Alternative Title
Goals as a Basic Unit of Organization in Level Design
Abstract
This thesis (1) builds a theory of rewards as a pacing device by synthesizing principles of games and theatre and (2) posits that linear regression can model engagement. The paper aims to establish a preliminary empirical basis for both by gathering data from an original video game. It covers the theory’s application to the game and other essential considerations in the design process.
Degree Date
Spring 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.I.T.
Department
Level Design
Advisor
Mike Porter
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to my thesis advisor professor Mike Porter for his guidance and support. Thanks also to professor Katie Wood Clark and Doctor Karl Steiner for their additional support. Thank you to everyone who played the game and gave feedback or participated in the surveys. Finally, thank you to each of my past professors and former teachers.
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Titus, "Presenting Rewards With Effective Pacing To Heighten Engagement" (2025). Level Design Theses and Dissertations. 27.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_leveldesign_etds/27
