“How do natural childhood fears affect the overall experience of video gaming?”
Kremer, Deline-Isabeau
Kremer, Deline-Isabeau
Publication Date
End of Embargo
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The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
Peer-Reviewed
Open Access status
Accepted for publication
Institution
University of Bradford
Department
School of Built Environment, Architecture & Creative Industries. Faculty of Engineering &Digital Technologies
Awarded
2023
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Abstract
The gaming industry, particularly the horror genre, has grown in popularity, especially among adult players. This study explores how horror game design draws from childhood fears, a gap in current research. It examines how childhood fears influence horror game experiences, players' relation to darkness, and parental influence on fear processing. Preliminary research identified effective game design techniques. Participants played an experimental horror game, "The Unmasked," followed by a
questionnaire capturing their gaming experiences and childhood concerns, immediately after the game and a few days later, exploring its impact. The findings emphasize the alignment of the experimental game with established game design theories, such as monster theory and the uncanny valley, particularly regarding jump-scares. They reveal the lasting impact of concontextual storytelling elements on players' consciousness beyond gameplay. Music, especially audio cues from unknown sources, was noted as frightening, even when passive. Additionally, the study identifies nuances in monster depictions, especially when their hostility diminishes, and highlights the role of environmental factors, like weather, in evoking fear—a relatively underexplored aspect in horror games.
The research suggests a synthesis between horror gaming and childhood fears, indicating that the supernatural elements and unconventional rules in horror games resonate with the innate curiosity and exploration found in childhood development. This work highlights the connection between gaming techniques and primal psychological instincts, offering insights into the dynamics behind horror gaming's allure and emphasizing the need for further research in childhood psychology to advance game design.
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Type
Thesis
Qualification name
MPhil