A comparative study of portable and static lighting in 3D indie horror games
Paavo Pekka Matias Huttunen, Melih Tasci · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen) · 2026
This study investigates the impact of portable and static lighting mechanics on player behaviour, physiological stress, and subjective immersion in 3D indie horror games. Two prototypes were developed differing only in lighting condition: one used fixed environmental lighting, the other a player-controlled flashlight with no ambient sources. Data were collected from twenty participants via in-game telemetry, chest-strap heart rate monitoring, and post-session questionnaires. Static lighting produced clearer navigation, higher completion rates, and more frequent monster encounters with acute stress spikes. Portable lighting generated a higher sustained heart rate, stronger subjective fear, and greater immersion, with 80% of participants identifying it as more frightening. Despite controlling the light source, players in the portable condition reported lower perceived agency, as total darkness transformed the flashlight from a discretionary tool into a navigational necessity. The findings indicate that portable lighting is more effective at generating sustained anticipatory fear, and that a toggleable light source is a critical factor in perceived player control, offering indie developers a resource-efficient alternative to hand-crafted static lighting.