Measuring The Impact of Narrative on Player's Presence and Immersion in A First Person Game Environment

Authors

Raul Huerta, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

8-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Dr. Richard H. Fowler

Second Advisor

Dr. Wendy A. Lawrence-Fowler

Third Advisor

Dr. Zhixiang Chen

Abstract

In the virtual environments (VE) literature, presence has been described as the feeling whereby an individual feels as if he or she is actually in the VE. In the videogame literature, the related concept of immersion is viewed as an effect facilitating player engagement. This thesis examines how narrative and graphics quality influence presence and immersion in a first person game. Three levels of narrative and graphics quality are used in an empirical study: text narrative with high quality graphics, no text narrative with high quality graphics, and no text narrative with low quality graphics. Results showed that there is a significant difference in players’ presence and immersion with rich narrative provided through text narrative together with high quality graphics versus no narrative and low quality graphics, and the use of text narrative results in greater presence and immersion than high quality graphics alone.

Comments

Copyright 2012 Raul Huerta. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/measuring-impact-narrative-on-players-presence/docview/1152549474/se-2

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American