The FUNii Database: A Physiological, Behavioral, Demographic and Subjective Video Game Database for Affective Gaming and Player Experience Research

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Beaudoin-Gagnon ◽  
Alexis Fortin-Cote ◽  
Cindy Chamberland ◽  
Ludovic Lefebvre ◽  
Jeremy Bergeron-Boucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Affective Gaming

Empirical evaluation of player experience using a machine-learning approach to dynamic difficulty adjustment in video games

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Robb ◽  
Bo Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Control Version ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
Player Performance ◽  
Experience Of Flow

Dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) in video games involves altering the level of challenge provided based on real-time feedback from the player. Some approaches to DDA use measurements of player performance, such as success rate or score. Such performance-based DDA systems aim to provide a bespoke level of challenge to each player, so that the game is neither too hard nor too easy. Previous research on performance-based DDA shows that it is linked to better player performance, but finds mixed results in terms of player experience (e.g., enjoyment). Also, while the concept of flow is regarded as an important aspect of video game experience, little research has considered the effects of performance-based DDA on flow. We conducted an experiment on the effects of performance-based DDA on player performance, enjoyment, and experience of flow in a video game. DDA was achieved using a generalised algorithm. 221 participants played either the DDA version of the game, a control version (difficulty remained constant), or an incremental version (difficulty increased regardless of performance). Results show that the DDA group performed significantly better. However, there were no significant differences in terms of enjoyment or experience of flow.

The Impact of Health-Related User Interface Sounds on Player Experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Robb ◽  
Tom Garner ◽  
Karen Collins ◽  
Lennart E. Nacke
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
The Impact

Background. Understanding how sound functions on informational and emotional levels within video games is critical to understanding player experience of games. User interface sounds, such as player-character health, are a pivotal component of gameplay across many video game genres, yet have not been studied in detail. Method. To address this research gap in user interface sounds, we present two studies: The first study examines the impact of the presence or absence of player-health sounds on player experience. The second study explores the impact of the types of sound used to indicate player health. We use mixed methods with qualitative and physiological measures. Results. Our results reveal that despite the presence of visual cues, sound is still important to game design for conveying health-related information and that the type of sound affects player experience.

scholarly journals Unifying Rigid and Soft Bodies Representation: The Sulfur Physics Engine

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Maggiorini ◽  
Laura Anna Ripamonti ◽  
Federico Sauro
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Game Engine ◽  
Unified Approach ◽  
Game Mechanics ◽  
Physics Simulation ◽  
Game Engines ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Game Environment

Video games are (also) real-time interactive graphic simulations: hence, providing a convincing physics simulation for each specific game environment is of paramount importance in the process of achieving a satisfying player experience. While the existing game engines appropriately address many aspects of physics simulation, some others are still in need of improvements. In particular, several specific physics properties of bodies not usually involved in the main game mechanics (e.g., properties useful to represent systems composed by soft bodies), are often poorly rendered by general-purpose engines. This issue may limit game designers when imagining innovative and compelling video games and game mechanics. For this reason, we dug into the problem of appropriately representing soft bodies. Subsequently, we have extended the approach developed for soft bodies to rigid ones, proposing and developing a unified approach in a game engine: Sulfur. To test the engine, we have also designed and developed “Escape from Quaoar,” a prototypal video game whose main game mechanic exploits an elastic rope, and a level editor for the game.

scholarly journals Under Pressure

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (CHI PLAY) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Beres ◽  
Madison Klarkowski ◽  
Regan L. Mandryk
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Competitive Games ◽  
Player Performance ◽  
Public Self Consciousness

Video games frequently invoke high-pressure circumstances in which player performance is crucial. These high-pressure circumstances are incubators for 'choking' and 'clutching'-phenomena that broadly address critical failures and successes in performance, respectively. The eruption of esports into the mainstream has vitalized the need to understand performance in video games, and particularly in competitive games spaces. In this work, we explore the potential mechanisms behind choking and clutching and how they are related to player traits and tendencies. We report the results of multiple regression analyses, finding that the propensity to choke is positively correlated with Reinvestment, Obsessive Passion, and Public Self-Consciousness, as well as Approach and Avoidance coping styles. Likewise, we find that the propensity to clutch is negatively correlated with Social Anxiety, and positively with Private Self-Consciousness and player experience with competitive gaming. We propose that these findings can be utilized to scaffold and support performance in high-pressure gaming spaces, such as esports. This work represents an initial step in the empirical exploration of choking and clutching in competitive video game contexts.

