Exploring the Potential of Action Mechanics in Video Games for Stress Recovery
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Gutwin, Carl | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Kowalski, Kent | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Phillips, Cody | |
| dc.creator | Alves Heinze, Rafael | |
| dc.creator.orcid | 0000-0001-6516-1954 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-12-21T17:26:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-12-21T17:26:10Z | |
| dc.date.copyright | 2023 | |
| dc.date.created | 2023-11 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-12-21 | |
| dc.date.submitted | November 2023 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2023-12-21T17:26:10Z | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10388/15382 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Video game | |
| dc.subject | stress | |
| dc.subject | recovery | |
| dc.title | Exploring the Potential of Action Mechanics in Video Games for Stress Recovery | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dc.type.material | text | |
| thesis.degree.department | Computer Science | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Computer Science | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Saskatchewan | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Arts (M.A.) |