Ludology Thinking Beyond Mechanisms Episode 2
Jul 16, 2023
Dive into the intriguing world of immersion in tabletop games with Sarah Shipp. She contrasts absorption and transportation, exploring how players engage differently. You'll learn how flow theory links to player attention and discover resonance—the thrill of familiar yet surprising elements. Examples like 'Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes' showcase thematic transportation's power. Sarah also discusses design strategies, emphasizing the need to balance mechanics with thematic elements for deeper player immersion.
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Two Distinct Types Of Immersion
- Immersion splits into absorption (focused attention) and transportation (thematic transport), so the word hides distinct experiences.
- Gordon Calleja's player engagement model links absorption to flow and challenge-vs-skill balance.
Absorption Ties To Flow
- Absorption means narrowed focus and maps to flow psychology where challenge slightly exceeds ability.
- Any game can be absorbing if it presents engaging puzzles at the right difficulty level.
Transportation Is Thematic Movement
- Transportation is narrative or thematic movement into the game world and can occur without written story.
- Thematic resonance — familiar subjects with twists — boosts transportive power.
