Exploring Mind-Wandering Experiences in Gameplay

Abstract

Mind-wandering---spontaneous thoughts---is a common process that can interfere with attention and focus, but can also be beneficial for mental health, creativity, learning, and (in some cases) task performance. Digital games may offer a unique medium to leverage the benefits of mind-wandering, yet there has been little to no investigation of mind-wandering on player experience. Therefore, it is unclear whether and how players experience mind-wandering and whether it should be encouraged by game designers. We conducted an observational study of people playing digital games from a list of games available to the researcher in three categories: one they found relaxing, a second in which they lost track of time while playing, and a third that they spent most hours playing. Results of the thematic analysis of eye-tracking data and gameplay, as well as a quasi-random experience sampling probe, revealed that eye-tracking and gameplay data should be viewed together in context for the understanding of mind-wandering experiences during gameplay.