Storytelling is recognized as an effective method for increasing player engagement and motivation in digital games. Through stories, players are expected to experience a deeper and more personal user experience, which can have positive effects on their interest and persistence in playing. However, a review of the relevant literature reveals that most studies on the positive effects of incorporating stories into games have been conducted on children, and their findings are unjustifiably applied to the general population. Additionally, the impact of storytelling is under-researched in the context of modern technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, which inherently create highly interactive and immersive environments for users.
In this thesis, we explored the impact of storytelling on the user experience in the educational virtual game \textit{Steady the drums!} from the perspective of young adults. Our aim was to investigate the effects of the addition of a story related to the game's attractiveness, player's performance, and their development of their rhythmic abilities. To this end, we enhanced the existing game and conducted an experiment comparing two versions of the game – one with a story and one without.
The results of the study provide some evidence that the addition of a story can have positive effects on the attractiveness of the game and the user experience, but we detected possible less desirable effects on players'focus, and, consequently, on their performance. Nevertheless, there was a significant improvement in rhythmic skills in the group of players who played the version of the game with a story, indicating the potential benefits of using storytelling in educational games for VR.
This study contributes to understanding of the role of storytelling on the user experience in NR and opens new possibilities for developing effective and engaging educational tools. The findings of the research can serve as a basis for further studies and the development of NR games that include storytelling as a key element to enhance learning and gaming experiences.
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