• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.53-75
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• 2020

Purpose Despite the continued rise in the popularity of mobile MMORPGs, the previous studies mainly focused on negative results of playing MMORPG such as violence and game addiction. In addition, previous studies that verified game play motives were not enough to explain user's fundamental motives for MMORPG play. To verify the positive role of playing MMORPG, this study focused on stress coping strategies on continued play MMORPG, and divided factors into two dimensions: escapism and coping with system. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively identify the discriminatory effects of each factor on users' self-control, and the effect of self-constrol and behavioral adapatation on continued use intention for MMORPG. Design/methodology/approach This study was designed to examine the structural relationships among MMORPG users' escapism, system coping, self-control, behavioral adaptation and continued use intention for MMORPG. Findings The results from this study are as follow. First, the participants' effect-based escapism had a positive impact on self-control, whereas cause-based escapism had a negative impact on self-control. Next, proactive coping and reactive coping for system problem had a positive impact on self-control. In addition, Self-control had a positive impact on behavioral adaptation and continued use intention for MMORPG. Lastly, the behavioral adaptation to MMORPG had a positive impact continued use intention. The results of our study can suggest the positive effects of coping strategy on users' self-control and behavioral adaptation by applying the theory of both escapism and coping with system. Based on our results, game companies should develop contents that can gratify users' coping motives and enhance self-control and behavioral adaptation.