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Dead End: the influence of the PC on player emotional state and actions
Thesis   Open access

Dead End: the influence of the PC on player emotional state and actions

Ian C. Woskey
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4259
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Abstract

Digital media Computer games--Design--Psychological aspects Role playing--Computer games--Design
This project endeavors to examine the effect of externalized emotional display of the player character (PC) on the emotional state of the player. It examines the possibility of instilling fear or confidence in the player by expressing emotional cues through PC animations. A large body of work exists examining this relationship on a broad scale, including the effect of presence and embodiment on player identification. In the literature review, a series of evidence is outlined that suggests the PC can have an emotional impact on the player-specifically when the player is feeling a sense of presence-and that emotions affect action. Presence in this context is the degree to which a player feels embodied and immersed in the game world. An action horror game called Dead End was developed to test these hypotheses. The mechanics and setup of the game will be outlined and the process for testing will also be explained. The playtesting was evaluated using digital subjectivities and ethnographic human factors. The quantitative results, based on metrics coded from participant play sessions, show no statistically significant differences in performance or play style. Qualitative results were generated using unstructured participant interviews. The interview results demonstrate that there were noticeable differences in how participants perceived the PC and the game.

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