The effect of game playability on avatar identification for mobile role-playing games

Game playability can indicate the game experience affecting the players and can be used as a reference for game design. Additionally, the relationship between game avatars and players is a factor that influences the game experience. This study primarily aims to investigate the relationship between game playability and avatar identification for mobile role-playing games and to determine the different forms of game avatar settings and the effect of playability on game avatar identification through questionnaires. The results of 736 valid questionnaires gathered in Taiwan show the following: (1) Playability significantly reinforces players’ identification with their avatar; (2) Game story has a significant positive influence on avatar identification; (3) The method of role setting will affect the relationship between playability and avatar identification.