Parasocial relationship in game: exploring players emotional resonance with characters that affects their decision making

Chiam, Clement Heng Chen (2026) Parasocial relationship in game: exploring players emotional resonance with characters that affects their decision making. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

This study identifies the factors of how parasocial relationship in influencing players’ emotional resonance and this in turns affects the decision making capabilities in horror narratives. Even though there is extensive research on the effects of parasocial relationship in traditional media, in the medium of games there is limited number of studies that are done. A qualitative analysis using case studies is done to the four games chosen. The games are Outlast (2013), Until Dawn (2015), Detention (2017) and Silent Hill 2 (2024). The data gathered from player reviews, communities’ responses and academic literature were analyzed and generalized in the table. Findings of the study have confirmed the effects of parasocial relationships on the players’ emotional resonance. This emotional resonance has influence on the decision-making ability in games like Until Dawn, while for linear game or symbolically representative game like Outlast, Detention and Silent Hill 2 have its impact felt subtlety. Finally, this study has highlights on the parasocial theory in the interacted media form and highlights the cultural and psychological pathway to catharsis. This result can be applied in the fundamental design of narratives and plot devices to improve on the emotional resonance of a horror game.

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