Player types and emotional attachments to NPCs : A methodological approach to identifying preferences regarding emotional attachments for an interactive narrative game target audience

Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate a methodological approach to explore a potential connection between player types and preferences in emotional character attachments. To do so, the thesis investigates connections between player types and emotional attachments to NPCs by conducting two studies. Study 1 provides general data about the audience of Detroit: Become Human (2018) through a survey about player types and how players feel about NPCs from the game, and forms three hypotheses. Study 2 tests the hypotheses through a second survey. The results demonstrate how to gather data regarding player types and preferences, indicates that Performers prefer to form relationships with NPCs that display traits related to a Close Friend attachment, and suggests that Explorers display a preference for pragmatic traits. However, future research must further examine other player types’ preferences to fully support the claim that player types affect preferences in emotional attachments to NPCs.