Abstract
In today’s video gaming landscape, loot boxes are a common feature that allows gamers to enhance their gaming experience with special items or char- acters. By purchasing loot boxes, gamers can receive advantages in the game, through items that have objectively better properties. This study explores the mechanisms behind the loot box purchase intention in multiplayer games by con- ceptualizing a framework based on the social fear of missing out and factors from the Protection-Motivation Theory. Data collected from 205 gamers of multi- player games was analyzed using ordinary least squares multiple regression . The findings reveal that social fear of missing out and protection motivation contrib- ute to gamers’ intentions to purchase loot boxes. These results highlight the va- lidity of concerns regarding loot boxes, as social and individual, game-related factors can influence purchase behavior, warranting further investigation.
Recommended Citation
Wetterling, Florian; Kniepkamp, Sophie; Noeltner, Markus; and Kroenung, Julia, "Virtual Temptation: Fear of Missing Out, Protection Motivation and their Joint Impact on Loot Box Behavior" (2024). Wirtschaftsinformatik 2024 Proceedings. 49.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/wi2024/49