From clicks to constructs: Valorant player profiles and the link to motivation, experience, and wellbeing
Date
2026
Authors
Duco, Jim
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
Unpacking the complex relationship between players' in-game behaviours and psychosocial factors is necessary to differentiate when gaming leads to benefits versus harms, which can inform public policy and research. This study explores how different patterns of play in Valorant relate to player motivation, experience, and wellbeing. Using publicly available game data from 1,974 players and self-reported psychosocial survey data from a subset of 160 participants, we apply a clustering approach to identify distinct player profiles. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) reduces behavioural variables into 14 latent factors, which are then analyzed using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to reveal eight gameplay profiles characterized by differences in playstyle, performance, and social behaviour.
The profiles are subsequently linked to measures of psychological needs, motivation, wellbeing, and potential problematic gaming indicators. Results suggest that gaming outcomes are shaped more by how, when, why, and with whom individuals play rather than by the game itself. The findings highlight the diversity of player experiences and demonstrate how behavioural clustering can generate insights about gaming and wellbeing without requiring fully labelled datasets, providing a foundation for future causal and longitudinal research.
Description
Keywords
gaming, wellbeing, motivation, clustering, LPA, player-profiles, Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)