Featured Research

Each entry explains the research focus, findings, methods, and design skills demonstrated instead of functioning as a simple download list.

Case Study 1: Ar nosurge, Ode to an Unborn Star

Johnson County Community College

Research Focus

Narrative structure, fourth wall storytelling, multiple protagonists, player agency, character relationships, worldbuilding, sacrifice, and memory.

Summary

A narrative design case study examining how Ar nosurge connects its protagonist structure, player interaction, worldbuilding, and meta narrative systems to themes of identity, sacrifice, relationships, and memory.

Skills Demonstrated

Narrative Analysis Story Structure Critical Writing Player Agency JRPG Design

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Case Study 2: Tales of Xillia 2, Hero's Journey

Johnson County Community College

Research Focus

Hero's Journey structure, pacing, character roles, transformation, story progression, and the relationship between gameplay systems and narrative delivery.

Summary

An analysis of how Tales of Xillia 2 adapts the Hero's Journey within a modern JRPG, including where its mechanics strengthen or interrupt character growth, pacing, emotional investment, and narrative clarity.

Skills Demonstrated

Hero's Journey Narrative Design Structural Analysis Pacing JRPG Design

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The Guided Fate Paradox: Burst System

Johnson County Community College

Research Focus

System design, player decision making, mechanics, progression, resource sinks, reward loops, risk, and long term engagement.

Summary

A focused gameplay systems analysis explaining how the Burst System operates, how it affects progression and resource management, and how its incentives shape moment to moment player choices.

Skills Demonstrated

Systems Design Progression Analysis Reward Design Player Decisions Critical Research

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AdventureQuest Survey Report

Full Sail University

Research Focus

Usability testing, playtesting, survey design, participant feedback, hypotheses, player motivation, statistical summaries, and evidence based iteration.

Summary

A usability and player research study built around participant responses, survey results, hypotheses, and analysis of how players experienced AdventureQuest and its design systems.

Skills Demonstrated

UX Research Survey Design Playtesting Data Analysis Player Psychology

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AdventureQuest Draft Report Presentation

Full Sail University

Research Focus

Research presentation, survey methodology, hypotheses, participant questions, playtest findings, visual communication, and design recommendations.

Summary

The presentation version of the AdventureQuest survey project, organizing the research proposal, playtest process, survey questions, hypotheses, findings, and design implications into a visual format.

Skills Demonstrated

Research Presentation Survey Methods Visual Communication Playtesting Findings Analysis

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