Communications of the ACM
Video Games Can Power p From Merely Fun to Meaningful Experiences
Participants in the study suggested story details in the game were critical to feelings of appreciation. They also indicated more meaningful games were associated with heightened feelings of insight or enrichment.
Credit: Micko1986/iStock
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) researchers have found many video games can have meaningful entertainment experiences for players.
They studied 512 participants' experiences with video games, and learned players not only enjoyed playing games, but also frequently appreciated them at a deeper, more meaningful level. Participants suggested story details in the game were critical to feelings of appreciation, indicating more meaningful games were associated with heightened feelings of insight or enrichment.
"Our research suggests that contrary to stereotypes, games have the potential to be as meaningful to players as other, more esteemed forms of entertainment such as literature or cinema," says PSU professor Mary Beth Oliver.
In addition, video games may provide players the opportunity to experience valuable situations and emotions that other forms of entertainment may not do as frequently, according to the researchers.
The study suggests creating games with more interactive and in-depth story lines could be worth the investment for developers.
"Games have grown from simple point-and-click twitch games to incredibly engrossing emotional experiences, and games now have the potential to give us the same sorts of feelings that great novels and music do," says West Virginia University professor Nick Bowman.
From Penn State News
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