Joseph TuDerrick WangLydia ChoongAj AbistadoStuart HallifaxKatja RogersLennart Nacke2024-12-192024-12-192024-12-122832-551610.1145/3696800https://hdl.handle.net/10012/21281This is the author’s version of the work. It is posted here for your personal use. Not for redistribution. The definitive Version of Record was published in ACM Games: Research and Practice, Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2025: https://doi.org/10.1145/3700628.The tabletop games industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. A deeper exploration of the factors motivating players to invest time and money in these games would help game companies better cater to their target audience and increase profits. We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews with tabletop game players. Our analysis revealed five themes concerning purchasing decision influences: (1) childhood past experiences and cultural norms, (2) representation and inclusivity, (3) social connections and shared fun, (4) overcoming gameplay hindrances with digital assistance, and (5) economic constraints. These findings suggest that game companies should focus on presenting easily understandable information, minimizing idle time, and exploring opportunities for inclusivity in digital interactions to effectively engage players and drive sales. Based on our valuable insights into player motivations, we offer actionable recommendations for the tabletop games industry.enArticle