How to Catch ’Em All? An Investigation of Personality and Gameplay Styles in Pokémon GO

Abstract

Pokémon GO is a 2016 augmented reality (AR) video game requiring players to move around in the real world and catch Pokémon to complete their collection. Examining different gameplay styles and user psychology in AR games can provide important insights for gameplay design. As multiple self- and other-beneficial strategies can be used to advance in the game, the present study investigated personality and behavioral correlates of four kinds of gameplay: independent, social-dependent, active, and invested. A multinational sample of urrent Pokémon GO players was recruited (N = 516, Mage = 28.83 years, SD = 9.25) and responded to measures of bright and dark personality traits, as well as a questionnaire on Pokémon GO gameplay behaviors. Results indicated that older players and those with multiple accounts were more likely to engage in most forms of gameplay; further, women were less likely to be active players. Among personality traits, psychopathy was a strong predictor of independent, social-dependent, and invested gameplay; agreeableness explained social-dependent strategies in line with social exchange theory; conscientiousness was associated with being a regular player; and fairness contributed to spending more money on the game (invested gameplay). Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.