Understanding Presence, Involvement, and Flow in Digital Games

Abstract

Digital games elicit rich and meaningful experiences for the gamers. This makes games hard to study solely with usability methods that are used in the field of human--computer interaction. Here is presented a candidate framework to analyze multidimensional user experience (UX) in games. Theoretically the framework is grounded both on previous game studies as well as relevant psychological theories. Methodologically it relies on multivariate data analysis of approximately 320 games (n = 2182), with the aim of revealing the subcomponents of UX in games. The framework captures the essential psychological determinants of UX, namely, its quality, intensity, meaning, value, and extensity. Mapping these determinants to the game mechanics, the narrative and the interface offers a rich view to UX in games and provides added value to those who want to understand why games are experienced in certain ways and how these experiences shape the numerous consequences related to games.