On the original topic, I'm fairly certain that there have been some "proper" studies into this exact topic, and the outcomes all showed that 3rd person view gives players a greater attachment to their characters, and that emotional attachment increases retention and therefore revenue.
I know I'm certainly that way. When I can see my character, their hair, armour, weapons etc, I form an attachment to them. I get more involved in the roleplay, more invested in the world, and therefore end up playing longer.
In first person, I don't feel like im roleplaying. It maybe more immersive (though i don't necessarily agree on that......) but i end up caring a lot less about my character. I am also a big fan of tactical combat, rather than action, and 1st person doesn't lend itself well to tactical.
On the motion sickness subject, I get it a little bit these days, but the reason is extremely simple:
When I was young playing Unreal, Quake 3 etc, I was doing it on a 15" monitor. I now have a 32" monitor but sit the same distance away. If I sit further away, i don't get any sort of nausea.....but my desk is only so big, I can't exactly move my keyboard and mouse an extra 3ft away. It's why i only tend to playing 1st person or fast paced games that allow me to use a gamepad, so i can roll my chair back a bit more.
Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman
On the original topic, I'm fairly certain that there have been some "proper" studies into this exact topic, and the outcomes all showed that 3rd person view gives players a greater attachment to their characters, and that emotional attachment increases retention and therefore revenue.
Can you reference a study because I asked CoPilot and got this answer, which basically supports your point that people claim FPP is more immersive, but that neither perspective engendered more connective empathy with a character.
>>>>>>>
There have been studies examining whether player attachment to characters differs between **first-person** and **third-person perspectives** in video games. One study from the University of York found that players reported feeling more immersed and involved when playing in a first-person perspective, as it allows them to experience the game world through the eyes of the character. However, this increased immersion did not necessarily translate to stronger emotional attachment to the character.
Another study focused on **persuasive virtual reality games** and investigated empathy orientation. It found no significant difference in empathy orientation between first-person and third-person perspectives. This suggests that while perspective can influence immersion, it may not significantly affect how attached players feel to their characters.
Overall, the evidence suggests that while first-person perspectives can enhance immersion, they don't necessarily lead to stronger emotional attachment compared to third-person perspectives.
My opinion is that the degree of attachment to a character in a game depends more heavily on the game play and narrative more than the perspective. There are several iconic older RPGs (Elder Scrolls, Might and Magic, Fallout, Bioshock) that are first person where players have referenced an attachment to their characters and the narrative, but I can also think of many TPP titles, especially MMOs, where people have said that too.
Either way nothing will ever convince me that FPS MMO is superior to 3rd person. Like someone stated you can't even see you character, so what is the point of game skins for weapons and armor when you can't even see it yourself?
Games like Planetside or Mortal Online don't give that option but others offer hybrid solutions, gameplay through 1st person but more casual stuff will be in 3rd person.
Most likely to help sell cosmetic stuff
With that said most FPS games need to have more detail than 3rd person for the simple fact that the player gets to see things at a closer range.
On the original topic, I'm fairly certain that there have been some "proper" studies into this exact topic, and the outcomes all showed that 3rd person view gives players a greater attachment to their characters, and that emotional attachment increases retention and therefore revenue.
I know I'm certainly that way. When I can see my character, their hair, armour, weapons etc, I form an attachment to them. I get more involved in the roleplay, more invested in the world, and therefore end up playing longer.
In first person, I don't feel like im roleplaying. It maybe more immersive (though i don't necessarily agree on that......) but i end up caring a lot less about my character. I am also a big fan of tactical combat, rather than action, and 1st person doesn't lend itself well to tactical.
On the motion sickness subject, I get it a little bit these days, but the reason is extremely simple:
When I was young playing Unreal, Quake 3 etc, I was doing it on a 15" monitor. I now have a 32" monitor but sit the same distance away. If I sit further away, i don't get any sort of nausea.....but my desk is only so big, I can't exactly move my keyboard and mouse an extra 3ft away. It's why i only tend to playing 1st person or fast paced games that allow me to use a gamepad, so i can roll my chair back a bit more.
There is more self identification with your character when you can see them, not sure I would apply that to MMOs using sailing ships and space ships as "avatars" though. Played a ton of Planetside and War Thunder, I think it does depend on the game. So my trooper in PS was going to get killed, just a matter of time, but my guy in a proper MMORPG, if he bought it you feel it more.
There is a fair argument that third is not as immersive, but as I lean more to roleplay being able to see your toon does help more there. If you have ever used miniatures you will know what I mean.
I have to stand against people demanding first or third, we don't want a homogenous way that all games in a genre must be made, that goes for any element of a game.
On the original topic, I'm fairly certain that there have been some "proper" studies into this exact topic, and the outcomes all showed that 3rd person view gives players a greater attachment to their characters, and that emotional attachment increases retention and therefore revenue.
Can you reference a study because I asked CoPilot and got this answer, which basically supports your point that people claim FPP is more immersive, but that neither perspective engendered more connective empathy with a character.
I've no idea what the studies are specifically. It was simply something that developers, especially MMO developers, used to tell the community a lot back in the day (im talking 2007-2013 ish)
I do remember reading some of the studies personally back then, so they definitely existed and used to get shared a lot.
The basic premise was that if you can't see it, and if you can't customise it, it's harder to get attached. But the more often you see it, and the more you can personalise it to yourself, the more likely you are to bond with it.
Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman
Comments
Another study focused on **persuasive virtual reality games** and investigated empathy orientation. It found no significant difference in empathy orientation between first-person and third-person perspectives. This suggests that while perspective can influence immersion, it may not significantly affect how attached players feel to their characters.
Overall, the evidence suggests that while first-person perspectives can enhance immersion, they don't necessarily lead to stronger emotional attachment compared to third-person perspectives.
CoPilot referenced 2 studies it found. One from the University of York (First Person vs. Third Person Perspective in Digital Games: Do Player Preferences Affect Immersion?) and the other from Springer Natural (First Person vs. Third Person Perspective in a Persuasive Virtual Reality Game: How Does Perspective Affect Empathy Orientation? | SpringerLink), which unfortunately is paywalled to view the entire paper.
Most likely to help sell cosmetic stuff
With that said most FPS games need to have more detail than 3rd person for the simple fact that the player gets to see things at a closer range.
On a lighter side here's a bit of WoW fps:
There is a fair argument that third is not as immersive, but as I lean more to roleplay being able to see your toon does help more there. If you have ever used miniatures you will know what I mean.
I have to stand against people demanding first or third, we don't want a homogenous way that all games in a genre must be made, that goes for any element of a game.