Learning Effects of Virtual Game Worlds: An Empirical Investigation of Immersion, Enjoyment and Performance

In recent years, there is an increased interest to apply computer games to facilitate training and learning, with the expectation that simulated environment can improve trainees' performance and enjoyment in the learning activities at a relatively low cost. Such expectation is that better immersive capabilities of the computer game environment would lead to better performance, as well as making the exercise more enjoyable. The aim of this research is to confirm such belief, by defining and testing an integrated model of game immersion, enjoyment and performance. To this end, this study posits that visual aspects (in our case, vividness and visual appeal) embedded within the game design would enhance immersion, and ultimately impact on enjoyment and performance. Eighty subjects participated in an empirical test, for which World of Warcraft (WOW) - Mists of Pandaria was selected as the context. The results indicate that vividness is highly related to immersion, while immersion has significant impact on enjoyment and performance.