The prospect-refuge theory can help us identify the needs, wants, and fears rooted in human psychology. This, in turn, can help us create playable spaces that carry emotional purpose.
Depending on the current status of your player and your game mechanics, the physical shape of the world will present different threats and opportunities. Knowing the theme and functionalities of your game, you should be able to identify the potential emotional responses to any type of space. Predict, analyze, and collect that knowledge, making it ready to be applied when designing your levels:
- Enclosed Areas: In the context of a survival horror game such as Silent Hill, narrow tunnels and corridors can quickly turn into a claustrophobic nightmare, ...
