The Surrogate Body In Play

Games research within the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) community currently draws most of its understanding of immersion, engagement and player experience from Psychology. However, these phenomena are also studied by the humanities, i.e., Media Theory, a field that conceptualises these parameters as affective and situated in specific contexts. Here, we draw from surrogate body (Leihkorper) theory proposed by Voss for cinematic experiences, and apply it to a variety of different contexts in which digital games are played. Doing so, we not only refine the theory but also introduce a socio-technical, cultural and affective understanding of play contexts that can contribute to how we examine players' experiences. Further, we provide a case detailing how Games Research can engage with humanistic theories, and explore their relevance for the design and evaluation of digital games.