Player Experience of Minimalist Video Game Design: Case Study of Indie Horror Iron Lung

Abstract

Player experiences of minimalist video games are not well documented. This article addresses this gap by exploring players’ experiences of the minimalist horror video game Iron Lung. This game is identified as employing unique methods of gameplay toward affecting players. A case study design was framed using Caroux et al.’s player–video game interactions and Nealen et al.’s minimalist video game design characteristics and observed through affect theory to consider how bodies (video games) affect other bodies (players). A selection of player reviews was thematically analyzed, and three video streams were observed and analyzed. Results demonstrate that most players were affected as the developer intended using obfuscation, deliberately clumsy mechanics, and unique gameplay pacing. This article contributes to the field of minimalist design by filling the gap of player experiences of minimalist game design. This is useful to video game designers, minimalist designers, interactive experience designers, scenographers, or environmental design specialists.