Clustering Esports Gameplay Consumers via Game Experiences

Abstract

This study focuses on “game experiences” in the context of esports gameplay consumption and aims to identify adequate consumer groups based on their esports experience including perceptions of gameplay, watching, and purchasing hardware. The purpose of this study is to identify adequate consumer groups through consumer segmentation. Based on the literature review, a matrix of esports gameplay was proposed based on high/low esports gameplay, viewing esports, and hardware enthusiasm. Four esports gameplay consumer groups are proposed (all-around gamer, conventional player, observer, recreational gamer) based on their prior esports experiences (esports gameplay, viewing esports content via media, and hardware enthusiasm). A total of 699 usable observations were initially collected by the online survey. Eventually, 508 observations were retained (127 for each group) for multivariate analysis of variance and subsequent univariate tests. The findings indicated the four esports gameplay consumer groups were empirically supported. Furthermore, this study found similarities and differences for each group based on the six antecedents of esports gameplay intention. The findings indicated hedonic motivation and price value might be considered general factors that may be applied to all esports consumers. Contrarily, the findings indicated that social influence, habit, effort expectancy, and flow might be suitable for tailored marketing strategies targeting esports consumer groups. Theoretically, the suggested esports experience will contribute to the growing body of knowledge aimed at understanding esports consumers' behavior through the consistent clustering of behavioral prior experience. Practically, the proposed esports consumers' clustering will contribute to more efficient marketing, with spending on more targeted marketing leading to effectively reaching the right people.