If behaviour is about what players do, then motivation is about why they do it. It’s possible that you might want to recruit players not by the games they play, but by what drives them to play it. For example it may not be important that a player has played a specific narrative-driven game, but it is important that they enjoy narrative-driven games in general, and that component is key in their decision making on what games they play.

Consider what lies at the heart of your game, what are the motivators that you hope will keep people engaged in each session and also encourage them to return. Here are some generic motivators that can apply to most games:

• Story - wanting to see what happens next

• Customising - the ability to express yourself

• Strategy - ‘what if I ...’

• Social - connecting with others, playing with friends

• Challenge - improving your skills - beating yourself

• Competition - beating other human players

• Completion - collect them all, getting all trophies

• Relaxation - passing the time, cosy games

Most games have a combination of multiple motivators, not just one, so when recruiting you might want to aim for players who enjoy all the motivators that your game has to offer, or just focus on your game’s core motivators.

Be aware that players may not be able to articulate why they like the games they do, they may not be aware of the underlying reasons.

Note: it is of very high importance that your team aligns on what your game’s core motivators are.

Key Takeaway

Understanding what motivates players to play certain games or genres will help you recruit the most suitable players for your playtest. Aim for a match between the motivators your game offers, and what selected players enjoy.

Next: 28. Defining Players - Attitudes