Examining the Degree of Engagement of a Participant in Economic Games Using Cognitive Neuroscience Techniques

Abstract

The popularity of economic games is used mainly for learning. It causes a need for methods allowing to evaluate their content in terms of player’s satisfaction already at the pre-production stage. There are already methods to determine a player’s interest in a game, but they do not always allow for objective and unambiguous determination of a player’s involvement. Cognitive neuroscience methods can give such an assessment. The aim of the research presented in this chapter is to develop a concept of a procedure for investigating a player’s involvement in a game using cognitive neuroscience methods. The chapter presents the concept of the research procedure, the survey, the prototype of the game and the review of the engagement indexes. On the basis of the analysis of the results of the survey, it was stated, among others, that the respondents do not like to take a big risk related to money. Therefore, in the designed economy game, the player should be accustomed to taking risks in order not to be discouraged from the game. In addition, through the use of cognitive neuroscience, we are able to have knowledge of the level of engagement of the player in each part of the game. Then, game developers will be able to improve them in order to get the greatest satisfaction from the player. In the case of economic games, this will translate into a longer time spent by the player on the game, and thus his skills acquired during the game will be greater.