Exploring Inaction Inertia and Proactive Procrastination among MMORPG Players

Abstract

Understanding the behavioral dynamics of players in and outside of games is essential for game designers, marketers, and researchers in psychological and behavioral assessment fields. This study examines variations in inaction inertia and proactive procrastination among players of the acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, focusing on the disparities between clearly defined "hardcore" and "casual" players' behaviors during gameplay and in their daily lives. We employ a questionnaire-based approach—drawing on both self-constructed items about in-game engagement and established scales for out - of - game behavior — to determine (1) whether inaction inertia and proactive procrastination manifest differently across these player groups within the gaming context and (2) whether those same tendencies transfer to real-life situations. Our results confirm that hardcore players exhibit significantly stronger inaction inertia during gameplay than casual players, whereas both groups increase proactive procrastination when engaging with content they deem familiar. However, neither inaction inertia nor proactive procrastination observed in-game corresponds directly to patterns seen outside the game, indicating that separate mechanisms underlie in-game versus real-world behaviors. We discuss possible reasons for this divergence—such as the role of avatar identification, immersion as a form of "conscio us simulation," and the notion of a "digital double life"—and outline directions for continued research to map boundary conditions between virtual and real-world self- regulation strategies.