Measuring Engagement In Games

Gamasutra is running an article written by Tim Hong of EmSense in which he describes the research his company did into the physiological reactions various games engender in players. In addition to outward cues like breathing and movement, EmSense also scans brainwaves and heart activity to provide a more complete picture of how a gamer is responding to what he sees and does. They collected hundreds of hours worth of data and made comparisons among a variety of shooters, such as Gears of War 2, F.E.A.R, and Half-Life 2. They found some interesting information on how pacing, tutorials, and cutscenes can affect a player's level of engagement with the games.

Comments

That's just happy, happy, joy, joy.

[Ostracus]

"They were actually surprised to see that people did react strongly when a seemingly important NPC gets killed. I guess they didn't play the original Half Life were people didn't want to get barney killed, even though the character has no consistence at all."

Of course I wanted Barney killed. That purple dinosaur has been vexing me for years.

Re:Just Shooters?

[servognome]

Engagement Test Results:

85% - Half Life 2

Engagement test complete.
Congratulations, a party will be held in honor of your accomplishment. Please proceed to the end of the test chamber, lay face down on the floor, and await pickup.

Cake will be served.