Exploring the Uncanny Valley with Japanese Video Game Characters

TLDR

The Uncanny Valley theory, originally proposed by Dr. Masahiro Mori, posits that near‑human robots elicit negative reactions, and this concept has been widely referenced in video game character design despite limited empirical support. This study aimed to examine how human‑like appearance influences attraction to virtual characters by surveying 60 participants on 75 characters from video games and other media. Participants evaluated each character’s appearance and attractiveness, allowing the researchers to analyze the relationship between perceived human likeness and preference.

Abstract

Dr. Masahiro Mori’s robotics design theory, the Uncanny Valley, has become a common reference in virtual character design. The theory holds that robots whose appearance is very close to being human, but not fully, will evoke a very negative human reaction. The theory is often referenced in design outside of robots, especially in video games, but there is very little data to support this application. The attempts at photorealistic graphics in the latest round of video game hardware have made reference to the valley common in even mass media discussion. This study asked 60 subjects their opinions on 75 different virtual characters from both inside and outside video games to investigate the relationship between human-like appearance and attraction. The results found definite parallels between Mori’s predictions with robots and subject opinion on virtual characters, and have direct application to video game character design.