Abstract
This study investigates how spatial composition in video game levels influences player tension and proposes a normalized quantitative formula based on existing spatial tension frameworks. The researcher independently created a single-player level and related quest in the video game Starfield. The quest, “Remnant of Tiangong” requires players to navigate a starstation containing a variety of spaces in a specific sequence. The researcher measured player tension through survey and biometric data and created a resulting tension curve. The researcher then compared the predicted tension curve to the resulting tension curve. The results show that the proposed formula accurately predicted players' tension in most spaces of the level, while also revealing cases where the formula's predictions deviated from players' actual experience.
Degree Date
Spring 2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.I.T.
Department
Level Design
Advisor
Katie Wood Clark
Second Advisor
Karl Steiner
Third Advisor
Mike Porter
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Katie Wood Clark and Professor Karl Steiner for their detailed and constructive feedback, as well as their continuous support, which provided essential guidance throughout this project. I would also like to give special thanks to Professor Karl Steiner for his technical support in the use of iMotions and related data analysis, which was instrumental to the collection and analysis of biometric data in this study. In addition, I would like to thank Professor Mike Porter, Professor Myque Ouellette, and Dr. Aleshia Hayes for their valuable and encouraging feedback on both my research and level design. Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the players who participated in the playtests, as their contributions were critical in evaluating my methodology and refining my design.
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Lu, Jiafan, "Influencing Player Tension Using Spatial Composition: Revisiting and Extending the Yuan–Wang Framework" (2026). Level Design Theses and Dissertations. 33.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_leveldesign_etds/33
