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WhitepaperUniversity of York3 Nov 2026

What We Talk About When We Talk About Agency: A Systematic Review of Agency in Video Games

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What We Talk About When We Talk About Agency: A Systematic Review of Agency in Video Games XUECHEN XU, University of York, United Kingdom JEN BEESTON, University of York, United Kingdom ALENA DENISOVA,University of York, United Kingdom Agency, which refers to the capacity for players to make meaningful choices and perceive their consequences, is a critical element in game studies. Despite its importance, there is a lack of consensus regarding its definition and measurement within the field.

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What We Talk About When We Talk About Agency: A Systematic Review of Agency in Video Games

Key insights

Summary

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What We Talk About When We Talk About Agency: A Systematic Review of Agency in Video Games

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Summary

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