I was surprised to see that my research on Game Transfer Phenomena was featured in an episode of CSI: Cyber. In episode 11 (season 1) ‘Ghost in the machine’. 

As a dear friend expressed to me “science fiction often act as a metaphorical mirror of our collective perspective toward technology (-for good or for bad I must add), it is significant that GTP is appearing in this context”.

In the first segment, this appears after the title sequence:

“Game transfer phenomena – when gamers believe they can mimic the physical abilities of their online avatar in the real world.” (Please note that the definition used in the episode is the actual definition of GTP.)

In the second segment, a gamer jumps from a roof thinking he can reach another roof, and the agents argue he was under the influence of GTP.

In research about GTP gamers have reported thoughts and urges to do something as in the game in day-to-day context, but in most of the cases they have hold back their impulses. Resemblances of situations or physical objects simulated in the game appear to trigger many of the GTP experiences reported to date. Although, it is worth noticing, that acting out such an “extreme” behaviour is very rare.

Here is the transcript of the segment:

Elijah: Corey told the paramedics he ran because he had drugs. Now, the charge for drug paraphernalia is virtually nothing. And then he jumps. He had to have known he wasn’t gonna make it.

Avery:  We just witnessed a prime example of Game Transfer Phenomena, or what we call “GTP under the influence”.

Elijah: GTP? Sounds like something they’ll be selling a pill for soon. (laughs)

Avery: There’s a documented history of videogamers experiencing involuntary impulses to perform gaming actions in the real world. The more they play the game, the more they are in the game, in real life. Corey thought that he could jump to that other balcony to escape.

Male voice: You got to jump, man! …

Avery: because he’d done it so many times in the game.

Elijah: That-That’s just plain crazy.

Read more on the transcript.

4 thoughts on “Game Transfer Phenomena in an episode of CSI: Cyber

  1. I think it’s amazing be able to be witness of the mention of this topic in a fiction series. This because it is a study of an effect caused by the use of fiction stories and environments, studied in the real life, and explained through fiction resources like this series. Apologize for my bad english.

  2. I think it’s amazing be able to be witness of the mention of this topic in a fiction series. This because it is a study of an effect caused by the use of stories and environments that are fiction, studied in the real life, and also, are explained through fiction resources like this series.Apologize for my bad english.

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