The Effect Of Participation Intensity In Online Games On Students' Side Income Opportunities In Manado City

Abstract

This study examines the effect of online-game participation intensity on opportunities for students to earn supplementary income in Manado City. An associative quantitative survey design was employed. Primary data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire administered to 60 active university students in Manado who played online games. The analysis included validity and reliability tests, classical assumption tests, Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, a t-test, and the coefficient of determination. All questionnaire items were valid, while Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.849 for participation intensity and 0.890 for income opportunity indicated good internal consistency. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between the variables (r = 0.766; p < 0.001). The estimated regression equation was Y = 5.482 + 0.781X, with t = 9.070 and p < 0.001. The R² value of 0.587 indicates that participation intensity explained 58.7% of the variation in supplementary-income opportunities. Greater involvement in online games may therefore expand monetization opportunities through streaming, content creation, tournaments, and digital services or asset transactions. Nevertheless, gaming intensity must be accompanied by digital skills, ethical conduct, and time management to generate economic value without undermining academic responsibilities