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Measuring Engagement of Spectators of Social Digital Games
Published on: July 3, 2021
Lighting in digital game worlds: effects on affect and play performance.
1Department of Education and Psychology, University of Gävle, Sweden. igor.knez@hig.se
Summary
Warm, reddish lighting in digital games enhances player performance and pleasantness compared to cool, bluish light. This suggests lighting significantly impacts affect and gameplay, especially for skilled players.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Game Studies
Background:
- Nonvisual psychological lighting research has established real-world effects on affect and performance.
- Digital game environments offer a novel context to explore these lighting impacts.
- Understanding lighting's influence on affect is crucial for optimizing player experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of warm (reddish) versus cool (bluish) simulated illumination in digital game worlds.
- To examine how lighting affects game users' affect (pleasantness) and play performance.
- To extend findings from experimental psychology and nonvisual lighting research to digital game contexts.
Main Methods:
- Participants played digital games under simulated warm (reddish) and cool (bluish) lighting conditions.
- Game performance metrics (speed, accuracy) and self-reported affect (pleasantness) were recorded.
- Regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between lighting, affect, and performance.
Main Results:
- Players performed best and fastest in warm (reddish) lit game environments compared to cool (bluish).
- Warm lighting induced higher levels of pleasantness in game users.
- Higher-skilled players showed increased engagement and performed faster, feeling calmer.
Conclusions:
- Warm (reddish) lighting positively influences affect and enhances performance in digital games.
- Player pleasantness, induced by lighting, may be a key factor in improved game performance.
- Game lighting is a significant, yet often overlooked, factor in player experience and engagement, particularly for skilled players.
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