Hello, I'm
Zhiyu Chen
Researcher in Game Studies & Human–Computer Interaction
I study how people play, pay, and are influenced by video games — investigating monetization and dark patterns to make digital experiences fairer and more humane.
About
A little about me
I'm a PhD candidate in Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong, researching video game monetization and dark patterns in human–computer interaction. My work blends computational analysis with player-centered, mixed-method research.
Before my PhD, I completed a Master's at KU Leuven (magna cum laude), studied game studies at Kyoto University, and worked as a market analyst intern in the games industry. I care about the small details that make research rigorous and its findings meaningful for the people who play.
- FocusGame studies & HCI
- Based inHong Kong / Chengdu, China
- CurrentlyPhD candidate at CityU
- LanguagesChinese · English · Japanese · French
Work
Selected research
A few projects I've designed, conducted, and published — on game monetization, dark patterns, and player experience.
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Dark patterns in mobile games
Game studies · HCI
Abstract Proceedings of DiGRA 2026
Investigating the prevalence and co-occurrences of dark patterns across popular free-to-play mobile games, to map how monetization design shapes player behavior.
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CS:GO loot box discussions
Computational methods · Game studies
Entertainment Computing, 54
A topic modelling and sentiment analysis study of how the CS:GO community talks about weapon cases — published in Entertainment Computing.
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Live, Play, Pay: GaaS era
HCI · Mixed-methods
Proceedings of the ACM on Human–Computer Interaction
Understanding player experience in the Games-as-a-Service era through a retrospective mixed-method study — published in Proc. ACM on Human–Computer Interaction.
Music
Recent music
My latest releases under the name 最后的雪豹 — playful reworks and originals on Netease Cloud Music.
