Spatial Design and Placemaking: Learning From Video Games

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Álvarez ◽  
Fábio Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Multiple Viewpoints ◽  
Spatial Design ◽  
Fundamental Value ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Games Development

Spatial design and placemaking are fundamental to create a vibrant urban life, whereas video games are designed primarily for temporary amusement. However, they both share the same essence of creating large-scale artificial environments for human interaction as their fundamental value. Video game developers have been successfully using spatial design tools to create virtual environments to engage players and build narratives, understanding, and appropriating many characteristics of what makes a place tick. In this article, we argue that spatial design and placemaking could learn from video games development, by incorporating features ranging from storytelling and multiple viewpoints to participatory practices and flexible design.

Gambling-like video game practices: A cross-sectional study of links with problem gambling and disordered gaming

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zendle
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Video Gaming ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Streaming Services ◽  
Clinically Significant

A variety of practices have recently emerged which are related to both video games and gambling. Most prominent of these are loot boxes. However, a broad range of other activities have recently emerged which are also related to both gambling and video games: esports betting, real-money video gaming, token wagering, social casino play, and watching videos of both loot box opening and gambling on game streaming services like Twitch.Whilst a nascent body of research has established the robust existence of a relationship between loot box spending and both problem gambling and disordered gaming, little research exists which examines whether similar links may exist for the diverse practices outlined above. Furthermore, no research has thus far attempted to estimate the prevalence of these activities.A large-scale survey of a representative sample of UK adults (n=1081) was therefore conducted in order to investigate these issues. Engagement in all measured forms of gambling-like video game practices were significantly associated with both problem gambling and disordered gaming. An aggregate measure of engagement was associated with both these outcomes to a clinically significant degree (r=0.23 and r=0.43). Engagement in gambling-like video game practices appeared widespread, with a 95% confidence interval estimating that 16.3% – 20.9% of the population engaged in these activities at least once in the last year. Engagement in these practices was highly inter-correlated: Individuals who engaged in one practice were likely to engage in several more.Overall, these results suggest that the potential effects of the blurring of lines between video games and gambling should not primarily be understood to be due to the presence of loot boxes in video games. They suggest the existence of a convergent ecosystem of gambling-like video game practices, whose causal relationships with problem gambling and disordered gaming are currently unclear but must urgently be investigated.

scholarly journals Semi-automatic construction of video game design prototypes with MaruGen

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Italo Felipe Capasso-Ballesteros ◽  
Fernando De la Rosa-Rosero
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Video Game Design ◽  
L Systems ◽  
Role Based ◽  
Game Designer ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Expression Mechanism

Machinations Ruleset Generator (MaruGen) is a semi-automatic system for the generation of mechanics, rules, spaces (environments), and missions for video games. The objective of this system is to offer an expression mechanism for the video game designer role based on the definition of rules, and the ability to explore the concepts of progression and emergence in video games by using a formal, usable, and defined tool to design games with innovative and complex elements, and behaviors defined from combinations of basic elements. Based on the expressed designs and with the participation of programmers and video game artists, MaruGen allows the generation of agile video game prototypes in the Unity game engine. These prototypes can be analyzed by the entire workgroup to look for games with diverse complexities that make them attractive to their users. MaruGen is based on the expression of rules on elements of interest in video games and the rewriting mechanism using L-Systems for the generation of procedural content. MaruGen was evaluated in the construction of the Cubic Explorer video game and tested by gamers and video game developers during the Game Jam Ludum Dare 38.

