The effects of video games on players’ psychological experience have been the preferred research focus in the field for the past two decades. Recently, researchers have shifted their attention from the effects of adversity to the embrace of empathy. Narrative-focused video games, specifically, allow players to form an empathetic relationship with the characters of a game. The aim of the present thesis is to provide a comprehensive and unique synthesis of the effects of principal narrative elements on video game players’ experience of empathy. The thesis concludes that perspective-taking, the implementation of narrative techniques, and player immersion are the key factors through which empathy is experienced. Although ludic gameplay is negatively correlated to empathy, it is nevertheless a necessary dimension of video games which, in combination with narrative methods, can be potentially utilized to elicit an empathetic response from players.
The shipping industry is crucial for global trade but faces inefficiencies leading to high costs and delivery overlays. Thanks to the Shipping Routing Optimization System (SROS), these challenges are addressed by implementing path finding techniques and
visualization methods. The system seeks to enhance operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety in maritime logistics, with broad implications for both
the industry and academic research
Many companies choose to perform internal cybersecurity assessments to test and train their employees. This work presents two simulated attacks that would likely be used in such an assessment: a phishing attack, aimed at stealing credentials using a misleading email, and a backdoor, allowing an attacker to fully access a Windows machine and its files without the user’s knowledge. Both attacks will be explained to understand how they operate and how we can avoid becoming victims.
