The power of thoughtful in-game food design

With the rise of food waste, health issues, and the need for sustainable eating habits, the way food is represented in digital media has become relevant for our society, now more than ever. However, while attention has been frequently directed at traditional and social media, limited research has investigated how food is depicted-end experienced-within the context of digital games. Considering that games are currently increasing in popularity within our society, understanding how food is represented and perceived in said environments might be crucial. For this reason, this thesis explores the question: How do players perceive in-game food representations? To find the answer, this study employs a qualitative research design based on four focus group sessions. Participants played a selection of food-centred games and subsequently participated in group discussions. The collected data was transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis. Four overarching dimensions of food representations in digital games were explored throughout the focus groups: visual, auditory, tactile, and symbolic. Each dimension refers to a specific characteristic of in-game representations. This approach allows for a deep understanding of what users might feel to be highly relevant characteristics of games, providing an insightful exploration of player's perceptions and experiences of in-game food representations. The analysis revealed patterns across each dimension. Visual findings showed that realism, detail clarity, and balanced colour vibrancy enhanced immersion, though mismatched expectations between visual appearance and gameplay mechanics disrupted engagement. Auditory results demonstrated that congruent (i.e., realistic) sounds supported believability, while repetitive audio effects and poor action-sound alignment undermined enjoyment, highlighting the need for customizable audio controls. Game mechanics revealed that realistic cooking gestures and responsive interactions significantly increased satisfaction, with gameplay variety proving essential to sustained engagement. Symbolic associations emerged primarily through cultural recognition and nostalgic memories, though these connections remained strongly personal and their evocation was not consistent. This research contributes to game-based food studies, showing that in-game food representations could have play a role in influencing player experience. The study suggests that in-game food, if thoughtfully designed, could serve as a mean to promote both sustainable and healthy food practices. Last, this thesis underlines the importance of treating in-game food representations as more than a secondary feature, as it requires a deep understanding of what its role is in shaping players' perceptions. Therefore, since digital games can be leveraged more thoughtfully in both design and food-related discourses, it creates ground for future research to better explore how in-game representations can be rightfully designed.