Curiosity in games – a predictive processing perspective
Abstract
Why do we play? This project focuses on one aspect strangely underexplored for games: curiosity. Following the cognitive neuroscience framework of , curiosity is the drive to reduce uncertainty or expected prediction error. The faster game loops promise or achieve to reduce uncertainty, the more curiosity and “aha” moments we feel.
The : story beats, randomness, novel content, interesting decisions, ... This project lets you focus on one that interests you, with a methodological approach that plays to your strengths: qualitative, quantitative, designerly, although cognitive computational modelling approaches are particularly encouraged.
You will join the MODEL Motivation and Design Lab, an inclusive community developing better models and tools for human motivation, including 5 PhD students, 1 postdoc; international collaborators like (Aalto), (Tübingen), or (Aarhus); and industry partners like King. The project builds on rich and ongoing MODEL work on curiosity and uncertainty in , , or .
How to Apply
Please contact Professor Sebastian Deterding if you are interested in applying for this project.
For more information on submitting a PhD application, please consult our application pages here. When you submit your application, please cite this project title in the 'how you are planning to fund your PhD' section.
The deadline for submitting your application is 11 January 2027.