Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
How Do Information Games Apply Environmental Storytelling in Implicit Tutorials to Enable Players’ Knowledge Acquisition and Freedom to Explore?
Fei Zhang, Pengcheng Du
30 April 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp. 475-486
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22
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What is this article about?
This thesis explores the way environmental storytelling is applied to implicit tutorials in information games, which allows players to acquire knowledge and freely explore through experiential learning. By analyzing case studies of Chant of Sennaar (Rundisc, 2023), Outer Wilds (Mobius Digital, 2019) and Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Cyan Worlds Inc, 1999), based on cognitive psychology frameworks and theories, the possibility of using environmental storytelling to guide players’ perception, memory, attention and motivation is investigated.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 30 April 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp. 475-486
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
This thesis explores the way environmental storytelling is applied to implicit tutorials in information games, which allows players to acquire knowledge and freely explore through experiential learning. By analyzing case studies of Chant of Sennaar (Rundisc, 2023), Outer Wilds (Mobius Digital, 2019) and Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Cyan Worlds Inc, 1999), based on cognitive psychology frameworks and theories, the possibility of using environmental storytelling to guide players’ perception, memory, attention and motivation is investigated. Findings suggest that balancing instructional clarity and autonomy is essential for successful tutorial design. The research provides insight for designers to improve both learning effectiveness and narrative enjoyment. Limitations include the focus on explorer-type players and the use of secondary qualitative analysis. Future research could employ empirical testing and explore applicability across broader game genres.
Keywords: information games, environmental storytelling, implicit tutorials, knowledge acquisition, freedom to explore
Cite this article
Fei Zhang, & Pengcheng Du (2026). How Do Information Games Apply Environmental Storytelling in Implicit Tutorials to Enable Players’ Knowledge Acquisition and Freedom to Explore?. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(4), 475-486. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22
@article{Fei2026,
title = {How Do Information Games Apply Environmental Storytelling in Implicit Tutorials to Enable Players’ Knowledge Acquisition and Freedom to Explore?},
author = {Fei Zhang and Pengcheng Du},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {475-486},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Fei Zhang, Pengcheng Du.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 4, pages 475-486, published by EP Journals Group on 30 April 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Fei Zhang, & Pengcheng Du (2026). How Do Information Games Apply Environmental Storytelling in Implicit Tutorials to Enable Players’ Knowledge Acquisition and Freedom to Explore?. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(4), 475-486. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E4/2026-22
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