This report has been circulating the internets lately. According to the abstract located here the report found, “Event-related changes in zygomaticus major, corrugator supercilii, and orbicularis oculi electromyographic (EMG) activity and skin conductance level (SCL) were recorded, and the participants rated their emotions and the trait psychoticism based on the Psychoticism dimension of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire–Revised, Short Form.”

Yeah.

To summarize there was a positive feeling felt after the player was killed in the game and a negative one when they killed their opponent! How interesting. From gamecritics.com
“From the article: “instead of joy resulting from victory and success, wounding and killing the opponent elicited anxiety, anger, or both.” In addition, “death of the player’s own character…appear[s] to increase some aspects of positive emotion.” This latter finding the authors believe may result from the temporary “relief from engagement” brought about by character death. Whatever the underlying basis, however, the results seem highly counterintuitive.”

I think there’s more research to be done, but brings up an interesting discussion. Just what exactly are gamers feeling at different stages of gameplay? The emotional responsise a good video game can elect cover the total gamut of human feelings. Very cool stuff and I hope the researchers continue their work to delve into the gamer psyche even more!

CC image from CommandZed’s Flickr page!