Best Practices for the Design and Development of Ethical Learning Video Games

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Rudy McDaniel ◽  
Stephen M. Fiore
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Self In Relation ◽  
Ethical Learning ◽  
Literature Base ◽  
Applied Design ◽  
Game Developers

This article builds upon earlier research (McDaniel & Fiore, 2010) in which the authors presented case studies focused on the design and development of two original ethical learning video games. Through this case study and a review of relevant literature, the authors explored the content creation of, and theoretical rationale for, the design and development of ethics games. Both games were geared toward an undergraduate student audience as casual learning games to be completed in a few hours of gameplay. To update and expand this original work, the authors reviewed contemporary research on identity, cognition, and self in relation to video game environments as well as literature dealing more specifically with ethics and video games. From this literature base and their applied design experiences, the authors offer ten guidelines as best practices to follow for aspiring ethics game developers.

scholarly journals EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION SECURITY SYSTEMS IN VIDEO GAMES

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 59-68
Author(s):  
M. V. Anfinogenov ◽  
◽  
I. S. Antyasov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Security Systems ◽  
Access Methods ◽  
Security Technologies ◽  
User Data ◽  
Video Game Consoles ◽  
Technical Features ◽  
Game Developers

This article covers the video games as a unique phenomenon in the information environ-ment, the development of security technologies and unauthorized access methods since the first video game release until the position of the video game industry in our time. Represented a step change in the interaction systems, the technical features of both hardware and software security which were used by video game developers and companies producing platforms. The analysis of the hacking techniques and methods intended for these protection systems and re-lated global incidents is made. Illustrated the formation and development of security systems of the video game consoles of subsequent generations under the influence of the mistakes and shortcomings in the data security of the prior console generations. The process of centralization and generalization of the user data integrity systems in the modern world is considere

scholarly journals Enrolling Heterogeneous Partners in Video Game Preservation

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Bettivia
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Heritage Preservation ◽  
Digital Objects ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Cultural Heritage Preservation

This article extends previous work known as Preserving Virtual Worlds II (PVWII), funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The author draws on interview data collected from video game developers, content analysis of several long-running video game series, as well as the project’s advisory board and researcher reports. This paper exposes two fundamental challenges in creating metrics and specifications for the preservation of virtual worlds; namely, that there is no one type of user or designated video game stakeholder community, and that significant properties of games cannot always be located in code or platform. The PVWII data serve to explain why existing ideas about preservation of video games are inadequate when games are treated as digital cultural heritage. Preservation specialists need to bind nebulous and dynamic digital objects, a process that is necessary while inherently artificial.  

scholarly journals A GAME WITH MUSIC OR MUSIC WITH A GAME? ABOUT THE VIDEO GAME KARMAFLOW

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 85-108
Author(s):  
LUISA JEDWILLAT ◽  
◽  
NATALIA NOWACK ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Metal Music ◽  
The Social ◽  
Heavy Metal Music ◽  
The Media ◽  
Specific Concept ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Rock Opera

Over 70 years ago, Theodor W. Adorno and Hanns Eisler philosophized about functional music in their programmatic script Composing for the Films. In spite of all the social criticism that the authors practiced with relish, it was already about the essential—the determination of a meaningful coexistence of synergetically connected art events. With the spread of video games, the question arises again and again: how to combine action and sound without falling prey to Mickey Mousing effect? As one of the youngest branches of music studies, ludomusicology describes a number of musical application scenarios, systematized according to effects and techniques. Their principles are comprehensible—under normal circumstances. With the Karmaflow—The Rock Opera Videogame, however, a project was started that leads to a new configuration between the media: in this game you play, in a manner of speaking, with or against the music itself. Because of its design, Karmaflow deserves to be considered on its own. Additionally, outside the subgroup of “music-based games”, heavy metal music is an exception among video games. The present essay illustrates the specific concept of the game which indeed can be placed in a range between video games and rock operas. The insights gained through (self-) observation are compared with the results of an exploratory survey. The survey was aimed at revealing the influence of sound on the gaming experience. The majority of respondents confirmed the connection between music and gameplay and the effect of musical characterization on some specific decisions. Test subjects, who, due to their preferences, belonged to the target group of game developers, judged differently than the other experiment participants.

scholarly journals From Scorching Desert to Tropical Paradise: New Form of Video Game Orientalism in Far Cry 3

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Angga Prawadika Aji
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
World System ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
The Third ◽  
Open World ◽  
New Form ◽  
Game Developers

This paper provides an analysis of different form of orientalism found in the third title of the popular Far Cry game series.  The open world system offered by Far Cry 3 brings a new nuance in the discourse of orientalism in video games, especially within the context of military shooter game. It provides both opportunities and challenges for developers to build ‘world’ as real as possible for players to explore. This construction process often reflects the orientalism practices shown by game developers in describing Eastern society and culture. Through a variety of activities such as hunting, exploring, sailing, and killing enemy forces, the player acts as a 'western mediator' who intepret the simulated Eastern world as a strange and mysterious territory.

