Positive Emotions Associated with "Counter-Strike" Game Playing.
Mirim Shin1, Rob Heard2, Chao Suo3
11 Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney , Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia .
Games for Health Journal
|July 21, 2015
Summary
Playing "Counter-Strike" (CS) elicits positive emotions, as evidenced by electroencephalography (EEG) alpha asymmetry index (AI) changes. This study confirms that digital game engagement can be pleasurable, correlating with happiness ratings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Digital game playing is a popular activity often associated with prolonged engagement.
- Digital games can evoke a range of emotions, both positive and negative.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) and its alpha asymmetry index (AI) can measure emotional states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emotional responses elicited by playing the digital game "Counter-Strike" (CS).
- To test the hypothesis that CS gameplay is pleasurable and can be demonstrated by a positive EEG AI.
Main Methods:
- EEG recordings were conducted on 12 male participants (ages 18-30) during and after CS gameplay.
- Control conditions included baseline, movement, sound, and screen-only exposure to game elements.
- Participants provided subjective emotional ratings pre-, during, and postgame.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in EEG AI was observed postgame compared to screen-only exposure.
- Positive EEG AI was associated with "shoot" events, while negative AI correlated with "being shot" events.
- Subjective reports indicated happiness during and postgame, with anger and arousal reported only during gameplay.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that playing CS elicits predominantly positive emotional reactions.
- Subjective happiness ratings align with the objective EEG measures.
- Further research should explore the link between game pleasure and potential obsessive gameplay patterns.
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