The Value Systems of Players and Their Relation to In-Game Behaviour in a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game

Wang Chaoguang (2017)

With regard to the Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory (ECLET) proposed by Graves (1970, 1974, 2005), this study identifies the value systems of Chinese online game players. ECLET provides a new way to look at people's differences through successive personality stages or value systems, each with its predominant way of thinking and behaving. Through examining the characteristics of players’ value systems and their relationships with the in-game behaviour of an online game (which is played by millions of people), this research suggests the application of ECLET in game development from a new perspective. The empirical data pertaining to Chinese individuals provide a foundation for future investigations in Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory and expand the understanding of the relationships between personality and playing features in future research.