While reading several of the threads around new games (particularly Alien) I was struck by comments about becoming immersed in the game. When I play a game, I am focused on the game, not the theme. Sure, the music and call-outs are great and add to the enjoyment but I don't have an 'out-of'body' experience.
Now, I get it with console games where everything is shown in first person. Where you are the person walking through the halls looking for bad guys However, I've never played a pinball game and felt this same 'connection' For example, I don't assume the role of Indiana Jones or Batman, or Bill Murray or fill-in the-blank. Perhaps it is because the first games I played were EM's? I would be interested in starting a poll on this topic, but I really don't know what the options are beyond the two extremes of 1) When I am in the 'zone' I become the role of the lead character and am transported into the theme versus 2) While I enjoy the A/V experience, when I am in the 'zone' I 'become the ball' and hit the shots exactly where I want. I'm really curious to know the emotional/psychological state people attain when playing pinball.