How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design
Authors: Katherine Isbister, Katherine Isbister
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Overview
My book, “How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design,” explores the often-overlooked power of games to create deep and meaningful emotional experiences. I argue against the common misconception that games numb us emotionally, demonstrating instead how they can foster empathy, connection, and a wide range of positive feelings. I reveal how game designers use the unique affordances of the medium – meaningful choices, flow states, avatars, non-player characters, character customization, coordinated action, role-play, physical movement, and networked interaction – to evoke specific emotional responses. My book offers a framework for understanding the emotional impact of games, drawing on examples from indie games to AAA titles. This framework moves beyond simplistic notions of “fun” and digs into specific social and emotional dynamics, offering a more nuanced understanding of the player experience.
My target audience is anyone interested in understanding the emotional power of games – including game designers, players, educators, and anyone concerned about the impact of games on individuals and society. This book addresses current anxieties about social isolation and the potentially negative effects of gaming, offering a counter-narrative that highlights games’ potential as tools for social good. The insights I offer also have practical implications for fields beyond gaming, such as education, therapy, and social activism.
Within the broader field of game studies, my work contributes to ongoing conversations about the power of games as an expressive medium. I move beyond formalist analysis, focusing on the player’s subjective experience, and how it is shaped by design choices. I aim to provide not only a theoretical understanding of game emotions but also a practical vocabulary for discussing and designing emotionally impactful games.
Book Outline
1. A Series of Interesting Choices: The Building Blocks of Emotional Design
Choice is a defining characteristic of games that sets them apart from other media. Unlike passive experiences like watching a film, games allow players to actively influence outcomes, engaging them on visceral, cognitive, social, and fantasy levels. This creates opportunities for rich emotional experiences not possible in other media, particularly in the realm of social emotions.
Key concept: A [good] game is a series of interesting choices.
Meaningful choices are what differentiate games from other media, and are a core component of emotional design.
2. Social Play: Designing for Multiplayer Emotions
Multiplayer games offer expanded opportunities for social and emotional engagement. Coordinated action, enabled by games like Little Big Planet, creates bonds between players through shared challenges and nonverbal communication. Role-playing in games like City of Heroes lets players try on alternate identities and forge meaningful social connections within the game world. Designers use social situations within games to promote specific kinds of social dynamics and feelings in players.
Key concept: Game designers act as social engineers, using game elements to create social situations.
Social situations in multiplayer games can be crafted to promote specific social dynamics and emotional responses.
3. Bodies at Play: Using Movement Design to Create Emotion and Connection
Physical movement in games deepens emotional experience. Designers can use motion tracking and embodied interaction to evoke a range of feelings, from excitement in high-energy games to calm in meditative experiences. Physicality can also be used to design games that encourage close physical proximity, fostering social connection and intimacy.
Key concept: Our bodies dramatically shape our emotional experience.
Movement in games can amplify emotional responses, facilitate social interaction, and create a sense of embodiment.
4. Bridging Distance to Create Intimacy and Connection
Networked games create opportunities for intimacy and connection across distances. By enabling the sharing of virtual objects, creating shared online spaces that mimic real-world social gatherings, and fostering communities around shared interests, games can facilitate deep bonds and meaningful relationships between players, potentially mitigating some of the isolating effects of technology.
Key concept: Virtuality need not be a prison. It can be the raft, the ladder, the transitional space…
Networked games have the unique ability to create meaningful connections between geographically distant players.
Essential Questions
1. How do games differ from other media in their ability to evoke emotions?
Games, unlike other forms of media, center around player agency and meaningful choices. Instead of passively consuming content, players actively shape outcomes, fostering feelings of pride, guilt, and responsibility. This interactivity, combined with the concept of ‘flow’ (a state of deep engagement), unlocks a range of emotions tied to challenge, mastery, and the pursuit of in-game goals. Designers leverage this interactivity by creating systems of action and consequence that tap into players’ inherent motivations and desires, offering rewards, challenges, and a sense of personal accomplishment.
2. How do games facilitate social interaction and the experience of social emotions?
Game designers act as ‘social engineers,’ crafting experiences that foster specific social dynamics. Avatars enable players to explore different social roles and express themselves in ways they might not in real life. NPCs provide opportunities for players to develop relationships and experience social emotions within the game world. Character customization encourages deeper identification and investment in one’s virtual self and social interactions. These tools, along with mechanics like coordinated action and role-playing, create rich and dynamic social environments that mirror and sometimes challenge real-world social interactions.
