research-article

Choosing to Help Monsters: A Mixed-Method Examination of Meaningful Choices in Narrative-Rich Games and Interactive Narratives

Authors:

Sharon T. Steinemann,

Klaus OpwisAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '18: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Paper No.: 341, Pages 1 - 13

https://doi.org/10.1145/3173574.3173915

Published: 21 April 2018 Publication History

Abstract

The potential of narrative-rich games to impact emotions, attitudes, and behavior brings with it exciting opportunities and implications within both entertainment and serious game contexts. However, effects are not always consistent, potentially due to game choices not always being perceived as meaningful by the players. To examine these perceptual variations, we used a mixed-method approach. A qualitative study first investigated meaningful game choices from the players' perspectives. Building on the themes developed in this first study, a quantitative study experimentally examined the effect of meaningful game choices on player experiences of appreciation, enjoyment, and narrative engagement. Results highlight the importance of moral, social, and consequential characteristics in creating meaningful game choices, which positively affected appreciation. Meaningfulness of game choices may therefore be crucial for narrative-rich games and interactive narratives to impact players.

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Cited By

Devasia NLee J(2024)The role of narrative in misinformation gamesHarvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review10.37016/mr-2020-158Online publication date: 26-Sep-2024
https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-158
Yin MXiao R(2024)How We See Changes How We Feel: Investigating the Effect of Visual Point-of-View on Decision-Making in VR EnvironmentsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36869338:CSCW2(1-27)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3686933
Yin MXiao R(2024)Press A or Wave: User Expectations for NPC Interactions and Nonverbal Behaviour in Virtual RealityProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770988:CHI PLAY(1-25)Online publication date: 15-Oct-2024
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Index Terms

Choosing to Help Monsters: A Mixed-Method Examination of Meaningful Choices in Narrative-Rich Games and Interactive Narratives
1. Applied computing
  1. Computers in other domains
    1. Personal computers and PC applications
  2. Law, social and behavioral sciences

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '18: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

April 2018

8489 pages

ISBN:9781450356206

DOI:10.1145/3173574

General Chairs:
Regan Mandryk
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
,
Mark Hancock
University of Waterloo, Canada
,
Program Chairs:
Mark Perry
Brunel University London, UK
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Anna Cox
University College London, UK

Copyright © 2018 ACM.

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Published: 21 April 2018

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Cited By

Devasia NLee J(2024)The role of narrative in misinformation gamesHarvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review10.37016/mr-2020-158Online publication date: 26-Sep-2024
https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-158
Yin MXiao R(2024)How We See Changes How We Feel: Investigating the Effect of Visual Point-of-View on Decision-Making in VR EnvironmentsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36869338:CSCW2(1-27)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3686933
Yin MXiao R(2024)Press A or Wave: User Expectations for NPC Interactions and Nonverbal Behaviour in Virtual RealityProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770988:CHI PLAY(1-25)Online publication date: 15-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677098
Yin MWang ENg CXiao R(2024)Lies, Deceit, and Hallucinations: Player Perception and Expectations Regarding Trust and Deception in GamesProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642253(1-15)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642253
Yu VIbasco GChen BChen V(2023)A Moderated Mediation Analysis of Meaningfulness and Positive Intergroup Outcomes Through Prosocial GameplaySimulation and Gaming for Social Impact10.1007/978-3-031-37171-4_15(217-227)Online publication date: 19-Jul-2023
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37171-4_15
Yin MXiao R(2022)How Should I Respond to “Good Morning?”: Understanding Choice in Narrative-Rich GamesProceedings of the 2022 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference10.1145/3532106.3533459(726-744)Online publication date: 13-Jun-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3532106.3533459
Hirsch LWelsch RRossmy BButz A(2022)Embedded AR Storytelling Supports Active Indexing at Historical PlacesProceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction10.1145/3490149.3501328(1-12)Online publication date: 13-Feb-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3490149.3501328
Wibowo TChe Pee AAhmad I(2022)An Analysis of Video Games Genre as Moral Educational Game2022 IEEE International Conference of Computer Science and Information Technology (ICOSNIKOM)10.1109/ICOSNIKOM56551.2022.10034917(1-7)Online publication date: 19-Oct-2022
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICOSNIKOM56551.2022.10034917
Isnanda RSantosa PHartanto R(2022)Examining The Effects of Playing Difficulty and Playing Duration in Unwinnable Persuasive Games2022 International Conference on Computer and Applications (ICCA)10.1109/ICCA56443.2022.10039586(1-7)Online publication date: 20-Dec-2022
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Cantrell YZhu X(2022)Choice-based games and resilience building of gender nonconforming individuals: a phenomenological studyDigital Transformation and Society10.1108/DTS-08-2022-00391:2(198-218)Online publication date: 20-Sep-2022
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