Abstract
This thesis topic explores the cross section between Non-Player Characters and poetic gameplay, a term coined by Dr. Alex Mitchell which is gameplay that is made deliberately strange or defamiliar to invoke reflection. The researcher used three defamiliarization techniques on a recurring Non-Player Character to test the effectiveness of each technique. The researcher created one level with two different, but nearly identical, quests for the game Starfield. One quest, “A Green Thumb,” contained no defamiliarization techniques, serving as a baseline, while the other quest, “A Blue Thumb,” incorporated three defamiliarization techniques. By analysing player feedback, the researcher aimed to explore how poetic gameplay can be used by designers to create more engaging characters. To test this hypothesis, the researcher conducted several playtest sessions in which the player experienced both quests and gave their opinions on which was more engaging. Taking the results of these tests, the researcher analysed the data to see whether poetic gameplay could be used to create more engaging characters. The study found that utilizing defamiliar techniques on a companion NPC makes the character more engaging and the quest itself to be more engaging.
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 deepest thanks and gratitude to Professors Katie Wood-Clark, Mike Porter, and Karl Steiner for their academic guidance and insights throughout the development of this thesis. Special thanks go to my family and friends who supported me from the beginning, I love all of you! I am also deeply thankful to my fellow level designers and classmates in Cohort 34 for their collaboration, insights, and support along the way. Every person who listened to me talk about topic and was asked hypothetical questions while researching deserves a massive thank you and a coffee in thanks. Thank you to all the participants who took part in playtesting this thesis! <3
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Hamideh, Sereen, "Exploring Defamiliarization Techniques on Non-Player Characters" (2026). Level Design Theses and Dissertations. 37.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_leveldesign_etds/37
