Project Overview

A Strategic Theatre for Survival is a toolkit I developed during my dissertation which explore how human survival instincts can be harnessed to enhance horror game level design. Grounded in psychological and design theories like Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and Jay Appleton’s Prospect-Refuge theory, the toolkit provides game designers with modular strategies to evoke deeper emotional engagement and more immersive survival experiences. These theories highlight how human behaviour can be influenced by environmental stressors, which in turn can be co-opted by designers to shape player responses in games.

The toolkit offers a flexible, modular approach, allowing designers to select and apply various techniques to suit their specific project needs. For instance, manipulating player line of sight or creating spaces which dynamically swing between danger and refuge can heighten tension, while designing tight, restrictive spaces or using environmental hazards increases the challenge and vulnerability players feel. These modular techniques ensure that the toolkit is adaptable to different scenarios, making it valuable for crafting everything from subtle tension to intense survival situations.

Ultimately, A Strategic Theatre for Survival equips game designers with the tools to build more dynamic and emotionally charged gameplay. Whether the goal is to create a gradual buildup of fear or a constant sense of peril, this toolkit provides insights that enhance player immersion and elevate the psychological impact of survival horror games.

I am currently working with my university to formally publish this dissertation, but in the meantime, if you wish to read the piece for yourself, please request a copy via my email (g.wolferstan@gmail.com).