Effects of Evocative Versus Descriptive Game Names On Players' Aesthetic Evaluation

Game names provide a critical first impression, potentially shaping players' aesthetic experiences before gameplay even begins. But how different naming strategies influence player perception remains underexplored. This study investigated the impact of name type, specifically comparing evocative/conceptual names (e.g., 'Stardust Echoes') against descriptive names (e.g., 'Space Shooter'), on players' aesthetic evaluations. Across three experiments using AI-generated game concepts, evocative names consistently yielded higher ratings of liking and interest compared to descriptive or absent names. Furthermore, participants perceived original evocative names as a better fit for the game concepts and were more likely to express an intention to try games bearing such names. These results underscore the importance of a name's conceptual and evocative power, suggesting that names going beyond simple description can significantly boost a game's aesthetic appeal and initial player attraction.