Master's Thesis Project (In Progress)

Last update: 04.16.2009

[Engine: Source, Half-Life 2] [Team Size: 1 person]

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My Master's thesis is available for download!

As video game developers progress towards creating more open, non-linear game-worlds, the demand on the player to understand his avatar’s location increases. In non-linear worlds, such those found in massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) and sandbox games, the environmental layout offers players a variety of navigational choices.

Open worlds enhance the player’s immersion by creating a sense that a world exists beyond the critical path. However, behavioral studies in geography and architecture have shown that plain, multi-path environments reduce people’s ability to wayfind—a consequence of which leads to frustration and stress. These studies also suggest that adding distinctive environmental features (e.g. landmarks, visual contrast, etc…) improves navigation by making the environment more legible to the eye.

My thesis project focuses on level design practices to improve wayfinding. The core objective is to test whether environmental features can improve the player’s spatial knowledge and/or improve feelings of disorientation. In doing so, I hope to encourage level designers to take on a navigation-focused perspective in world layout design.

To test my thesis, I am designed a small town with a maze-like, repetitive layout. This type of environment is difficult to navigate, thus providing a blank slate on which to test the effects of specific environmental features on player wayfinding.

The project measures how quickly players accomplish quests in the illegible environment I constructed. Some quests feature environmental features that are thought to improve navigation, while other quests provide control data. I analyze the performance data together with pre- and post-test survey results in order to assess the effect of different environmental variables on the Tester’s navigation.

Downloads:
Download Thesis [ 9.56 MB, pdf ]

Screenshots: