Impact on Cognition of Digital Games-Based Learning Game Interest, Sensory Stimulation, and Emotion

Abstract

This study aims to develop a tool to measure game interest and its connections with cognitive abilities related to gaming, such as sensory stimulation and emotions. The findings from 401 college students with prior gaming experience indicate that game interest influences cognitive abilities indirectly through two mediating mechanisms: sensory stimulation and game emotion. Backward analysis revealed two distinct modes of sensory stimulation—sensory entertainment gaming mode (SEGM) and sensory immersive gaming mode (SIGM)—each showing different effects on emotional engagement and cognitive outcomes. These results clarify how sensory stimulation and emotion function as sequential mediators linking game interest and cognitive abilities, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of digital game-based learning (DGBL). Moreover, these findings provide theoretical implications for the design of next-generation XR learning environments, emphasising the importance of balancing sensory richness and emotional regulation to optimise cognitive engagement.