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Cited by 58Educational Games and GamificationDigital Games and MediaMotivation and Self-Concept in Sports

Self-Determination Theory and HCI Games Research: Unfulfilled Promises and Unquestioned Paradigms

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Tyack, April, Mekler, Elisa D.·2024·ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
DOI 10.1145/3673230
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Abstract

Self-determination theory (SDT), a psychological theory of human motivation, is a prominent paradigm in human–computer interaction (HCI) research on games. However, our prior literature review observed a trend towards shallow applications of the theory. This follow-up work takes a broader view—examining SDT scholarship on games, a wider corpus of SDT-based HCI games research (N = 259), and perspectives from a games industry practitioner conference—to help explain current applications of SDT. Our findings suggest that perfunctory applications of the theory in HCI games research originate in part from within SDT scholarship on games, which itself exhibits limited engagement with theoretical tenets. Against this backdrop, we unpack the popularity of SDT in HCI games research and identify conditions underlying the theory’s current use as an oft-unquestioned paradigm. Finally, we outline avenues for more productive SDT-informed games research and consider ways towards more intentional practices of theory use in HCI.

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  • Gamification can foster genuine intrinsic motivation when designed to support psychological needs rather than merely control behaviour.

    “The streak mechanism satisfied competence needs through progress feedback while supporting autonomy through voluntary participation, suggesting - as Tyack and Mekler (2024) argue - that gamification can foster genuine intrinsic motivation when designed to support psychological needs rather than merely control behaviour.”

    From An Experimental Analysis of Gamification’s Impact on Customer Engagement and Retention in Subscription-Based Business Models (2026) · cites this paper as Tyack and Mekler (2024)

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Authors
Tyack, A., & Mekler, E. D.
Affiliations
IT University of Copenhagen (DK)
ORCID
Mekler, Elisa D.
Venue
ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Published
2024-06-30
Volume
31
Issue
3
Pages
1-74
ISSN
  • 1073-0516 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7325
DOI
10.1145/3673230
OpenAlex
W4398230189
Cited by
57
References
508
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 1
FWCI
44.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (publishedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • IT University Of Copenhagen (IT University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • European Commission
  • HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council (101043198)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Games and Media
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Keywords
self-determination theory, game design, motivation, research paradigms

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