   Google Scholar
• Zhao, Y., & Zhu, Q. (2014). Effects of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation on participation in crowdsourcing contest. Online Information Review, 38(7), 896–917. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-08-2014-0188
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhao, Y. C., Zhang, Y., Tang, J., & Song, S. (2020). Affordances for information practices: Theorizing engagement among people, technology, and sociocultural environments. Journal of Documentation, 77(1), 229–250. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2020-0078
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar