Cognitive Workload, Game Experience, and Intrinsic Motivation

Abstract: When it comes to game design, two features that have been linked to the success of a game are playability and the subjective game experience. This is perhaps not surprising, as the main purpose of a game is to entertain. What cognitive factors that may underlie these features has, however, not been explored. This study examines the relationship between both workload and cognitive workload and player experience. The results suggest that an increase in workload, including cognitive workload, positively affect the player experience of the game as well as the player’s intrinsic motivation.