Infrared cameras will track eye movements and pupil dilation, pressure sensors measure contact on game pads and moisture sensors track excitement.
Experts will be studying the "sweaty palmed excitement" of people playing their computer and console games. Glasgow Caledonian University has set up its eMotion Laboratory as a living room with a two-way mirror. Researchers will discreetly observe game players' emotional interaction in their natural environment. Infrared cameras will track eye movements and pupil dilation, pressure sensors measure contact on game pads and moisture sensors track excitement.
Analysis of the information will be used to determine the emotional peaks and troughs of game playing. "Emotion is key to human performance. When a sportsperson becomes frustrated their skill level can suffer and the same is true with computer games. According to the researchers, it is essential that game creators and publishers understand why their products are successful, particularly as gaming becomes more cerebral and emotive. The sale of a computer game depends upon the initial five minutes of play and the eMotion Laboratory will help designers to determine which moments are emotionally stimulating, and which fail to impress. The success of games used in education and the work place will also be looked at to study how emotion is linked to learning and what makes programmes engaging. Computer games are no longer predominantly concerned with bashing other characters around, they are about creating an emotional link between the player and the game world.
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