Online games, player experiences in

The systematic description and explanation of people spending time with video (or computer) games is a relatively new topic for communication research. Theories, models, concepts, and the theoretical constructs that have been used in order to describe and explain these player experiences are not entirely new. They have been developed in different areas of psychology and communication and have only now been applied to playing online games. This entry systematizes player experiences along a list of well-established constructs such as arousal, suspense, identification, flow, presence, involvement and immersion, and enjoyment, as well as in relation to the three motivations conceptualized in self-determination theory.