Video Game Performance & Experience
The landscape of video game-related behavior encompasses a wide range of topics: from the rapidly growing domain of esports and the nuanced interplay of performance enhancement and ethical considerations, to the influence of acute stress and toxic behavior.
Exemplary focus areas for this line of research include:
- Esports and Performance Enhancement: Esports has propelled competitive gaming into mainstream recognition. Athletes in this digital arena strive for peak performance, akin to traditional sports counterparts. Consequently, athletes and teams explore their options for performance enhancement; both legitimate and questionable. The allure of gaining a competitive edge has given rise to concerns about the dangers of illicit performance enhancement in the industry. Apart from evaluating the effectiveness of certain performance enhancements strategies (anything from non-invasive brain stimulation to training schedules) we have to ask ourselves: What is fair and what is not? What (mental) health risks do need to be considered? How prevalent are certain forms of enhancement?
- Emotional Regulation and Stress: Beyond the performance-centric focus, the emotional well-being of gamers becomes a crucial facet. The competitive nature of many (multiplayer) games and the perceived pressure to perform at the highest level can lead to heightened stress levels. Consequently, we need to understand how acute stress influences performance, cognition and subjective experiences. Only then we can start to investigate and promote effective emotional regulation strategies.
Interested in hearing more about this line of research, want to collaborate or (if you are a student) write your thesis related to this research? Please contact Maximilian A. Friehs