Survival-horror game DayZ continually produces stories of camaraderie, betrayal, alliances, wars, and the struggle to live in a post-apocalyptic world. The narratives that arise simply from player interactions are so varied and intense, in fact, that Manhattan College has taken notice and secured funding from the National Science Foundation to conduct a study into player behavior in the game.

This week, a Manhattan College professor published a survey seeking information from DayZ players about their habits and experiences while playing the game. The study is funded by the NSF, which provides support for and leads studies in several different scientific areas. The information collected from this survey will help complete a larger, overarching study about the nature of online gaming. It is being led by Manhattan College professor of religious studies Robert Geraci.

“This survey is a part of research funded by the National Science Foundation to understand motivations for and outcomes from online game play,” the survey’s description states. “In particular, this survey inquires into player experiences in the survival horror game, DayZ.”

Some of the questions inquire into personal reactions to playing the game, focusing on the psychological and sociological results of a high-stress game like DayZ. For example, the survey asks questions starting with, “When hunted by infected in DayZ, how frightened are you?” and ending with, “How does attacking other players affect your behavior in the real world?”

DayZ is currently in early access on PC, and developer Bohemia Interactive is continuing to implement significant changes. If you play DayZ, how do you react to in-game events? Let us know in the comments.