The goal of this thesis is to answer the question of how does Subnautica (Unknown Worlds Entertainment, 2018) incorporate base building mechanics into its narrative progression? This research was conducted using a close reading methodology for the purpose of closely examining the key points of interest. The two authors conducted individual playthroughs of the game where they looked at the base building mechanics and narrative in Subnautica (Unknown Worlds Entertainment, 2018) using a lens constructed from theories of cognitive narratology, emergent narrative, and narrative gameplay mechanics. This lens used assemblage theory prominently as well to bridge the gaps between the previously mentioned theories. The results of the research describe in detail the inner workings of Subnautica’s (Unknown Worlds Entertainment, 2018) approach to base building mechanics and how it affects the different forms of narrative in the game. This research is beneficial for researchers and game developers that seek a deeper understanding of the impact that the integration of base building mechanics and narrative progression has on survival games.

In this study, we will explore how a restricted user interface affects the player experience in survival horror games. To test this, we created a digital survival horror game. The restricted user interface in the prototype resides in the player controller who has access to five different user interface elements. These elements are health, revolver, flashlight, compass and a watch. The results showed that the restriction and making the user interface diegetic did affect the player experience. This was presented through dividing the participant's experiences with the prototype in four categories: Challenge, Analytical, Safety and Control. Participant’s enjoyed the added challenge from the restricted user interface which also helped promote the horror experience. As a drawback, a restricted user interface resulted in participants having a harder time learning the game and understanding certain game mechanics and elements. / I denna studie så kommer vi undersöka hur ett begränsat användargränssnitt påverkar spelupplevelsen i överlevnadsskräckspel. För att testa detta så skapade vi ett digitalt överlevnadsskräckspel. Det begränsade användargränssnittet i prototypen befinner sig på den spelbara karaktären som har tillgång till fem olika användargränssnitts element. Dessa element är hälsa, revolver, ficklampa, kompass och klocka. Resultaten visar att begränsningen och genom att göra användargränssnittet diegetisk påverkade spelupplevelsen. Detta var presenterat genom att dela upp deltagarens erfarenheter med prototypen i fyra olika kategorier: utmaning, analytisk, säkerhet och kontroll. Deltagare gillade ökningen i utmaning från det begränsade gränssnittet som även hjälpte stärkte skräckupplevelsen. En nackdel med ett begränsat gränssnitt var att deltagare hade det svårare att lära sig spelet samt förstå vissa spelmekaniker och spelement.