Measuring Flow While Playing Computer Mediated Games: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a flow model (F-model) and its operationalizations ability to measure flow. This flow model differs from the ones presented in existing research through its operationalization and differentiation between experiences with the task and experiences with the artifact. The focus of this research is the intrinsically motivated, flow dependent task of playing computer mediated games. The artifacts used are a game console and a mobile phone. Use of the F-model generated rich data of the test persons ’ experiences and feelings while playing a computer mediated game. It provided data that indicated differences between the artifact and the task and their influence on the flow experience. Although the F-model worked well the need to give more stringent definitions to some of the concepts in order get a better operationalization is found