This paper explores the impact of self-representation (full body Self Avatar vs. Just Controllers) in a Collaborate Virtual Environment (CVE) and the consistency of self-representation between the users. We conducted two studies: Study 1 between a confederate and a participant, Study 2 between two participants. In both studies, participants were asked to play a collaborative game, and we investigated the effect on trust with a questionnaire, money invested in a trust game, and performance data. Study 1 suggested that having a Self Avatar made the participant give more positive marks to the confederate and that when the confederate was without an avatar, they received more trust (measured by money). Study 2 showed that consistency led to more trust and better productivity. Overall, results imply consistency improves trust only when in an equal social dynamic in CVE, and that the use of confederate could shift the social dynamics.
This paper describes the process of developing and collecting data for analysis via a Qualtrics survey on "Tend & Befriend Theory" and the Acute Stress Response, i.e. "Fight or Flight Response". We discuss the constraints and implications of current thinking around "Tend & Befriend", the descriptive results of our initial study, present a methodology for categorising Tend & Befriend games, frame our results in the context of gaming experience, and outline our next research steps in addition to areas of future interest. Our study suggests that Tend & Befriend can be considered as a concrete phenomenon in games, supported by data. Our findings show some games can be considered as "archetypal" titles, making them useful references for research and discourse.
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