Bated Breath - Feasibility of a Respiration-based Biofeedback System in Affective Horror Experiences: How is the player experience in the survival horror game Maid of Sker affected by replacing the button-held breathing mechanic used to avoid enemies with real-life breath-holding?

Abstract

Inspired by recent findings in Affective Gaming and Recreational Fear, this study investigated the feasibility of using a respiration belt to create an affective horror experience by replacing the button-held breathing mechanic used to avoid the blind, but sound-sensitive enemies in the commercially available survival horror game; Maid of Sker, with real-life breath-holding. A between-subjects experiment with 20 voluntary participants was conducted with breath controls as independent variables. Players in the control condition held their breath in-game using Z keypress, whereas players in the experimental condition held their breath in real-life, as determined by a binary predictor algorithm fed by a respiration belt. Players navigated a linear level while their GSR response was Recorded, then filled out a self-report questionnaire evaluating their playing experience in regard to enjoyment, fear and presence. While the breath-based control interface proved feasible, no significant difference was seen in the player experience factors between groups. Despite this, the future for breath-based biofeedback in commercial horror looks promising, with indications of it being more intuitive than keyboard controls, having a calming effect on fear, ease-of-use issues increasing fear response due to reduced agency, over-sensitized fear resulting in enjoyment, and game familiarity affecting fear response to a lesser extent than horror familiarity.

Inspired by recent findings in Affective Gaming and Recreational Fear, this study investigated the feasibility of using a respiration belt to create an affective horror experience by replacing the button-held breathing mechanic used to avoid the blind, but sound-sensitive enemies in the commercially available survival horror game; Maid of Sker, with real-life breath-holding. A between-subjects experiment with 20 voluntary participants was conducted with breath controls as independent variables. Players in the control condition held their breath in-game using Z keypress, whereas players in the experimental condition held their breath in real-life, as determined by a binary predictor algorithm fed by a respiration belt. Players navigated a linear level while their GSR response was recorded, then filled out a self-report questionnaire evaluating their playing experience in regard to enjoyment, fear and presence. While the breath-based control interface proved feasible, no significant difference was seen in the player experience factors between groups. Despite this, the future for breath-based biofeedback in commercial horror looks promising, with indications of it being more intuitive than keyboard controls, having a calming effect on fear, ease-of-use issues increasing fear response due to reduced agency, over-sensitized fear resulting in enjoyment, and game familiarity affecting fear response to a lesser extent than horror familiarity.

Colophon: This page is part of the AAU Student Projects portal, which is run by Aalborg University. Here, you can find and download publicly available bachelor's theses and master's projects from across the university dating from 2008 onwards. Student projects from before 2008 are available in printed form at Aalborg University Library.

If you have any questions about AAU Student Projects or the research registration, dissemination and analysis at Aalborg University, please feel free to contact the VBN team. You can also find more information in the AAU Student Projects FAQs.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Bated Breath - Feasibility of a Respiration-based Biofeedback System in Affective Horror Experiences: How is the player experience in the survival horror game Maid of Sker affected by replacing the button-held breathing mechanic used to avoid enemies with real-life breath-holding?