Computer gamers’ state of mind subject of research

Central Queensland University researcher Dr Steve Pace has been awarded a $10,000 grant to study the experiences of computer game players. The study will focus on two specific phenomena called 'flow' and 'telepresence'.

Flow is a state of mind that people experience when their attention is intently focused on an activity that is challenging but enjoyable. People in flow tend to lose track of time and temporarily forget about their physical surroundings and usual concerns.

Telepresence is a feeling of presence in an environment by means of a communication medium. The environment may be a real place such as a distant space viewed through a video camera, or an artificial place such as an animated world in a computer game. People often experience flow and telepresence while playing computer games that involve simulated 3D environments.

The primary beneficiaries of Dr Pace's research will be multimedia software developers who will gain practical guidelines about how to maximise opportunities for experiencing flow and telepresence in 3D games, educational simulations and web sites.

Other software developers will benefit from new insights into design factors that influence a computer user's state of mind and subsequent behaviour toward new technologies. Advances in multimedia development often have significant flow-on effects for the wider software industry, particularly in sectors such as education and health.

Dr Pace's grant was awarded through the CQU Seed Grants Scheme, which provides seed funding for new researchers to undertake projects that may lead to future external funding.

Dr Pace coordinates the Bachelor of Multimedia Studies program within CQU's Faculty of Informatics & Communication.

http://www.cqu.edu.au/