Advances in Business & Industrial Marketing Research
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): February - May

Enhanching Gamer Loyalty: Role of Immersiveness and Parasocial Relationship with NPC Characters in Narrative Games

Gatum Ananta Putra (Universitas Airlangga,Surabaya,Indonesia)
Masmira Kurniawati (Universitas Airlangga,Surabaya,Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine how game experience influences player loyalty through immersiveness and parasocial relationships in digital games. Grounded in parasocial interaction theory, this study proposes that game experience enhances immersion and parasocial relationships, which in turn strengthen game loyalty. Research Method: This study employed a quantitative research design using a structured questionnaire distributed through Google Forms and the Kudata platform. The sample consisted of 285 active players of Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, and Honkai: Star Rail. The variables examined include game experience, immersiveness, parasocial relationships, and game loyalty. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 31 to test the proposed relationships among variables. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that game experience does not have a significant direct effect on game loyalty. However, game experience significantly influences immersiveness and parasocial relationships. Immersiveness significantly affects both parasocial relationships and game loyalty, while parasocial relationships have a strong positive effect on game loyalty. These results suggest that player loyalty is shaped indirectly through immersiveness and parasocial relationships, indicating a full mediation mechanism. Implications: Game developers should enhance immersive, character-driven experiences to foster emotional attachment and long-term player loyalty. Originality: This study extends parasocial interaction theory by integrating immersiveness and parasocial relationships as mediating mechanisms in explaining digital game loyalty.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ABIM

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Founded in 2023, Advances in Business & Industrial Marketing Research publishes original research that promises to advance our understanding of Business & Industrial Marketing over diverse topics and research methods. This Journal welcomes research of significance across a wide range of primary and ...