The gamer psychology: a psychological perspective on game design and gamification

Abstract

ABSTRACT So as to effectively personalize a game design and gamified experiences in a learning context, the psychological characteristics of the students must be inexorably considered. A rigorous search using scientific search engines was conducted in order to explore game user classification theories that can contribute to tailor game content. On the one hand, research revealed that personality traits can be highly predictive of the players’ degree of enjoyment of a wide range of game design elements (levels, points, leaderboards, etc.). On the other hand, research also showed that motivation to play is strongly dependent on context and, therefore, tailored player typologies can help predict playing styles more precisely than generic taxonomies of personality traits. Several models for classifying users were found, based on four approaches: personality traits, player types, player motivations, and gamification user types. The overview created and the diagram proposed by the researcher shows great connectivity between these models. Parallels were identified, evincing how Vandenberghe’s ([2012]. The 5 domains of play. Applying psychology’s big 5 domains to games. Proceedings of the 2012 Game Developers Conference, pp. 25–29) 5 Domains of Play model comprises the concepts of all the others. Consequently, with the purpose of tailoring an efficient gamified classroom experience, this model might be helpful when exploring the relationship between game content and learners’ personality.