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Immersive Wayfinding Cues for 3D Video Games
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- Author / Creator
- Nisbet, Brett
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This thesis reviews how in-level wayfinding cues in video games can be harnessed to create immersive and enjoyable game experiences. It conducts an extensive literature review of game level design, and examines how modern games guide players to their destination. Many modern games rely heavily on incongruous visual cues and intrusive user-interface elements to push players through game environments. However, as these visual stimuli would not naturally occur within a game setting, they may reduce a player’s spatial presence, immersion, and game enjoyment. To increase player immersion, games can rely more heavily on environmentally appropriate, in-level wayfinding cues. Though some modern games do use in-level cues to guide players, there is little documentation on existing immersive wayfinding techniques. This thesis aims to fill the knowledge gap of video game wayfinding by outlining the importance of in-level cues, highlighting pre-existing in-level cues, and proposing new cues. The new wayfinding hypotheses have been formulated from theories from various disciplines, including: perceptual and environmental psychology, fine art, design, urban design, and architecture. These hypotheses were then interpreted into game wayfinding cues, and implemented in testable game scenarios. The game scenarios, tested by research participants, demonstrated a variety of successes and potential to enhance game wayfinding.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2016
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Arts
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.