MOTIVATION FACTORS AFFECTING FOR ESPORT PLAYERS IN THAILAND

Nuttavut  Phonsri; Boonyada  Pahasing; Nathayu  Wantayakul; Pornchai Trusjaithum

Nuttavut Phonsri Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Boonyada Pahasing Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Nathayu Wantayakul Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Pornchai Trusjaithum Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand

Keywords: Motivation, Esports players, Esports

Abstract

Esports in Thailand were recognized as a professional sport in 2021, influencing the increase of a number of esports players. This study “Motivation Factors Affecting for Esport Players” aims to investigate esports behavior and motivations influencing decision-making to participate in esports. This is quantitative research. The sample consists of 400 esports players in Bangkok. The sample was collected using stratified sampling, simple random sampling, and a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using frequency, mean, percentage, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
The results showed that most of the samples were male 70.5 %, average age 19.65 years, average of playing hour per day was 6.03 hours per day. Most popular game genres include: 1) Adventure Game, 2) FPS (Action First Person Shooter Game), and 3) Fighting Game. The level of total motivation influencing the decision to participate in esports was high (=3.45). Esports graphics (=3.92) were the most important factor of extrinsic motivation, followed by esports content (=3.86). The intrinsic motivation was the desire to win the competition (=3.81), and the intention to participate in esports was moderate (=3.04). The results of the analysis using multiple linear regression showed that all of the independent variables in the equation were predictive variables, accounting for 65.6% of the variation in the dependent variables, with the remaining 34.4% due to other causes.
The research findings can be used in marketing planning. Based on the information of esports players, it can be used as a guideline for planning game development. Organizations related to esports have established a policy to support players esports to professional sports in the future. Furthermore, this research suggests that organizations involved in esports should have a plan or policy in place to promote Thailand as a center for organizing both national and international competitions, as well as prepare a manual of the pros and cons of esports in order to create a positive attitude for those involved directly and indirectly.