Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This study’s goal is to determine what key features of horror games make some people want to play them and some not want to play them. The investigation uses specific methods of research to determine the answers to this question, such as a questionnaire and the discussion of various relevant literature. Many sources were analysed and compared to narrow down which of the many features effects a player most. The findings of this project detailed how features such as storylines and music often provide interest to players, encouraging them to play a horror game for the experience they will receive from such attributes, whereas other features can have a detrimental effect, like VR, its immersion overstimulating the player. The overall conclusion to the question suggests that due to the nature of people and subjectivity, that there isn’t a specific feature that necessarily causes someone to avoid playing. Instead, collaborating features purposefully designed to cause emotional distress, providing cause to steer clear of horror games, or more positively, thrill sensation seeking generating the curiosity that a player takes advantage of to test their limits.

Course: Computer Games Technology - BSc (Hons) - C1671

Date Deposited: 2022-10-28

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14035.html