Co-Operative Platformer Game: A New Naturalistic Method of Anger Induction

Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2026.

Medvedeva A., Rudenkiy N., Kosonogov V.

The induction of anger in laboratory settings remains a methodological challenge, as common paradigms often require induction-oriented focus that precludes simultaneous tasks, lack standardization, and elicit co- occurring emotions. This study aimed to develop and test a novel, engaging co-operative platformer game to induce anger through provocation, naturally immersing participants in the scenario, which allows investigating emotions in dynamics. The game was designed to impede goal achievement via poor performance of a fictitious partner, causing shared failures. Evaluation of the game efficacy included self- reports and physiological markers of emotional state. Self-reports confirmed that the game successfully provoked negative affect, with increased anger, sadness, and disgust. Physiological data indicated high arousal and expressivity during failures in the game. The co-operative platformer game presents a useful and engaging paradigm for negative emotion induction, incorporating an anger component. It successfully combines ecological validity with the methodological advantages of game-based tools, such as stan- dardization, customizability, multitrial design, and suitability for simultaneous tasks.

Keywords: negative emotions, game, anger induction, co-operative task