CEIG2025

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Impact of Non-Player Characters on the Gaming Experience: Simulation Game vs. Competitive Exergame
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Miranda, Nadia Montaña; Chover, Miguel; Argudo, Oscar; Iparraguirre, Olatz
Non-player characters (NPCs) play a crucial role in the gaming experience and should be designed to suit the characteristics of each game genre. This study examines the impact of AI-driven NPCs on player experience by comparing their impact in a hospital management simulation game and in a competitive exergame called Fitoon. In the simulation game, a needs-based AI system was implemented, where agents autonomously make decisions based on their internal states, such as hunger or stress. In Fitoon, machine learning techniques, including reinforcement and imitation learning, were applied to train agents capable of competing against players in obstacle races. Through user testing utilizing the In-Game version of the Game Experience Questionnaire, this study examines how the presence of these NPCs influences the players' perception of the gaming experience in both contexts. The results indicate that while NPCs in the simulation game have a greater impact on reducing feelings of tedium and boredom, in the exergame, they significantly increase the sense of challenge.