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Self-control and demand for commitment in online game playing: evidence from a field experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Dan Acland  and
Vinci Chow
Dan Acland*
Affiliation:
University of California, 2607 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Vinci Chow
Affiliation:
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
*
e-mail: acland@berkeley.edu
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Abstract

We conduct an experiment on an online game, exploring the effect on gameplay behavior of voluntary commitment devices that allow players to limit their gameplay. Approximately 25% of players use the devices. Median and 75th percentile device users use devices approximately 60 and 100% of the time, respectively. Players who chose to use the device were those who had previously played longer and more frequently than those who chose not to use the device. Offering the commitment devices decreased session length and session frequency by 2.8 and 6.1%, respectively, while increasing weeks of play by 5.5%. Our results are consistent with some players having self-identified self-control problems, leading to longer and more frequent play than they would prefer, and to demand for commitment, and also with commitment devices creating a more rewarding experience, leading to longer-lasting involvement with the game. Our results suggest incentivizing or requiring commitment devices in computer games.

Keywords

Online gamesSelf-controlCommitment devicesOnline experimentLibertarian paternalism

JEL classification

C93: Field Experiments D91: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making‡
Type
Original Paper
Information
Journal of the Economic Science Association , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , July 2018 , pp. 46 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 Economic Science Association

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