PhD Studentship: How do we broaden and deepen the emotional range of video games?

For full details/full job advert see: https://docs.gre.ac.uk/rep/communications-and-recruitment/how-do-we-broaden-and-deepen-the-emotional-range-of-video-games  

How do we broaden and deepen the emotional range of video games?

• Do games need to be difficult in order to be challenging?
• Can a video game change a player's world view, or teach us about ourselves?
• Why is it that games generally don't show the same emotional range as film and books?

There is common agreement that there is a marked difference in the emotional experience of 'core' games such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Super Mario or Gang Beasts, as compared to more 'avant-garde' games such as Gone Home, That Dragon, Cancer, Journey or Papers, Please.

But what exactly is that difference, and how can we design for it?

This project focuses on games that encourage a reflective, 'mixed-affect' emotional experience in players (i.e. positive and negative emotions at the same time). It builds upon novel re-conceptions of agency, challenge, and the notion of eudaimonic well-being (self-fulfilment and pursuit of our 'best selves').

We want to find out how some games do this well already, what techniques they use, and then whether those techniques can be used to design more games that elicit the 'eudaimonic gameplay experience'.

This project would prefer a candidate with demonstrable background in one of the following areas:

• Human Computer Interaction / User Experience
• Games Design
• Psychology
• Digital Humanities
• Communications
• Games Studies

Other related areas are also welcome.

If in doubt, please contact [email protected] to discuss.

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Bursary available (subject to satisfactory performance): 

Year 1:  £20,622 (£18,622 plus £2,000 London Weighting (FT)).

(Note this is a stipend (i.e. tax-free) and is equivalent to approximately £23,500 salaried.)

Year 2: In line with UKRI rate (as Year 1 unless increased)

Year 3: In line with UKRI rate (as Year 1 unless increased)

In addition, the successful candidate will receive a contribution to tuition fees equivalent to the university’s Home rate, currently £4,596 (FT), for the duration of their scholarship.  International applicants will need to pay the remainder tuition fee for the duration of their scholarship.

This fee is subject to an annual increase.