Let the Games Begin: Finding The Nascent Entrepreneurial Mindset of Video Gamers

Abstract

This study explores nascent ‘entrepreneurial’ cognitive factors within the minds of video gamers. The objective is to theorize how certain gamification activities might be designed to enable the development of entrepreneurial behavior. While studies have begun to posit the range cognitive factors that result in the emergence of entrepreneurial action, more conceptualization work is needed to understand nascent conditions and activities that might foster the entrepreneurial mindset; especially within the gaming design context. This exploratory study uses a sample of 217 self-reported gamers and suggests that individuals who exhibit high levels of entrepreneurial orientation have enhanced opportunity recognition capabilities when the frequency of playing video games is also high. It was also found that shooting games have the highest effect on the development of opportunity recognition. This suggests that certain game activities may be designed to enhance entrepreneurial cognitive development; which has implications for the entrepreneurial intent literature and game-designers.