Player Immersion in the Computer Game Narrative

This research establishes a standardized instrument for measuring player immersion within computer game narratives, addressing the unique challenges posed by the interactive and nonlinear nature of modern gaming. By synthesizing existing psychological frameworks—such as flow, cognitive absorption, and presence—the study posits that immersion is a multidimensional experience that relies heavily on a player’s ability to comprehend story structures and engage emotionally with the virtual environment.

The methodology involved an internet-based survey of 340 participants, of which 309 responses were deemed effective. The sample was primarily composed of students aged 20 to 30 with high levels of education. Participants were asked to evaluate their experiences with familiar story-oriented games using an initial 30-item questionnaire. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the researchers refined the instrument into a more concise 18-item model organized into six distinct dimensions. Reliability tests confirmed that this refined tool effectively captures the nuances of player engagement.

The resulting instrument provides a systematic approach to quantifying narrative immersion, a field previously lacking standardized measurement systems. Beyond its application in the gaming industry, the study concludes that this tool is equally applicable to assessing user experience in story-oriented virtual reality environments. By focusing on the intersection of perception, cognition, and emotion, the findings offer a foundational framework for future theoretical research into how players interact with and become submerged in fictional digital worlds.