Affective Gaming And Ghosts In The Machine

Thanks to the IGDA for its 'Ivory Tower' column discussing the concept of 'affective gaming' - provoking more intense emotions in videogame players. The academic-authored piece reveals: "At Glasgow Caledonian University, we are currently looking specifically at those environments which are renowned for producing supernatural experiences. By modelling and adapting reputedly haunted places in Edinburgh, UK we have been able to create game environments which evoke ghostlike experience for approximately 60% of people who experience it." They also claim game creators could change content based on the gamer's mood, since "...the affective state of the player can be determined by how they use the gamepad. Not only does the pressure of button depression indicate the level of player arousal, but also the rate at which a button is pressed and eventually released indicates the emotion felt by a player."

Comments

Re:This demonstrates that ghosts are hogwash?

[Beekhuis]

i do not completely agree here.
in the computer model there are factors that adapt to its player. also they stated that it passed on the "feeling" to 60% of the players. is that the same 40% that is a sceptic in normal life? the same 40% that sleeps in haunted or creepy places without problems? or is the 40% indicating that the modelling dudes have a lot of work left to do?
this gives me the "feeling" for a situation to be spooky, besides other factors, environmental adaptation seems mandatory. id love to hear a perfectly logical explanation for how a "dead" environment is able to adapt to its live visitor.

anyway, another and perhaps the biggest factor in spooky situations is the subjects own mind that fills in all the gaps. i think that this is why for example the blair witch was a hit. because of all the faulty cam work, people are forced to fill in the gaps them selves. thus making it all very personal and scary.
for the modelling dudes, the creation of such a setting would be the easy part? Regards !

Emotional Response

[Mythfit]

If you want more emotional response from the players, then start hiring real writers and professional actors who know what they are doing. Instead of having your voiceovers done by Willie the stock room boy.