The Puzzle Challenge Analysis Tool. A Tool for Analysing the Cognitive Challenge Level of Puzzles in Video Games

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (CHI PLAY) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Megan Pusey ◽  
Kok Wai Wong ◽  
Natasha Anne Rappa
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Game Features ◽  
Action Video Games ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Cognitive Challenge ◽  
Puzzle Games ◽  
Simple Action

Video games are often designed around puzzles and problem-solving, leading to challenging yet engaging experiences for players. However, it is hard to measure or compare the challenge level of puzzles in video games. This can make designing appropriately challenging puzzles problematic. This study collates previous work to present refined definitions for challenge and difficulty within the context of video games. We present the Puzzle Challenge Analysis tool which can be used to determine the best metrics for analysing the challenge level of puzzles within video games. Previous research has focused on measuring the difficulty of simple action video games, such as Pac-Man, which can be easily modified for research purposes. Existing methods to measure challenge or difficulty include measuring player brain activity, examining game features and player scores. However, some of these approaches cannot be applied to puzzles or puzzle games. For example, approaches relying on game scores will not work for puzzle games with no scoring system, where puzzles are either solved or not. This paper describes the design and development of the Puzzle Challenge Analysis tool using two case studies of commercial video games The Witness and Untitled Goose Game. The tool is also tested for generalisability on a third commercial puzzle video game, Baba Is You. This proposed tool can help game designers and researchers to objectively analyse and compare puzzle challenge and produce more in-depth insights into the player experience. This has implications for designing challenging and engaging games for a range of player abilities.

Knowledge and Experience in Video Game Play: Understanding Individual Differences and Mental Model Transfer Across Game Genres

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1587-1591
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Video Game Development ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Model Transfer ◽  
Developing Area ◽  
Human Factors Research

Research suggests that a variety of factors can alter video game play-from usability to aesthetics to expertise. An important developing area for human factors research is understanding how individual differences may influence interactions with video games, but the field lacks adequate methods for evaluating and classifying differences. This paper provides a notional framework for characterizing one critical individual difference in video game play, that of knowledge differences arising from player experience. This framework attends to common video game genres and mechanics and is illustrated using two distinct video games: Minecraft and Ark. The purpose is to highlight the sorts of knowledge making up player mental models and show how to identify the form of transferable individual differences that can be measured and improve research on video game development and use.

Conscientiousness in Game-Based Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 712-734
Author(s):  
Liu Yi ◽  
Qiqi Zhou ◽  
Tan Xiao ◽  
Ge Qing ◽  
Igor Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cognitive Learning ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Player Experiences

Background. An increasing number of studies support a mediating influence of personality on video-game preferences and player experiences, and in particular, traits associated with playfulness, such as extraversion. Educational institutions, however, tend to reward serious personality traits, such as conscientiousness. Aim.To discern how students respond to Game-Based Learning (GBL) in the classroom, and to understand if and how conscientiousness mediates GBL, we performed a field study at a leading university of technology in northeast China. Method. In May 2019, 60 bachelor and executive students in public-administration studies consecutively played two digital serious games, TEAMUP (multiplayer) and DEMOCRACY3 (single player). Data accrued through surveys with pregame measurements of personality (conscientiousness), mediating factors (motivation, player experience), learning effectiveness (cognitive and non-cognitive learning), and GBL acceptance. Results. Analysis showed a strong overall learning effect for both games. Conscientiousness significantly related to cognitive learning in both games and noncognitive learning in the multiplayer game only. Conscientiousness also significantly related to player experiences in the multiplayer game. Furthermore, the conscientiousness facet of perfectionism was a dominant factor in player experience and learning. We discuss the findings in light of several aspects around GBL that require more attention and research, especially that, alongside other factors, conscientiousness may be an important dimension to consider in the design and implementation of GBL in education, and GBL can have a positive role in the modernization of education in non-Western countries.

Playability Design Patterns

2013 ◽  
pp. 118-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amer Ibrahim ◽  
Francisco L. Gutiérrez Vela ◽  
Natalia Padilla Zea ◽  
José Luis González Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Design Patterns ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Educational Video Games ◽  
Video Game Design ◽  
Player Experience ◽  
Educational Video Game ◽  
Learning Through Play

Learning through play is currently an effective and attractive educational strategy. Recently, many educational video games have failed because methods of analysis have not been used to discuss playability level in a structured way. Ensuring a good player experience characterized by playability requires cooperation and collaboration between game designers and educators. To this end, the authors have proposed a new set of patterns to support educational video game design and analysis. These patterns aim to facilitate the development of educational video games, summarize the essential information and requirements needed to understand a particular problem and the proposed solution, and present the interrelationships between educational video game components and playability attributes.

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