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Mind Games

Examining the intersection of psychology and digital entertainment

Memory
Why Did the Mass Effect 3 Ending Ruin the Whole Series?

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on September 15, 2015

What do the ending of the Mass Effect series and a painful medical procedure have in common? They both illustrate how memory and evaluation of experiences interact.

What do the ending of the Mass Effect series and a painful medical procedure have in common? They both illustrate how memory and evaluation of experiences interact.

Play
Why We Hate (Some) Video Game Motion Controls

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on June 9, 2015

Some recent research suggests how to predict whether motion controls and other weird peripherals will lead to frustration or enjoyment.

Some recent research suggests how to predict whether motion controls and other weird peripherals will lead to frustration or enjoyment.

Anger
Frustration, Video Game Violence, and Real-Life Aggression

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 9, 2014

Does violent content in video games cause violence in real-life? New research looks at whether something more mundane like frustration over controls and difficulty offer an alternative explanation?

Does violent content in video games cause violence in real-life? New research looks at whether something more mundane like frustration over controls and difficulty offer an alternative explanation?

Personality
Fake Feels and Free Passes

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on January 2, 2014

The story of one very scary bridge may explain why Game of the Year discussions ignore the flaws in video games like The Last of Us.

The story of one very scary bridge may explain why Game of the Year discussions ignore the flaws in video games like The Last of Us.

Personality
How Not to Compare the Xbox One and PS4

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on November 20, 2013

Many of us are comparing bulleted lists of new console features when trying to decide which to buy. That’s a step up from blind fanboyism, but such an approach can still trigger a couple of mental errors in judgment. Here’s how to avoid them.

Many of us are comparing bulleted lists of new console features when trying to decide which to buy. That’s a step up from blind fanboyism, but such an approach can still trigger a couple of mental errors in judgment. Here’s how to avoid them.

Media
Why Gone Home Is So Immersive

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on September 12, 2013

How a small team's simple exploration game creates more spatial presence than big budget blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto.

How a small team's simple exploration game creates more spatial presence than big budget blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto.

Attention
Inattentional Blindness and Video Games

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 23, 2013

How some video games elevate a cognitive blind spot into a gameplay mechanic. Stop me if you've heard this one: A blind gorilla in a fez walks up to a border checkpoint...

How some video games elevate a cognitive blind spot into a gameplay mechanic. Stop me if you've heard this one: A blind gorilla in a fez walks up to a border checkpoint...

Bias
Some of the Psychology Behind Steam's Summer Sale

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 15, 2013

The digital sales juggernaut Steam has unleashed its annual sales event. Let's look at five psychological factors that influence how much we are likely to buy video games from the comfort of our own home.

The digital sales juggernaut Steam has unleashed its annual sales event. Let's look at five psychological factors that influence how much we are likely to buy video games from the comfort of our own home.

Cognition
Can The Xbox One's Kinect Read Your Mind?

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on July 7, 2013

The Kinect camera in Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One will supposedly be able to measure your heart rate and sense your mood. That's got some crazy implications for game design.

The Kinect camera in Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One will supposedly be able to measure your heart rate and sense your mood. That's got some crazy implications for game design.

Media
A Tale of Two Talent Trees

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on May 8, 2013

Is it better to present choices in a video game's upgrade tree sequentially or simultaneously if you want players to be happy with their choice?

Is it better to present choices in a video game's upgrade tree sequentially or simultaneously if you want players to be happy with their choice?

Memory
The Zeigarnik Effect and Quest Logs

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on March 8, 2013

What do waiters in a 1920s Venetian restaurant and today’s average role-playing game fan have in common? They both tend to remember what they have yet to finish.

What do waiters in a 1920s Venetian restaurant and today’s average role-playing game fan have in common? They both tend to remember what they have yet to finish.

Punishment
Modifying Player Behavior in League of Legends With Honor

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on January 4, 2013

What does a video game developer do when its players are known for being insufferable jerks? It hires a team of psychologists to tackle complex problems with some of the oldest tricks in the book.

What does a video game developer do when its players are known for being insufferable jerks? It hires a team of psychologists to tackle complex problems with some of the oldest tricks in the book.

Dreaming
Gamer Dreams

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on December 21, 2012

Do those who play a lot of video games have more bizarre but ultimately less threatening dreams? The weirdness and role playing that permeates many games may be the reason why gamers don't dream like most other people.

Do those who play a lot of video games have more bizarre but ultimately less threatening dreams? The weirdness and role playing that permeates many games may be the reason why gamers don't dream like most other people.

Empathy
The Walking Dead, Mirror Neurons, and Empathy

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. on November 7, 2012

Telltale's game about a zombie apocalypse isn't emotionally draining the way most horror stories are. The secret to its ability to ignite our empathy relies on mirror neurons deep within our brains.

Telltale's game about a zombie apocalypse isn't emotionally draining the way most horror stories are. The secret to its ability to ignite our empathy relies on mirror neurons deep within our brains.