DESIGNING COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION - A MULTI-METHOD APPROACH.

Recently several studies have worked towards understanding player engagement in video games. Despite multiple approaches used, understanding of the topic remains incomplete due to its complexity and fast changing nature. Rooted in assumptions of the social identity approach, this study proposes identification with the player community as a predictor of engagement and prolonged retention in video games, while using the economically successful video games Fortnite and League of Legends as cases. To that end, we plan to conduct a multi-method study. First, we will test the relationship between engagement and community identification via quantitative data obtained from an online survey. Second, a structured workshop will be held with a focus group in order to derive a testable design theory holding the potential to increase players' identification with the game community. Preliminary results indicate that identification is a particularly meaningful predictor of community engagement confirming the underlying idea of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]