Archive for player

Fundamental Components of the Gameplay Experience: Analysing Immersion

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

Immersion is one of the key concepts that are used to characterise digital gameplay experiences, yet it is rarely clearly defined. Our article is based on a series of studies that provided us a basis to differentiate three dimensions or aspects in gameplay immersion – immersion based on challenges, as well as on sensory experiences and imagination (SCI model).

Ermi, Laura and Frans Mäyrä (2005) ‘Fundamental Components of the Gameplay Experience: Analysing Immersion’. In: Suzanne de Castell and Jennifer Jenson (eds), Proceedings of Chancing Views – Worlds in Play. Digital Games Research Association’s Second International Conference. Vancouver: DiGRA and Simon Fraser University. Online: http://www.digra.org/dl/db/06276.41516.pdf

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Posted in Books with tags , , , on April 4, 2008 by frans

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has studied the psychology of intense concentration into challenging tasks and related feelings. His work does not provide all solutions that a student of player experiences requires, but is central reading nevertheless.

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (1991) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper Perennial. (Excerpts available online from Amazon.com.)