Podcast 36: Psychology, Escape Rooms, and VR

Podcast 36: Psychology, Escape Rooms, and VR

Author: Jamie Madigan May 2, 2018 Duration: 59:46
Psychology of Video Games Podcast
LeisureGamesVideo Games
In a way, classic adventure games were the precursors to the escape rooms that are popping up in strip malls and warehouses all over the country. But unlike adventure games, escape rooms take place in physical space with tangible objects. But just like with video games, people who design escape rooms and other kinds of live, narrative experiences can benefit from an understanding of human psychology. What kinds of boundaries do typical human perception and information processing place on how an escape room can be designed? How can the well worn mental shortcuts that people use to make decisions and understand the world be used to advance a narrative or provide clues for a puzzle? And then how can these concepts be looped back around to lessons that can be applied to video game design or even how to play a video game and interact with other players while trying to solve some challenge?

Ever wonder why a particular game mechanic feels so satisfying or why you keep returning to a certain virtual world? Psychology of Video Games Podcast digs into those exact questions, moving beyond simple reviews to explore the mental machinery behind our play. Hosted by psychologist Jamie Madigan, each episode applies research and theory to understand our experiences with games. You’ll hear discussions on how developers use principles of motivation and learning to craft compelling systems, and what our behavior-from cooperation to rage-quitting-reveals about our minds. This isn’t about finding the next game to play; it’s about understanding the ones you already love on a deeper level. The podcast unpacks the subtle psychological hooks in design, the social dynamics of online worlds, and the cognitive reasons behind our emotional responses. Whether you’re a dedicated gamer or simply curious about human behavior, these conversations offer a unique lens on a popular pastime. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that connects the dots between academic psychology and the everyday realities of playing video games.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Psychology of Video Games Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Podcast 80 - The State of eSports Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Could we develop a training regime for esports teams? It happens all the time in other kinds of sports. Coaches assign certain types of weight training and drills to soccer players, baseball players, football players, an…
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I share a lecture I recently gave on the psychology behind nostalgia, that bittersweet remembrance of times past. We'll explore why nostalgia has led to so many remakes, remasters, and reboots of old gaming franchises. A…
Podcast 77 - The Psychology of Fandom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:01
Why are fans so ready to get in fights over their preferred game properties or gaming consoles ?
Podcast 76 - VR Therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:39
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Podcast 75 - Cheating in Video Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:55
What's the psychology behind when and why people cheat? What can we apply from that research to cheating in video games? Find out in this lecture I recently gave on the topic.
Podcast 74 - 1.5-Sided Parasocial Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:18
My guests and I talk about how platforms like Twitch are changing how researchers think about parasocial relationships. Is it only one-sided when there's audience interaction?
Podcast 73 - Toxic Behavior [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Why do gamers sometimes engage in toxic behavior and what psychology can developers leverage to curb it?
Podcast 72 - Esports Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:06
My guest and I discuss how a physician can specialize in caring for the mental and physical health of professional gamers. Lindsey Migliore, MD is one of the foremost experts In esports medicine, trusted by the leading e…
Podcast 71 - Video Game Engagement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:17
What's the psychology behind what makes video games engaging? Why will people invest their whole time, vigor, and attention to some games and not others?

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