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Stories around a campfire : The influence of narrative structure on the experience of a video game and its story.

Huizinga, R. (2024) Stories around a campfire : The influence of narrative structure on the experience of a video game and its story.

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Abstract:Background: There is no right or wrong way to tell a story, but there are more and less effective ways. Stories have been extensively studied, but their role in video games remains elusive. Aim: To explore how a non-guided narrative structure in a video game may influence the gaming experience and story, this study focuses on immersion, flow, and emotional experience as outcome variables. Method: 32 participants played 45 minutes of Outer Wilds in either a guided or non-guided structure, with 16 participants in each group. Participants then completed a survey measuring the three key concepts, as well as taking part in a short interview. Results: The findings confirm that narrative structure affects immersion and flow, with a non-guided structure leading to higher levels of both. However, emotional experience remains unaffected, suggesting a need for further research. The data collected further suggests that a non-guided structure may be more effective for video game storytelling, though these findings aren’t conclusive. Conclusion: The results stimulate research on storytelling in video games and improve the effectiveness of video game narratives. This study provides insights for game development and marketing, highlighting key focus areas for creating engaging stories in video games.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:05 communication studies
Programme:Communication Studies BSc (56615)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100701
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