A experiência do jogador em jogos empáticos: uma análise do Jogo Florence através do modelo MALTU

Abstract

This study aims to understand the factors that emotionally engage players in contemporary digital games, focusing on the relationship between User Experience (UX) and Player Experience (PX) in the empathetic game Florence (2018). The central problem lies in explaining how a game based on simple mechanics can produce a deep emotional impact, challenging the assumption that software success is primarily determined by technical performance. The main objective was to analyze the balance between functionality and emotion, seeking to identify the elements that sustain satisfaction in interactive narratives. The methodological approach combined quantitative rigor with qualitative interpretation, applying the User Textual Language Assessment Model (MALTU) to a corpus of 7,106 spontaneous user reviews collected from the Steam platform. The results indicate a phenomenon of "technical invisibility", in which interface and usability aspects become imperceptible when the narrative experience is strong. While technical usability showed little influence on player recommendation, visceral engagement, narrative construction, and visual aesthetics emerged as the main pillars of player experience. The study concludes that the simplicity of Florence is not a limitation, but a deliberate design strategy that enhances emotional immersion, reinforcing the role of empathetic games as powerful tools for human connection.