Abstract
This thesis investigates the connection between object density and player tension in video games. Expanding on Canny Yuan’s work, “Using Spatial Composition to Influence Player Tension”, the researcher introduced a quantitative approach to measuring room density and posits that increased navigable space can lower player tension. To test this hypothesis, the researcher developed a custom single-player level, “Veylmoor”, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The level is composed of rooms with systematically varied spatial layouts and navigable areas, allowing for controlled analysis of spatial density. The researcher quantified room density using four methodologies implemented through custom C# scripts. The researcher also assessed player tension through heart rate data and a post-playtest survey, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed methodologies.
Degree Date
Spring 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.I.T.
Department
Level Design
Advisor
Katie Wood Clark
Acknowledgements
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my thesis advisor, Professor Katie Wood Clark, for her thoughtful feedback, insightful guidance, and unwavering support, which have been invaluable throughout this research journey. I am also profoundly grateful to Professor Squirrel Eiserloh for his assistance in developing the four methods for quantifying density and for his guidance in creating the C# script. I also want to thank Dr. Karl Steiner for his advice about analyzing the data. Finally, thanks to Professor Myque Ouellette and Elish Li for their helpful answer on the Creation Kit engine.
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Wang, Yidi Edith, "Using Object Density to Modulate Tension Responses" (2025). Level Design Theses and Dissertations. 17.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_leveldesign_etds/17
