title: Effectance and control as determinants of video game enjoyment.
abstract: This article explores video game enjoyment originated by games' key characteristic, interactivity. An online experiment (N=500) tested experiences of effectance (perceived influence on the game world) and of being in control as mechanisms that link interactivity to enjoyment. A video game was manipulated to either allow normal play, reduce perceived effectance, or reduce perceived control. Enjoyment ratings suggest that effectance is an important factor in video game enjoyment but that the relationship between control of the game situation and enjoyment is more complex.
authors: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Mainz, Germany. klimmt@uni-mainz.de
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Klimmt
authors: Tilo
authors: T
authors: Hartmann
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Frey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010988:Play and Playthings; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games