Abstract

This games user research study deconstructed functional customization in looter shooters and roguelikes. The study categorized the scope of functional customization and applied Self-Determination Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory to player psychology. There were no significant differences in games with learn by failure mechanics and those without them. In the combined sample, analyses found some functional customization levels were significantly positively related to feelings of autonomy and competence but found no significant relationships with relatedness or self-efficacy.

Degree Date

Spring 5-16-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.I.T.

Department

Production

Advisor

Elizabeth Stringer

Second Advisor

Karl Steiner

Number of Pages

71

Format

.pdf

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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