Investigating the Impact of Integrating Vocabulary Exercises Into an Adventure Video Game on Second Vocabulary Learning

2020 ◽  
pp. 073563312096375
Author(s):  
Hao-Jan Howard Chen ◽  
Hsiao-Ling Hsu ◽  
Zhi-Hong Chen ◽  
Andrew G. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
New Words ◽  
Adventure Game ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
The Impact

Many studies have found that computer video games can offer a facilitative vocabulary learning environment. Among different types of computer games, adventure games have received much attention because of their rich input and immersive learning environment. However, some researchers have indicated that because of the characters’ fast-talking speed and many new vocabulary, more lexical supports should be provided in the games. This study thus developed an adventure game with two versions. One version was an adventure game and the other was the same game supported with vocabulary exercises. Two classes were randomly assigned to play two versions of the game and to take a pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test. A survey was also conducted to investigate the participants’ perceptions. The results showed that both groups acquired new words, but the experimental group performed significantly better in both the immediate and delayed post-tests. These findings indicated that the adventure game alone can help participants acquire new words. However, the inclusion of word-focused exercises further helped learners retain more new words. Thus, it is suggested that game developers can incorporate word-focused exercises into video games. The additional exercise can allow learners to benefit from both implicit and explicit vocabulary learning.

What Players Like About Video Games

2011 ◽  
pp. 232-254
Author(s):  
René Weber ◽  
Patrick Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Symbolic Representations ◽  
Quality Perceptions ◽  
Video Game Player ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Depth Interviews

Video game developers make multimillion dollar decisions based on hunches, personal experience, and iteration. A theoretical model of video game player behavior – how one chooses, plays, and evaluate games – can provide an important framework for these decisions. According to social cognitive theory, one’s behavior can be understood as the result of expected outcomes resulting from direct and observational learning processes. Video game players use symbolic representations (quality perceptions) of their direct and observed experiences with video games to build expectations of whether playing a specific video game will satisfy their needs. A series of in-depth interviews and a subsequent survey with students of a large mid-western university was conducted to enumerate groups of similar players (player types), and video game quality perceptions. Both concepts were used to provide empirical evidence for a model to predict video game playing. Results show that, in prediction models, the best player types are those that include player type-specific quality perceptions.

EXPLORATION VS. EXPLOITATION AND HOW VIDEO GAME DEVELOPERS ARE ABLE TO COMBINE THE TWO

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (06) ◽  
pp. 1650045
Author(s):  
BJÖRN REMNELAND WIKHAMN ◽  
ALEXANDER STYHRE ◽  
JAN LJUNGBERG ◽  
ANNA MARIA SZCZEPANSKA
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Creative Work ◽  
Game Development ◽  
Video Game Industry ◽  
Video Game Development ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Suitable Case

This paper reports an in-depth qualitative study about innovation work in the Swedish video game industry. More specifically, it focuses on how video game developers are building ambidextrous capabilities to simultaneously addressing explorative and exploitative activities. The Swedish video game industry is a particularly suitable case to analyze ambidexterity, due to it’s extreme market success and continuous ability to adapt to shifts in technologies and demands. Based on the empirical data, three ambidextrous capabilities are pointed out as particularly valuable for video game developers; (1) the ability to separate between a creative work climate and the effectiveness in project organizing; (2) the balancing of inward and outward ideation influences, and (3) the diversity in operational means and knowledge paired with shared goals and motivations, derived from the love of video games and video game development.

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