Methodology for Emotional Analysis of Video Game Footage

Video games are a ubiquitous form of entertainment and recently they have been adopted as a form of competition similar to traditional sporting events. It is generally agreed that video game players (both casual and professional) experience an elevated cognitive and emotional load while playing. However, little is known about the actual emotional and cognitive impact of said games. We propose here a novel approach to quantifying in-game emotional state using publicly available data (game streaming). A practical application of this method is presented in the form of a specific game analysis. The findings of this study suggest that emotional expression is directly linked to game dynamics and performance. Further studies are suggested that could build on this methodology and investigate the link between emotions, decision making, and other behavioral traits.