AUTHOR=Rusch Doris C. , Phelps Andrew M. 

TITLE=Existential Transformational Game Design: Harnessing the “Psychomagic” of Symbolic Enactment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.571522

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.571522

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>This paper explores indexical symbolic enactment as a way to promote authenticity and inner balance through digital games. Drawing on research from cognitive anthropology, neurobiology, and psychology, the following presents an argument for <italic>why</italic> and <italic>how</italic> indexical symbolic enactment can impact us on a deep, unconscious level and contribute to personal transformation. It identifies four high-level guidelines that can inform existential transformative game design: (1) ritual theming (i.e., liberation, transformation, and commemoration/celebration); (2) metaphorical approach; (3) contextual mechanisms that promote a readiness for change and processing; and (4) psychological resonance. It then uses these guidelines as an analytical lens for a case study on the game <italic>Papo &amp; Yo</italic> (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref46">Minority Media Inc., 2012</xref>). This analysis shows how indexical symbolic enactment can contribute to a game’s transformative potential and examines missed opportunities when design decisions emphasize gameplay considerations rather than symbolic congruency and psychological resonance.</p>