Analyzing the Impact of Story and Unpredictable Events on Player Engagement in Modified Classic Pac-Man Game

Rahmah, Syalbia Noor (2026) Analyzing the Impact of Story and Unpredictable Events on Player Engagement in Modified Classic Pac-Man Game. Other thesis, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember.

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Abstract

This study investigates how narrative components and unpredictable in-game events influence player engagement within a modified version of the classic Pac-Man game. While the original Pac-Man is built on predictable mechanics and deterministic ghost behaviors, this research introduces story elements, psychological-horror cues, and controlled randomness to examine how these modifications alter cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement. The literature review highlights that engagement is shaped by challenge-skill balance, narrative coherence, and adaptive player response to unpredictable stimuli. Guided by Player Engagement Theory, Flow Theory, the MDA framework, narrative design principles, and psychological horror elements, this study explores how deviations from Pac-Man’s familiar structure affect immersion, focus, tension, and player decision-making. The modified game integrates glitch-based events, random hazards, altered controls, and narrative triggers to create dynamic play conditions. By analyzing players’ reactions to these combined mechanics, the research aims to identify how storytelling and unpredictability work together to enhance or disrupt engagement in arcade-style environments.
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Penelitian ini mengkaji bagaimana elemen naratif dan kejadian tak terduga dalam permainan memengaruhi player engagement pada permainan Pac-Man klasik yang telah dimodifikasi. Jika versi asli Pac-Man didasarkan pada mekanisme yang dapat diprediksi dan perilaku ghost yang deterministik, penelitian ini menambahkan fitur cerita, elemen horror psikologis, serta tingkat ketidakpastian yang terkontrol untuk mengevaluasi bagaimana perubahan tersebut memengaruhi keterlibatan secara kognitif, emosional, dan perilaku. Tinjauan pustaka menunjukkan bahwa keterlibatan pemain dipengaruhi oleh keseimbangan tantangan dan kemampuan, koherensi naratif, serta respons adaptif terhadap stimulus yang tidak terduga. Dengan menggunakan teori Player Engagement, Flow Theory, kerangka MDA, teori naratif, dan konsep horor psikologis, penelitian ini menganalisis bagaimana modifikasi terhadap struktur Pac-Man yang sudah familiar dapat memengaruhi imersi, fokus, ketegangan, dan pengambilan keputusan pemain. Gim yang dimodifikasi ini mengintegrasikan efek glitch, bahaya acak, kontrol yang berubah, serta pemicu naratif untuk menciptakan kondisi permainan yang dinamis. Melalui analisis reaksi pemain terhadap kombinasi mekanisme tersebut, penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi bagaimana cerita dan ketidakpastian secara bersamasama meningkatkan atau justru mengganggu keterlibatan dalam permainan bergaya arcade.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Player Engagement, Narrative Design, Unpredictability, Flow, Psychological Horror, Pac-Man Modification, Game Mechanics, Horor Psikologis, Modifikasi Pac-Man, Mekanik Permainan.
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) > T59.7 Human-machine systems.
Divisions:	Faculty of Intelligent Electrical and Informatics Technology (ELECTICS) > Informatics Engineering > 55201-(S1) Undergraduate Thesis
Depositing User:	Syalbia Noor Rahmah
Date Deposited:	22 Jun 2026 01:04
Last Modified:	22 Jun 2026 01:04
URI:	http://repository.its.ac.id/id/eprint/133953

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