Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
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Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
Interesting (long) read.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/featur..._study_of_.php
If you don't want to read the whole article:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/featur..._study_of_.php
This study was undertaken by usability and user experience studio Vertical Slice as an internal investigation. As this piece was not for commercial use, and used games that have already been released, it seeks to determine which Xbox 360 game is the "scariest," and is not intended to be a criticism or full analysis of the games in question.
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Using some of Vertical Slice's unique approaches to user research, the study used a number of methods including interview techniques, think-aloud, researcher/participant post-play analysis and biometric feedback in order to evaluate the player experiences with each game. A group of six players, selected from a comprehensive database of over 500 individuals, was asked to play four different games -- each for 30 minutes, or an otherwise similarly appropriate length of time, depending on the game's content.
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The biometrics chosen for this study were heart rate, skin surface temperature, and GSR (Galvanic Skin Response). Respiration biometrics were also used for some of the participants. GSR is ideal for measuring arousal (excitement or frustration), skin temp is an indicator of valance (happiness or sadness) and fluctuations in the other two can highlight key moments of engagement. GSR is the top blue line in the graphs, and skin temperature is the middle green one.
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Using some of Vertical Slice's unique approaches to user research, the study used a number of methods including interview techniques, think-aloud, researcher/participant post-play analysis and biometric feedback in order to evaluate the player experiences with each game. A group of six players, selected from a comprehensive database of over 500 individuals, was asked to play four different games -- each for 30 minutes, or an otherwise similarly appropriate length of time, depending on the game's content.
...
The biometrics chosen for this study were heart rate, skin surface temperature, and GSR (Galvanic Skin Response). Respiration biometrics were also used for some of the participants. GSR is ideal for measuring arousal (excitement or frustration), skin temp is an indicator of valance (happiness or sadness) and fluctuations in the other two can highlight key moments of engagement. GSR is the top blue line in the graphs, and skin temperature is the middle green one.
...
If you don't want to read the whole article:
Spoiler:
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
So it looks like those 4 games were the only ones actually used in the study? I've played and enjoyed all of those, but I found Dead Space to be much scarier than Dead Space 2. Silent Hill: Homecoming would also be near the top of my list (for scariness, maybe not for overall quality).
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
So it looks like those 4 games were the only ones actually used in the study? I've played and enjoyed all of those, but I found Dead Space to be much scarier than Dead Space 2. Silent Hill: Homecoming would also be near the top of my list (for scariness, maybe not for overall quality).
Games Selected
Using social media tools, polls and small-scale informal investigation, a short list of the scariest Xbox 360 games was created. This list was whittled down to four candidates, which were then used for the final study. The selected games were Alan Wake, Resident Evil 5, Dead Space 2 and Condemned. Other games, such as Left 4 Dead 2, Gears of War 2, Condemned 2, FEAR 1 & 2, Dead Space 1, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Alone in the Dark and Mass Effect 2 were considered, but ultimately disregarded, for use in this research.
Using social media tools, polls and small-scale informal investigation, a short list of the scariest Xbox 360 games was created. This list was whittled down to four candidates, which were then used for the final study. The selected games were Alan Wake, Resident Evil 5, Dead Space 2 and Condemned. Other games, such as Left 4 Dead 2, Gears of War 2, Condemned 2, FEAR 1 & 2, Dead Space 1, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Alone in the Dark and Mass Effect 2 were considered, but ultimately disregarded, for use in this research.
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
Mass Effect 2? GOW2? I didn't think either of those games were scary. But I did actually find the first FEAR game kind of creepy in some areas.
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
Condemned was probably one of the most unique gaming experiences I've ever had. My neighbors stopped over to watch me play it for a moment before the went to the bar for the night. They ended up staying for hours and watching me beat the game.
I'm still upset that I couldn't enjoy the second one as much.
Spoiler:
I'm still upset that I couldn't enjoy the second one as much.
#8
Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
Interesting article but I would like to know the motivation behind the game choices. Silent Hill should definitely have been on there instead of RE5. One of the biggest complaints about RE5 was that it was more survival action than survival horror.
I wouldn't be surprised if Silent Hill had come out on top if they used it. Dead Space 2 was scary but Silent Hill has the town next door/familiar setting versus the space station setting.
I guess Mass Effect 2 was easy to eliminate from a horror study, haha.
I wouldn't be surprised if Silent Hill had come out on top if they used it. Dead Space 2 was scary but Silent Hill has the town next door/familiar setting versus the space station setting.
I guess Mass Effect 2 was easy to eliminate from a horror study, haha.
#9
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
While I like the Dead Space games this list just makes me realize how much I miss last gen's horror games.
RE5 shouldn't have even been considered.
RE5 shouldn't have even been considered.
#10
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
Without a doubt one of the best experiences in gaming. I remember the first time I heard a can drop to my left and out of the corner of my eye I see a shadow of a dude running across the far side of my screen in the distance. Made my skin crawl.
#12
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players
When I watch scary movies, I usually don't though..but I guess since I was writing about a scary game (and really picking it apart), it got to me. I'm a little concerned because I've had a few people want part 2 (which is scheduled for this sunday) and possibly more. I really don't want nightmares again. Maybe I'll become numb to it though.
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Re: Scary Game Findings: A Study Of Horror Games And Their Players