3. How does physical movement in games affect emotional and social experience?
Physical movement in games goes beyond mere button presses. It becomes a powerful tool for emotional expression and social connection. By incorporating full-body interaction, designers can tap into the player’s physical state to influence their emotional state, creating experiences ranging from high-energy excitement to meditative calm. Furthermore, physical co-presence in games, even in virtual spaces, can foster intimacy and trust through coordinated action and shared physical challenges. By encouraging physical closeness and interdependence, these games can foster a sense of social connectedness.
4. How do networked games bridge distance and foster a sense of community?
Networked gameplay creates unique opportunities for connection by bringing people together across vast distances. The sharing of virtual objects, the co-creation of online worlds, and the formation of online communities around shared interests all contribute to the formation of meaningful relationships. These digital spaces provide opportunities for social interaction, emotional support, and the development of a sense of belonging, potentially mitigating some of the negative effects of social isolation.
1. How do games differ from other media in their ability to evoke emotions?
Games, unlike other forms of media, center around player agency and meaningful choices. Instead of passively consuming content, players actively shape outcomes, fostering feelings of pride, guilt, and responsibility. This interactivity, combined with the concept of ‘flow’ (a state of deep engagement), unlocks a range of emotions tied to challenge, mastery, and the pursuit of in-game goals. Designers leverage this interactivity by creating systems of action and consequence that tap into players’ inherent motivations and desires, offering rewards, challenges, and a sense of personal accomplishment.
2. How do games facilitate social interaction and the experience of social emotions?
Game designers act as ‘social engineers,’ crafting experiences that foster specific social dynamics. Avatars enable players to explore different social roles and express themselves in ways they might not in real life. NPCs provide opportunities for players to develop relationships and experience social emotions within the game world. Character customization encourages deeper identification and investment in one’s virtual self and social interactions. These tools, along with mechanics like coordinated action and role-playing, create rich and dynamic social environments that mirror and sometimes challenge real-world social interactions.
3. How does physical movement in games affect emotional and social experience?
Physical movement in games goes beyond mere button presses. It becomes a powerful tool for emotional expression and social connection. By incorporating full-body interaction, designers can tap into the player’s physical state to influence their emotional state, creating experiences ranging from high-energy excitement to meditative calm. Furthermore, physical co-presence in games, even in virtual spaces, can foster intimacy and trust through coordinated action and shared physical challenges. By encouraging physical closeness and interdependence, these games can foster a sense of social connectedness.
4. How do networked games bridge distance and foster a sense of community?
Networked gameplay creates unique opportunities for connection by bringing people together across vast distances. The sharing of virtual objects, the co-creation of online worlds, and the formation of online communities around shared interests all contribute to the formation of meaningful relationships. These digital spaces provide opportunities for social interaction, emotional support, and the development of a sense of belonging, potentially mitigating some of the negative effects of social isolation.
Key Takeaways
1. Meaningful choices are essential for driving emotional engagement.
Meaningful player choices are a crucial element in driving emotional engagement in games. Unlike passive entertainment, games offer players agency, the ability to shape the outcome of the experience through their decisions. This agency, coupled with the concept of “flow,” creates a sense of control and mastery that is inherently satisfying. By presenting players with interesting and consequential choices, game designers can tap into deep-seated psychological needs for autonomy and accomplishment.
Practical Application:
AI companions could be designed with embedded narrative arcs and opportunities for meaningful player choices, increasing user engagement and fostering a sense of companionship. For example, an AI assistant might present the user with different options for completing a task, each with its own set of risks and rewards, allowing the user to shape the AI’s development over time.
2. Games are powerful tools for shaping social interactions.
Games provide a unique platform for exploring and shaping social dynamics. Features like coordinated action and shared goals encourage players to work together, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Role-playing in online worlds allows players to experiment with different social identities and build relationships within the game. These designed social interactions can strengthen real-world bonds and foster a sense of belonging.
Practical Application:
Social AI could be designed to facilitate real-time collaboration and shared experiences. Imagine an AI assistant that helps a group of friends plan a trip together, suggesting activities and coordinating schedules, fostering a sense of shared purpose and accomplishment.
3. Physical movement in games enhances emotional and social experience.
Physical movement adds another layer to the emotional palette of games. Motion tracking and full-body interaction can amplify emotional responses, increasing the intensity of both positive and negative feelings. Physical challenges within games offer a sense of accomplishment and mastery, while coordinated physical activities can foster social connection and intimacy.
