Abstract
A higher number of people increasingly uses digital games. This growing interest in games, with different objectives, justifies the investigation of some aspects and concepts involved, such as product quality (game), usability, playability, and user or player experience, topics investigated by the multidisciplinary area called Human–Computer Interaction (HCI). Although the majority of users of these games are children and young people, an increasing number of older adults join technology and use different types of digital games. Several studies establish the increase in learning, socialization and exercise promotion, and cognitive and psychomotor skills improvement, all within the context of active and healthy aging. The objective of this work is to carry out a systematic literature review investigating the player experience of the elderly in digital games. The work allowed answering five research questions that were formulated. The evolution and maturity level of the research area are studied together with the research methods used. The factors that motivate adults to play were also analyzed; what are the recommended technical characteristics for games and some tools and metrics with which games are evaluated for older adults? Research gaps were detected in the area; there are not many specific studies on playability and player experience applied to the older adult, nor are there proven tools and metrics to evaluate them. Particular techniques for assessing and designing games focused on older adults are lacking, and quantitative studies that better identify the factors that affect the playability and experience of older adults in digital games.
Highlights
As a result of research carried out to date, engineers, health professionals and caregivers, and government entities from many countries have been looking for ways to promote the quality of life of older people
From the analysis of the publications, it could be verified that in recent years there has been an increase in publications that study the application of digital games in older adults
Carrying out the systematic review confirmed that several researchers have analyzed the concepts of usability, user experience, and playability, it is a relatively new area, so there is still little information about their applicability in the games for older adults
Summary
As a result of research carried out to date, engineers, health professionals and caregivers, and government entities from many countries have been looking for ways to promote the quality of life of older people. The robotic intervention for the rehabilitation of older adults, the age-friendly mobile phones, the sensor technology for the prevention of falls, prostheses based on 3D printers, and intelligent devices for the care of the elderly are some of the advanced technologies adopted for the welfare of the elderly. Among these technologies, digital games seem to be promising for improving the physical, social, and cognitive well-being of older people [1,2]. “Digital games” are defined as any game played with an electronic device, either online or independently, for example, a computer, a video game console, a mobile device, or interactive television.
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