Color Psychology in Video Games

A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.5727

Keywords:

Color psychology, Videogame, Emotions, Color, Graphic Interface, Digital Interactivity

Abstract

The video game industry is expanding, and it is necessary to determine if color psychology applies to its graphical interface. The main objective is to understand how the use of color psychology in video games has been studied. This study conducts a systematic review of color theory and its impact on the graphical interface. Existing studies highlight the role of color in communicating with users and enhancing game mechanics and narratives. This proposal recommends standardized criteria for evaluating color psychology in video games.

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Author Biographies

Pilar Terron-Lopez, Universidad Europea de Madrid

PhD in Color Psychology within the Graphic Interface of Video Games. Program Coordinator of the Bachelor's in Graphic and Multimedia Design at the European University of Madrid, with a professional background spanning over two decades in design, advertising, and user experience. She holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations, further complemented by a Postgraduate in Web Usability and User Experience, and a Master’s in Digital Graphic Design. Throughout her career, she has worked as a designer, art director, and creative director at renowned advertising agencies such as EURO RSCG Group, Young & Rubicam, and Ruiz Nicoli Líneas, collaborating with prestigious brands including Samsung, MoviStar, Seat, Volvo, and Real Madrid Basketball. Among her most notable projects is the redesign of Marqués de Riscal’s brand image, in collaboration with architect Frank O. Gehry for the City of Wine. Since 2014, she has combined her professional career with teaching and research.

Guillermo Castilla Cebrián, Universidad Europea de Madrid

Guillermo Castilla Cebrián. Madrid 1982.

Guillermo is currently a full time professor at UEM (Universidad Europea de Madrid) and Chair of the Scientific Committee of gEducation at Gamification World.

Master in Civil Engineering Systems by Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and Civil Engineering (Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos - 6 year long studies) by Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) he is currently working in parallel on two doctoral dissertations: one of his PhD research lines covers the area of Traffic Engineering with various publications in journals, presentations and poster sessions in National and International forums; the other research line is experimental and seeks to understand the impact of Flipped Learning methodologies in long term learning.

He has done research in the area of Education and Educational Innovation (Gamification, Flipped Classrooms, English in Education, Project Based Learning) with various publications in journals, presentations and poster sessions in National and International forums (JIIU, Red-U, etc.). He has been the author of various 100% online Subjects offered at UEM as well as the author and Project Lead for the MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) “Diseño y Evaluación de Videojuegos y Gamificación” (Design and Evaluation of Videogames and gamification) available on the MiriadaX platform, which has so far had 2 edtions with over 16000 students. He also led a team of researchers and developers in a joint effort between UEM and the IT company Avanzo for the creation of a Gamification Platform for companies and education institutions.

His research, of a statistical nature, has made him a competent data analyzer. He is no stranger to Big Data projects.

He is also the administrator and main collaborator of the Youtube channel: “Aula UE”, an educational channel on basic science and math. Lead in many motivational side-projects for the UEM he currently works with a small team of students on augmented reality apps.

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Published

2025-10-24

How to Cite

Terron-Lopez, P., & Castilla Cebrián, G. (2025). Color Psychology in Video Games: A Systematic Literature Review. VISUAL REVIEW. International Visual Culture Review Revista Internacional De Cultura Visual, 17(6), 75–93. https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.5727

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 6 (2025)

Section

Research articles

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