title: Experimental evidence for suspense as determinant of video game enjoyment.
abstract: Based on theoretical assumptions from film psychology and their application to video games, the hypothesis is tested that suspense is a major factor in video game enjoyment. A first-person shooter game was experimentally manipulated to create either a low level or a high level of suspense. Sixty-three participants were randomly assigned to experimental conditions; enjoyment was assessed after playing by a 10-item rating scale. Results support the assumption that suspense is a driver of video game enjoyment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. klimmt@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klimmt
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vorderer
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005717:Games, Experimental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D057181:Pleasure; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D035501:Uncertainty; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult