Ever since players first started feeding quarters into arcade games and began plugging in home systems in the late twentieth century, researchers have looked for practical tools for both shaping video game design and measuring their effects on players. Physiological signals filled this niche area of research. Researchers began investigating the connection between physiological science and gaming in the 1980s and 1990s, when early studies explored the effects of video games on heart rate and arousal. These first studies focused on issues such as aggression and overstimulation, but research has since expanded to encompass the cognitive and emotional aspects of gameplay. An early research project by NASA, for example, examined how biofeedback could be applied to game design to enhance traditional game control methods while also improving players’ cognitive abilities.
Today, physiological monitoring is not only a method for psychological inquiry but also a vital asset in improving user experience (UX) research, game accessibility, and even driving therapeutic game development. As wearable sensors and game engines grow more sophisticated, the integration of physiological signals into game design is opening new frontiers for immersive, responsive, and health-conscious gaming. By analyzing real-time bodily signals, such as heart rate (HR), electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrodermal activity (EDA), respiration, photoplethysmography (PPG), and electrooculography (EOG), researchers and developers can gain a deeper understanding of how players emotionally and physically respond to game elements.
A study published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies investigated whether players’ self-reported preferences for first-person shooter (FPS) game dynamics match their emotional reactions during both gameplay and viewing. Researchers recruited 24 active gamers and divided them into two groups: those who enjoyed the fast-paced action of FPS games and those who didn’t. While participants played an FPS game and later watched a recording of it, the team measured electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate, and facial muscle responses, specifically expressions associated with frowning (corrugator supercilii) and smiling (zygomaticus major), to capture emotional arousal and valence. Physiological signal data were recorded using BIOPAC EDA, PPG, and EMG amplifiers, which were connected to a data acquisition and analysis system running AcqKnowledge software. Although both groups reported more positive feelings and higher excitement after actively playing rather than watching, the data revealed a deeper story: players who disliked the game showed more substantial rises in arousal during play. Those who favored the dynamics, however, showed steadier emotional responses across both conditions. Muscle activity patterns also differed. Those who enjoyed FPS dynamics exhibited sharper increases in frowning-related muscle activity during play than watchers, indicating nuanced emotional engagement. Overall, the study found that what people say they prefer does reflect in their bodies’ emotional reactions. Still, those preferences also shape whether playing or spectating feels more intense, highlighting how combining self-reports with physiological signals can deepen an understanding of game design and player experience.
A team of researchers from Bournemouth University’s Centre for Digital Entertainment investigated how players’ bodies react during intense engagement, or flow, in virtual reality (VR) games. The goal was to capture objective physiological signals, such as heart rate and eye-blink patterns, alongside subjective self-reports to see how well a game’s design induced flow versus boredom or anxiety. The researchers had participants play a custom VR “tower defense” game while monitored with BIOPAC equipment, including a two-channel Biopac Student Lab (BSL) data acquisition system and physiological modules to record HRV via ECG, as well as EOG and EEG signals. The team then utilized clustering and machine-learning classifiers to decode flow states with high accuracy. The research team also successfully identified that high flow correlated with fewer blinks and longer blink intervals, indicating a state of deep concentration. The study not only demonstrates the value of combining physiological and self-report data but also shows how wearable sensors can inform design decisions in VR games by providing real-time feedback on player experience.
Beyond game design, a primary area of research focus has been on the long-term psychological, neurological, and physiological impact that games have on players. A study published in the Journal of Media Psychology explored how experiences with violent video games might reduce prosocial behavior, such as the motivation to help others, through physiological changes. Researchers recruited 155 Chinese college students who reported their exposure to violent games (in terms of violence, bloodiness, and duration) and completed simple self-reports measuring their willingness to help and the time they took to help others in controlled scenarios. Researchers used a BIOPAC data acquisition unit running AcqKnowledge software to record relevant physiological data. A three-lead ECG amplifier, respiration module, and respiration belt were used to record ECG and breathing signals across baseline, violent-film task, and during recovery periods. Researchers calculated the reduction in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a marker of parasympathetic nervous system engagement. They found that higher levels of violent-game experience predicted less RSA reduction during stress, which in turn was linked to reduced prosocial behavior. The study’s findings suggest that playing violent video games may impair physiological readiness to respond in an empathetic manner to others, showing RSA reduction to be a key influence. The study’s findings demonstrate how physiological and psychophysiological signals provide a deeper understanding of the impacts of video games, while also guiding design decisions.
Physiological signals help researchers identify moments of excitement, stress, immersion, or frustration. Such insights are increasingly being used to refine gameplay mechanics, balance difficulty, and enhance player engagement through adaptive or personalized game experiences. They also reveal the short- and long-term effects gameplay has on both individuals and society. For more ideas on how to apply these signals in your research, visit our Webinars page for information on wearable devices, mobile data acquisition, and other helpful topics.
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