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Abstract

Video games research has focused on mitigating the negative effect of the Uncanny Valley. This phenomenon is known to make players feel uncomfortable and scared, which reduces immersion in most genres. However, this study aims to determine whether the Uncanny Valley is a viable design tool for the horror genre because it causes these feelings.
This was done by proposing a new relationship between Uncanny Valley sensitivity, personality traits, and gaming genre preferences. This relationship was analysed using a mixed methods design and has found relationships between all three variables. The novel relationship described within this study suggests that the Uncanny Valley should be considered when designing horror game characters, however these characters must be categorised into a specific interval of human likeness for the phenomenon to affect players. More research needs to be conducted into this relationship, but this does raise a deeper discussion surrounding how individual differences modulate this phenomenon.

Course: Computer Games Enterprise - BSc (Hons) - C1672

Date Deposited: 2022-11-04

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14056.html