Making Monsters

This research project seeks to drive theoretical and industrial innovation in game design through a focus on alternative approaches to the conceptualisation and implementation of player-characters, by embodying the traits of game-monsters.

Goal One: To build upon existing models that theorise the relationship between the gamer, the player-character and the enemy monster, in order to offer new design approaches that are thought provoking, engaging and relatable to the target audience.

Goal Two: To address existing research gaps concerning theoretical approaches to the design and creation of games, in such a way that is academically rigorous whilst remaining accessible and usable by industry professionals.

Initial Research Process: Initial work will review existing literature to establish what is already known about gamer's experience in relation to their on-screen counterparts and how they perceive the monsters, or enemies, that they encounter as part of the play experience.

Original Research: Seeking alternative methods of game development, original research will take place through the practice of game-making, documentation of the process, and analysis of the generated data. This work will focus on the implementation of common features and restrictions of monsters identified during the initial research phase, creating new kinds of player-character.
Audience and Impact: Care will be taken throughout the process of the project to make an argument for the implementation of alternative approaches to game-making at all levels of production, where breaks from industry norms act as a way to grab the attention of audiences within the highly saturated marketplace of this high value creative industry.
Equally, it is anticipated that this research will provide valuable original insights for those who study games, in that it will provide a strong example of the kinds of knowledge that one can produce through the act of game-making, rather than analysis of established games.