‘Migrating to a new virtual world’: Exploring MMORPG switching through human migration theory

► We apply the real-world PPM migration model to study the MMORPG switching of gamers. ► “Cyber migration” displays both similar and contrasting patterns compared to reality. ► The similarities lie in the dominant role played by mooring and pull effects. ► The “push effects” is no longer concerns for online gamers. Online gaming has become a popular leisure-time activity. In this study, we enlisted and adapted the Push–Pull–Mooring model, which analyzes human migratory behavior based on the Demographic Migration Theory, to study the game switching of gamers. Data was obtained via an empirical survey of 654 online gamers and then was analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. The results indicate that the Push–Pull–Mooring model can be extended to explain the switching intentions of online gamers. The “mooring effect” appears to have a stronger influence on the player’s switching intention than the “pull effect”, while the “push effect” appears to have no influence at all. We discuss the implications of our findings and offer possible avenues of exploration for managers of online game providers in order to help them understand their customers better.