Analysing younger online viewers’ motivation to watch video game live streaming through a positive perspective

Lifu Li; Kyeong Kang; Osama Sohaib

doi:10.58567/jea02020004

Authors

Lifu Li School of Professional Practice and Leadership, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7345-9782
Kyeong Kang School of Professional Practice and Leadership, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4252-9802
Osama Sohaib School of Business, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9287-5995

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58567/jea02020004

Keywords:

Younger online viewer, Video game live streaming, the COVID-19 pandemic, the P-O-D theory, Watching motivation

Abstract

The paper focuses on younger online viewers’ motivation to watch video game live streaming on live streaming platforms. Unlike existing scholars, it analyses younger online viewers’ watching motivation through a positive perspective and draws on the Play-Others-Downtime theory (P-O-D theory) and the motivation theory to establish the research model. By analysing 397 samples based on the variance-based structural equation modelling and partial least squares path modelling (SEM-PLS), the results present that younger viewers’ entertainment, social and leisure purposes positively affect their watching motivation. Control variables (i.e., gender, education background, and income level) demonstrate insignificant effects across the model. Considering the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, watching video game live streaming is essential entertainment and social activities for younger adults. Future studies should identify the positive impact of video game live streaming and guide younger viewers to participate appropriately in this activity.

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