Practical Application:
Virtual reality and augmented reality applications can incorporate physical movement and embodied interaction to enhance emotional engagement. For example, a VR fitness game could use the player’s actual movements to control their avatar’s actions, making the experience more immersive and motivating.
4. Networked games offer a unique platform for building community.
Games can transcend physical distance and create meaningful connections between players. Networked gameplay facilitates the sharing of experiences, the exchange of virtual gifts, and the formation of online communities around shared interests. These virtual spaces provide a platform for emotional support, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of lasting relationships, blurring the lines between online and offline interaction.
Practical Application:
Online platforms could leverage the principles of game design to build stronger communities and facilitate meaningful connections between users. For example, an online learning platform could incorporate elements of gamification, like badges and leaderboards, to encourage participation and foster a sense of shared progress.
1. Meaningful choices are essential for driving emotional engagement.
Meaningful player choices are a crucial element in driving emotional engagement in games. Unlike passive entertainment, games offer players agency, the ability to shape the outcome of the experience through their decisions. This agency, coupled with the concept of “flow,” creates a sense of control and mastery that is inherently satisfying. By presenting players with interesting and consequential choices, game designers can tap into deep-seated psychological needs for autonomy and accomplishment.
Practical Application:
AI companions could be designed with embedded narrative arcs and opportunities for meaningful player choices, increasing user engagement and fostering a sense of companionship. For example, an AI assistant might present the user with different options for completing a task, each with its own set of risks and rewards, allowing the user to shape the AI’s development over time.
2. Games are powerful tools for shaping social interactions.
Games provide a unique platform for exploring and shaping social dynamics. Features like coordinated action and shared goals encourage players to work together, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Role-playing in online worlds allows players to experiment with different social identities and build relationships within the game. These designed social interactions can strengthen real-world bonds and foster a sense of belonging.
Practical Application:
Social AI could be designed to facilitate real-time collaboration and shared experiences. Imagine an AI assistant that helps a group of friends plan a trip together, suggesting activities and coordinating schedules, fostering a sense of shared purpose and accomplishment.
3. Physical movement in games enhances emotional and social experience.
Physical movement adds another layer to the emotional palette of games. Motion tracking and full-body interaction can amplify emotional responses, increasing the intensity of both positive and negative feelings. Physical challenges within games offer a sense of accomplishment and mastery, while coordinated physical activities can foster social connection and intimacy.
Practical Application:
Virtual reality and augmented reality applications can incorporate physical movement and embodied interaction to enhance emotional engagement. For example, a VR fitness game could use the player’s actual movements to control their avatar’s actions, making the experience more immersive and motivating.
4. Networked games offer a unique platform for building community.
Games can transcend physical distance and create meaningful connections between players. Networked gameplay facilitates the sharing of experiences, the exchange of virtual gifts, and the formation of online communities around shared interests. These virtual spaces provide a platform for emotional support, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of lasting relationships, blurring the lines between online and offline interaction.
Practical Application:
Online platforms could leverage the principles of game design to build stronger communities and facilitate meaningful connections between users. For example, an online learning platform could incorporate elements of gamification, like badges and leaderboards, to encourage participation and foster a sense of shared progress.
Memorable Quotes
Chapter 1. 1
I never felt pride, or guilt, watching a movie.
Chapter 1. 2
A [good] game is a series of interesting choices.
Chapter 1. 8
Can a Computer Make You Cry?
Chapter 1. 17
Ultimately, I think the power of a game lies in its ability to bring us close to the subject.
Chapter 2. 41
Virtuality need not be a prison.
Chapter 1. 1
I never felt pride, or guilt, watching a movie.
Chapter 1. 2
A [good] game is a series of interesting choices.
Chapter 1. 8
Can a Computer Make You Cry?
Chapter 1. 17
Ultimately, I think the power of a game lies in its ability to bring us close to the subject.
Chapter 2. 41
Virtuality need not be a prison.
Comparative Analysis
Isbister’s book distinguishes itself in the field of game studies through its focus on the player’s emotional experience and the design choices that shape it. While other works like Salen and Zimmerman’s “Rules of Play” delve into the formal structures and mechanics of games, Isbister emphasizes the subjective impact on the player. Similarly, though McGonigal’s “Reality is Broken” also explores the positive impacts of gaming, Isbister’s book offers a more nuanced exploration of the specific design elements that contribute to those impacts. She aligns with authors like Sherry Turkle (“Life on the Screen”) in exploring the social and psychological dimensions of virtual worlds, but unlike Turkle’s earlier focus on identity, Isbister’s work is centered on emotion. Furthermore, Isbister’s focus on social emotions positions her work in conversation with broader psychological theories of emotion and social connection, adding a scientific lens to the analysis of game experiences. Her focus on a wider range of games, from indie to AAA, gives a broader perspective than many works that focus primarily on one genre or another.
