Investigating the mechanisms and processes of player-avatar relationship construction : a dual process of experiential and psychological interpretation during game play

Research into player-avatar relationship have found that players are able to experience different levels of emotional attachment, agency, embodiment, and identification with their game avatar. While current literature mostly addresses the psychological processes that form different types of player-avatar relationship, lesser is known about the mechanisms and processes of player-avatar relationship construction. Hence, the current study explores how game play experiences and the interpretation of game mechanics help players rationalize their relationship with game avatars. 28 adults who played an action adventure PS4 game, The Last of Us, participated in game play interviews and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis of the results revealed six different themes that explain the mechanisms that link players’ gameplay experiences to their relationship with the game avatar. Subsequently, this paper discusses three major tendencies in which players may construct player-avatar relationships and the processes of player-avatar relationship construction.​Master of Communication Studie