The role of motivation to change and mindsets in a game promoted for mental health

•The impact of motivational factors on engagement with mental health games is unknown.•Engagement with a commercial video game promoted as a mental health game was examined.•Motivation to change and mindsets did not influence willingness to play nor engagement.•Stress was seen as less debilitating after playing a game promoted for mental health.•Explicitly promoting the mental health benefits of games may be beneficial.