On possibility of Empathy in Digital games: Expert Interviews

This data explores the phenomenon of empathy towards playable characters in digital games, aiming to understand whether players can develop empathetic connections similar to those experienced in other forms of fiction. Through semi-structured interviews with four experts in psychology, game design, and media research, the research delves into the multidimensional nature of empathy, encompassing both cognitive and emotional components. The interview structure follows a semi-structured format with two predetermined sets of open questions: In your opinion, is it possible to feel empathy for a digital game character? Do you know any methodology or model for designing video game characters? Each interview took around 60 minutes. E1's interview was conducted on January 5th, 2021, starting at 13:00 (Lisbon time). E2's interview took place on February 11th, 2021, at 14:00. E3's interview happened on March 25th, 2021, at 13:00. The last interview with E4 occurred on February 4th, 2022, almost one year later, due to the expert's busy schedule.