The Impact of Online Gaming Intensity on Students’ Learning Motivation in the Digital Era
Keywords:
Online Gaming, Learning Motivation, Gaming Intensity, Higher Education, Academic BehaviorAbstract
The rapid development of digital technology has positioned online gaming as a dominant form of entertainment and social interaction among university students. This phenomenon presents complex implications for learning motivation, which plays a crucial role in academic success. This study aims to analyze the influence of online gaming on students’ learning
motivation using a conceptual approach based on a literature review. Data were derived from national and international scientific journals published within the last five years, complemented by relevant scholarly sources.
The findings indicate that high intensity of online gaming tends to negatively affect learning motivation, as reflected in decreased
concentration, reduced interest in academic activities, and poor time management between study and leisure. Students with excessive gaming habits are also more likely to experience lower academic discipline and delays in completing assignments. However, the study also reveals that certain types of games—particularly those incorporating educational and
strategic elements—can positively influence learning motivation when used in a controlled and balanced manner.
It can be concluded that the impact of online gaming on learning motivation is conditional and context-dependent, influenced by factors such as gaming intensity, type of game, and students’ self-regulation abilities. This study provides important insights for educators and higher education institutions in developing effective strategies to maintain and enhance students’ learning motivation in the digital era
Downloads
References
Alzahrani, A. K. D., & Griffiths, M. D. (2025). Problematic Gaming and Students’ Academic
Performance: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Mental Health and
Addiction, 23(5), 4062–4095. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01338-5
Anis, D. D. N., & Murniasih, F. (2025). Unraveling Academic Procrastination: The Roles of
Self-Efficacy, Online Game Addiction, and Peer Conformity in University Students.
Journal An-Nafs: Kajian Penelitian Psikologi, 10(1), 60–71.
https://doi.org/10.33367/psi.v10i1.7020
Dave, A. (2025). Video Game Engagement And Academic Achievement: A Correlational
Study. Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management, 10(43s), 657
https://doi.org/10.52783/jisem.v10i43s.8463
Kaya, B., & Sarpkaya, A. (2025). Over-gaming burns me out: The indirect role of academic
procrastination between digital game addiction severity and school burnout among
adolescents. School Psychology International, 46(5), 499–518.
https://doi.org/10.1177/01430343251376767
Luo, Y., Ye, C., Zhao, Y., & Zhang, H. (2023). Violent online game contact and academic
procrastination: A moderated mediation model. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23103
Nadeem, M., Oroszlanyova, M., & Farag, W. (2023). Effect of Digital Game-Based Learning
on Student Engagement and Motivation. Computers, 12(9), 177.
https://doi.org/10.3390/computers12090177
Saefullah, A., Arza, Z., Hidayatullah, S., Candra, H., & Nurdin, N. (2026). Metodologi
Penelitian (Vol. 1). CV. Bravo Press Indonesia. https://www.bravopress
Ganesha Digital Business Review
Vol. 1(1), 2026: 15 - 21
Stevens, C., Zhang, E., Cherkerzian, S., Chen, J. A., & Liu, C. H. (2020). Problematic
internet use/computer gaming among US college students: Prevalence and correlates
with mental health symptoms. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23094
Sun, R.-Q., Sun, G.-F., & Ye, J.-H. (2023). The effects of online game addiction on reduced
academic achievement motivation among Chinese college students: The mediating
role of learning engagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185353
Yu, Z., Gao, M., & Wang, L. (2021). The Effect of Educational Games on Learning
Outcomes, Student Motivation, Engagement and Satisfaction. Journal of Educational
Computing Research, 59(3), 522–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633120969214
Zameri, N. I. H. M., Mahmud, M. I., & Johari, K. S. K. (2024). The Influence of Online
Gaming Addiction on Students’ Learning Performance. International Journal of
Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(6), Article 6.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