Reflection
Isbister’s work serves as a crucial reminder of the potential of games not just as entertainment but also as powerful tools for social and emotional exploration. Her emphasis on empathy, connection, and positive emotions challenges prevalent anxieties surrounding games and technology, highlighting a frequently overlooked potential for good. However, the book’s optimistic view of games could benefit from a more critical examination of potential downsides, such as the risk of escapism or the ethical implications of manipulating player emotions. While the discussion of specific games offers valuable insights, the rapidly evolving nature of the gaming landscape means that some of the examples may feel dated to an AI engineer reading this book some years later. Despite these limitations, Isbister’s central arguments regarding choice, flow, social dynamics, and embodied interaction remain highly relevant to game design, AI development, and the broader understanding of human-computer interaction. Her work is a call for more nuanced conversations about the role of games in our lives and a reminder of their potential to move us in powerful and unexpected ways.
Flashcards
What is ‘flow’ in the context of game design?
A state of deep engagement and focus where time seems to melt away and personal problems disappear. Well-designed games, with the control they offer users over actions in a novel world, can readily engage players in a flow state.
How do meaningful choices enhance emotional experience in games?
Actions with consequences – interesting choices – unlock a new set of emotional possibilities for game designers. These possibilities exist because our feelings in everyday life, as well as games, are integrally tied to our goals, our decisions, and their consequences.
What are NPCs and what role do they play in a game’s emotional design?
In-game characters that a player meets and interacts with as if they are real other people in the game’s story world. NPCs can evoke strong emotions in players through compelling storylines and interactions.
What is character customization and what is its role in emotional design?
The ability for players to customize the appearance and sometimes behavior of their characters. Character customization encourages deeper identification and investment in one’s virtual self.
What is coordinated action and what are its social and emotional benefits in games?
Actions performed together by multiple players, often requiring communication and collaboration to achieve a shared goal. Coordinated action can foster a sense of camaraderie and connection between players.
What is role-playing and how does it enhance emotional experience in games?
The act of assuming a role or persona within a game, often involving improvisation and social interaction with other players. Role-playing can lead to deep emotional engagement and the formation of meaningful social connections.
What are social situations in games and how do they influence players’ emotions?
The social environment or scenario created within a game. Social situations can be designed to promote specific kinds of social interactions and emotional responses.
What is role-playing and how does it enhance emotional experience in games?
The act of assuming a role or persona within a game, often involving improvisation and social interaction with other players. Role-playing can lead to deep emotional engagement and the formation of meaningful social connections.
What is ‘flow’ in the context of game design?
A state of deep engagement and focus where time seems to melt away and personal problems disappear. Well-designed games, with the control they offer users over actions in a novel world, can readily engage players in a flow state.
How do meaningful choices enhance emotional experience in games?
Actions with consequences – interesting choices – unlock a new set of emotional possibilities for game designers. These possibilities exist because our feelings in everyday life, as well as games, are integrally tied to our goals, our decisions, and their consequences.
What are NPCs and what role do they play in a game’s emotional design?
In-game characters that a player meets and interacts with as if they are real other people in the game’s story world. NPCs can evoke strong emotions in players through compelling storylines and interactions.
What is character customization and what is its role in emotional design?
The ability for players to customize the appearance and sometimes behavior of their characters. Character customization encourages deeper identification and investment in one’s virtual self.
What is coordinated action and what are its social and emotional benefits in games?
Actions performed together by multiple players, often requiring communication and collaboration to achieve a shared goal. Coordinated action can foster a sense of camaraderie and connection between players.
What is role-playing and how does it enhance emotional experience in games?
The act of assuming a role or persona within a game, often involving improvisation and social interaction with other players. Role-playing can lead to deep emotional engagement and the formation of meaningful social connections.
What are social situations in games and how do they influence players’ emotions?
The social environment or scenario created within a game. Social situations can be designed to promote specific kinds of social interactions and emotional responses.
What is role-playing and how does it enhance emotional experience in games?
The act of assuming a role or persona within a game, often involving improvisation and social interaction with other players. Role-playing can lead to deep emotional engagement and the formation of meaningful social connections.