Investigating gaming structural features associated with gaming disorder and proposing a revised taxonomical model: A scoping review

Abstract

Background and aimsGaming disorder (GD) is a mental health concern that has been heavily contested by experts. This scoping review synthesizes the literature to identify the structural features of video game design that can contribute to GD. Furthermore, a taxonomy of the structural features implicated with GD is proposed, revised from earlier work.MethodsSeven databases, in addition to Google Scholar, were searched. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they assessed a link between gaming structural characteristics and GD or a proxy. The final pool included 105 articles.ResultsAvatar creation and customizability, multiplayer characteristics, and reward and punishment features were highly represented in the literature. There was no evidence for three categories in the original taxonomy: support network features, sexual content, and explicit language. Furthermore, structural feature sub-categories emerged that were absent from the previous taxonomy, such as general socialization features, type of virtual world, and in-game currency. Manipulation and control features and presentation features were less represented than social features, narrative and identity features, and reward and punishment features. The reviewers propose two broad classes of addictive gaming structural features: ‘features enhancing in-game immersion and realism’ and ‘gambling-like features’.Discussion and conclusionsNumerous studies found a relationship between social, narrative and identity, and reward and punishment structural characteristics with GD. Two broad classes of gaming structural features were associated with addiction. The first, ‘features enhancing in-game immersion and realism,’ including social gameplay, avatar creation, storytelling, and graphics/sound. The second, ‘gambling-like features,’ included different mechanisms of rewards-and-punishment.

Development of the Saini-Hodgins Addiction Risk Potential of Games (SHARP-G) Scale: An International Delphi study

“…The goal of achieving consensus was accomplished by conducting a Delphi methodology, which was considered suitable given the exploratory nature and lack of understanding of the intrinsic determinants of GD. A scoping review of the available literature provided an initial pool of features that the experts supplemented based on their expertise ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ). The final set of features fell into four categories: “Multiplayer/Social Gameplay Features,” “Extrinsic to Game Features,” “Intrinsic to Game Features,” and “Gambling-Like Game Features.” A preliminary scale, termed the SHARP-G tool, was hypothesized to assess the potential addictiveness of specific games was proposed and illustrated by a case example.…”

“…A list and description of structural features that might be linked to addiction were devised from the existing review ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ). In the first round of this study, participants were asked to rate the potential of these structural characteristics to illicit addictive gameplay behaviors.…”

“…Two of the lead authors of this study, N.S. and D.C.H., recently ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ) conducted a broad scoping review to examine the literature on the associations of gaming structural features and GD. We summarized the findings in a novel taxonomy that included two broader categories: ‘structural features promoting game realism’ and ‘gambling-like structural features’ ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ).…”

“…and D.C.H., recently ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ) conducted a broad scoping review to examine the literature on the associations of gaming structural features and GD. We summarized the findings in a novel taxonomy that included two broader categories: ‘structural features promoting game realism’ and ‘gambling-like structural features’ ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ). This review summarized the preliminary work done towards understanding the potential of problematic game design in promoting GD.…”

“…This review summarized the preliminary work done towards understanding the potential of problematic game design in promoting GD. However, this approach to research is confirmatory and not necessarily comprehensive as it is largely predicated on prior research on structural features promoting gaming behaviors and/or addiction ( Saini & Hodgins, 2023 ). Therefore, there is a need for further research to identify, describe, and quantify potentially addictive gaming structural features that may have been overlooked.…”