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Meaning in Digital Games: A Mixed Methods Investigation

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HCI in Games (HCII 2024)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14731))

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Abstract

Understanding what leads to meaningful experiences in digital games can help researchers and practitioners create more meaningful games and other interactive experiences. Literature on meaning is reviewed from the fields of Positive Psychology, Existential Psychology, and Human-Computer Interaction. An interview and survey mixed-methods study is proposed to identify the factors that contribute to meaningful experiences in digital games. Purposive sampling will be used to recruit participants who have had a meaningful or important experience playing a digital game in the last month. Participants will be interviewed and then fill out the Enjoyment Questionnaire (EQ) and Sources of Enjoyment Questionnaire (SoEQ) to assess that recent meaningful experience. Interviews will be transcribed, and the qualitative data will be analyzed with thematic analysis. This research will advance the study of positive player experiences by hel** identify sources of meaning when people play digital games.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science and Information Systems, Elmhurst University, 190 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, 60126, USA

    Owen Schaffer

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  1. Owen Schaffer
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Correspondence to Owen Schaffer .

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  1. DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA

    **aowen Fang

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Schaffer, O. (2024). Meaning in Digital Games: A Mixed Methods Investigation. In: Fang, X. (eds) HCI in Games. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14731. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60695-3_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60695-3_18

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