Maladaptive emotion regulation and neutralization techniques among struggling multiplayer online battle arena players

Not all multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game players are able to meet the achievement and social goals. In response, they may engage in aggressive behavior towards their teammates. This study uses the emotion regulation (ER) theory and the neutralization theory as theoretical frameworks to determine whether and compare MOBA players who adopt maladaptive ER strategies and neutralization techniques when facing the negative situation of being unable to meet their achievement (achievement scenario) or social (social scenario) game goals inadvertently worsen the situation and affect their expectations during gameplay and intention to continue playing the game. A partial least squares analysis of 333 survey returns (166 and 167 for achievement and social scenarios respectively) revealed that the use of maladaptive ER strategies and neutralization techniques may cause MOBA players to continue to be or in a worse situation as the game continues, particularly if the catastrophizing ER strategy is adopted and the players prioritize social goals over achievement goals. Notably, even players with social goals who have been hurt by their teammates continue to hold social game expectations. The condemnation of the condemner neutralization technique is particularly harmful to players who value the social aspect of MOBA games. Besides being unable to eradicate the issues leading to the negative situation, it lowers social game expectations.