Exploring the Potential of Action Mechanics in Video Games for Stress Recovery
Date
2023-12-21
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0001-6516-1954
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Digital games can provide effective recovery from stress, with players turning to a variety of genres—including those with game mechanics that can be considered stressors themselves, i.e., action mechanics. We examine whether action mechanics undermine or facilitate game-based recovery by exposing participants (n=60) to a stress induction, then having them play a roguelike game in one of three conditions: Combat-Required, Combat-Optional, and Combat-Free. We assess experience through self-report and observed physiological responses. Our findings suggest that gameplay—irrespective of action mechanic intensity—supports recovery through the pathways of experienced psychological detachment, control, dominance, and pleasure. Additionally, action mechanics offer superior facilitation of experienced mastery—but undermine the recovery pathways of relaxation and arousal reduction, also reflected in subjective stress. Physiological measures corroborate subjective self-report. We contend that video games featuring action mechanics represent a promising strategy for stress recovery, and may uniquely aid the re-assertion of mastery.
Description
Keywords
Video game, stress, recovery
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Computer Science
Program
Computer Science