Given the rapid development of the video gaming industry, it is valuable to understand the effectiveness of video gaming experiences in inducing tourists’ visit intention. This study examines the relationship among presence, nostalgia, imagination proclivity, and visit intention by testing a sequential mediation model based on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) paradigm. To provide a more holistic view of how interactive media shape individuals’ attitudes toward destinations, the study employed qualitative and quantitative methods, including an experiment, eSurvey, and interviews. The experiment involves 100 students at the University of Guelph and aims to assess their psychological states and behavioural intentions after media exposure. This study gathered detailed information through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants. The proposed model expands on the current understanding of media-induced tourism by exploring the interplay among the four constructs. Findings from this study also provide insights for destination management organizations on using video games to promote tourism destinations.