Exploring the Impact of Role Model Avatars on Game Experience in Educational Games

Studies show that role models can boost academic performance. In this paper, we describe an experiment (N = 890) exploring the use of (a) scientist role models, (b) athlete role models and (c) simple geometric shapes, as game avatars. Using the Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ), we find that over all participants, the use of avatars that looked like scientist and athlete role models led to highest flow and immersion. For female participants, the use of scientist avatars led to highest immersion and positive affect, and lowest tension and negative affect. The results here indicate that role model avatars have the potential to positively affect player game experience. This may especially be impactful for educational games, in which higher engagement could in turn influence learning outcomes.