Expectation in Video Game Horror - Pilot Study 1

You are invited to participate in the initial Pilot Study for research looking at particular aspects of Horror Video Game Design. In this pilot, approximately 12 people will be asked to play a section of an unreleased, in-development game, followed by a short focus-group session discussing key elements of their gameplay experience. Each participant is also requested to complete this short background information survey which will be used to record demographic data.

Participants will be required to complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement, a legal contract stating that you agree not to share any information publicly about the game, or the research program.

The time commitment required from each participant will be approximately 2 hours.

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. The game you will be playing will have strong horror themes, and as such, you have the right to withdraw, without giving a reason, at any point of the study.

Your personal information will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential. If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact Peter Howell at [email protected] .

Thank you very much for your time and support. If you are happy to proceed, please start the background survey now by clicking on the Continue button below. If you would prefer not to proceed any further please select the “exit survey” link at the top of this page.

I Agree to the above terms

* Are you male or female?

Undergraduate Student

Postgraduate Student

University Research Staff

University Academic Staff

No Experience - No Regular Play At All

Very Limited - Less than 1 Hour a Week

Somewhat Limited - Between 1 and 5 Hours a Week

Moderate - Between 5 and 10 Hours a Week

Somewhat Experienced - Between 10 and 15 Hours a Week

Very Experienced - Between 15 and 20 Hours a Week

Extremely Experienced - Over 20 Hours a Week

No Experience - I Never Play Horror Games

Very Limited - I Very Rarely Play Horror Games (1-2 per Year)

Somewhat Limited - I Play Horror Games Occasionally (2-4 per Year)

Moderate - I Play Horror Games Quite Regularly (4-6 per Year)

Somewhat Experienced - I Play Horror Games Regularly (6-10 per Year)

Very Experienced - I Play Every Horror Game I Can (10-15 per Year)

Extremely Experienced - I Almost Exclusively Play Horror Games (Over 15 per Year)

Yes, all the way through.

Yes, a lot of it (6+ hours, without completing it)

Yes, but not much of it (less than 2 hours)

I Only Play Console Games (Including Handheld Consoles)

I Only Play PC Games

I Play Both Console and PC Games, but Primarily Console Games

I Play Both Console and PC Games, but Primarily PC Games

I Play Both Console and PC Games, with No Particular Preference

I Do Not Play Games On Console or PC, but I Do On Another Device

I Do Not Play Games At All

Unique/Unusual Environments

Highly Interactive Environments

None of the Above In Particular

* Please enter your name, or (if you are a University of Portsmouth student and don't wish to give your name) your Student Number. This is strictly for matching survey responses to participants during analysis, and will not be used for any other purpose.