Institut Jean Nicod

DEEP: A Model of Gaming Preferences Informed by the Hierarchical Nature of Goal-Oriented Cognition

The DEEP model establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding gaming preferences by mapping player agency onto the hierarchical nature of goal-oriented cognition.

• The DEEP model categorizes player engagement into four hierarchical dimensions—Discovering, Experimenting, Expanding, and Performing—which map directly to the cognitive architecture of human goal-setting.
• Empirical analysis of 16,598 video games confirms that 90% of titles utilize this nested hierarchical structure, aligning game design with fundamental cognitive processes.
• Player behavior is predictable based on these dimensions: those who prioritize 'Discovering' and 'Experimenting' engage with a wider variety of titles, while those who favor 'Performing' focus on mastering fewer, specific games.