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CyberPsychology & Behavior
Factors Influencing Player Preferences for Heroic Roles in Role-Playing Games

To cite this article:
Shang Hwa Hsu, Ching-Han Kao, Muh-Cherng Wu. CyberPsychology & Behavior. April 2007, 10(2): 293-295. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9955.

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Dr. Shang Hwa Hsu, Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Ching-Han Kao, M.S.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Muh-Cherng Wu, Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Two studies were conducted to investigate whether player personality or social cognition influence preferences for heroic roles in role-playing games (RPG). In Study 1, 149 teenager subjects were categorized into five groups according to the Guilford Personality Inventory. Heroes were clustered into three types based on their attributes. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated that each personality group did not display distinctive preference for any particular heroic type. However, of the three heroic types teenagers most strongly preferred, Justice Warrior was followed, in order of preference, by Visionary Leader and Saint. In Study 2, the influence of three player social cognition factors (similarity, proximity, and familiarity) on player preference for heroic roles was studied. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that similarity and familiarity predicted player preferences for heroic roles.

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