What Factors Determine the Usage of Online Games One Year Later?

Heavy usage of online games may negatively affect the gamer's health and take a toll on school performance. However, to date, no study has utilized a longitudinal design to identify predictors of heavy usage of online games after a year of play. This study thus refers to relevant theories (e.g., flow theory and habitual theory), investigates potential correlates of game play and examines which correlates predicted the likelihood of a gamer's heavy usage after one year of play. In total, 1,852 online gamers were recruited in the first wave of this two-wave study. The results identify several predictors of heavy usage of online games, including skill and flow, and the findings enable the identification of, and the development of interventions for, individuals likely to be heavy online gamers.