Game Development Research Articles

Designing preschool children's educational games for enlightenment through decision analysis methods

As an innovative form of digital online education, educational games have potentially significant impacts on preschool children's enlightenment education. Identifying key factors for effective design is crucial in game development. This study identifies key factors for the design of educational games aimed at preschool children's enlightenment through decision analysis methods. The specific research steps include using SET analysis method to identify gaps in development opportunities, employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process to construct an interactive system design model for enlightenment educational games, calculating the weight value of each factor, and pinpointing the key factors for design practice. Based on this methodology, an enlightenment educational game has been developed, and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method has been utilized to assess the practical implementation. The approach outlined in this study enables designers to swiftly recognize the critical elements in designing educational games for preschool children's enlightenment, facilitating a responsive design process, achieving effective game designs, and ultimately enhancing preschool children's learning interest and outcomes.

The emergent community of esports fans in Japan: an analysis of motivations and preferences

ABSTRACT Purpose/Rationale This study examines esports players’ and viewers’ motivations in Japan to inform market segmentation and strategy for industry stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Employing purposive sampling, data from 500 Japanese esports participants were collected through an online survey including behavioural, motivational, and demographic factors. Cluster analysis was applied to identify distinct groups. Findings Results revealed three unique clusters each for players (all-rounder players, immersive fun seekers, and skill-based players) and viewers (casual viewers, entertainment-excitement seekers and skill appreciation seekers), with each exhibiting distinct motivations and preferences. Socio-economic factors did not significantly differentiate clusters, but fan behavioural patterns were useful in characterising them. Practical Implications Our study provides insights into Japan’s market preferences for console gaming and skill development and guides stakeholders in targeted strategy development for market engagement and growth. Research Contribution By applying the Uses and Gratifications theory within the Japanese context, this study enhances esports online community research by revealing distinct segment characteristics in a culturally unique setting and enriches esports interaction understanding. Originality/value This study sheds light on the motivations and preferences of esports players and viewers in Japan’s emerging market, offering valuable insights for stakeholders to better understand and engage their audience.

Research On Game Development and Revenue Based on Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study of Netease

Research On Game Development and Revenue Based on Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study of Netease

Concussions in NCAA Football

Abstract In 1906, medical doctors published a study on the Harvard collegiate football team. They noted, “The percentage of injury is much too great for any mere sport.” Of particular concern were head injuries, which the doctors believed were significant. Subsequent research over the last century-plus has confirmed early worries. Yet the heavy cultural and financial investment in collegiate football has meant a century-long public-relations campaign to increase the social tolerance for the sport's violence and danger. While calls for football's abolishment were regular and strong in the first decades of the game's development, by the 1930s these discussions fell away. Critics were placated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's continual tinkering with the rules and promises to increase the game's safety, which ultimately has resulted in millions of dollars of research focused on sport-related traumatic brain injuries.

Development of the Flappy Helicopter Game Using Scratch

The development of the Fruit Ninja game using Scratch is an innovative and educational project. By utilizing Scratch, this game development allows users to express their creativity in designing fruit characters, sound effects, and unique game mechanics. This process also provides a deep understanding of basic programming concepts such as logic, loops, branching, and variables, presented in an intuitive and easy-to-understand interface. Additionally, this game development involves in-depth analysis in designing game flow, score management, and difficulty levels, which can enhance users' analytical skills. Through the Scratch platform, users also have the opportunity to collaborate and share projects with the online community, receive feedback, and improve their skills. With a step-by-step approach, users can start with basic features and gradually add additional features to create a fun and educational game. This project combines creativity, programming learning, and community interaction to produce a beneficial and educational product.

Creating a Fruit Ninja Game for Kids Using SCRATCH Application

The development of the Fruit Ninja game using Scratch is an innovative and educational project. By utilizing Scratch, this game development allows users to express their creativity in designing fruit characters, sound effects, and unique game mechanics. This process also provides a deep understanding of basic programming concepts such as logic, loops, branching, and variables, presented in an intuitive and easy-to-understand interface. Additionally, this game development involves in-depth analysis in designing game flow, score management, and difficulty levels, which can enhance users' analytical skills. Through the Scratch platform, users also have the opportunity to collaborate and share projects with the online community, receive feedback, and improve their skills. With a step-by-step approach, users can start with basic features and gradually add additional features to create a fun and educational game. This project combines creativity, programming learning, and community interaction to produce a beneficial and educational product.

Development of the Basket Challenge Game Using Scratch Application

The Basketball Challenge game was created using Scratch, a visual programming platform that enables the development of educational games in an easy and interactive manner. Basketball Challenge is designed with a storyline where players must collect as many balls as possible to reach the required score to advance to the next level. If players fail to collect the balls according to the target, the game will end with a game over, and players will have to start again from the initial level. Conversely, if players manage to collect the balls to meet the target, they will proceed to the next level. This study aims to explore the development process of this game, including level design, gameplay mechanics, asset creation, as well as testing and debugging. The results indicate that Scratch is an effective tool for developing educational games that can be played by all age groups, providing an enjoyable gaming experience while also training players' cognitive and motor skills.

Actualization of the content of the educational process in the artistic and creative areas of Bachelor's training in terms of the formation of digital competencies

Introduction. Currently, almost all spheres of society life activities are developing in terms of progressive digitalization, therefore it is required to promptly transform existing approaches to organizing the student learning process. The purpose of research: to determine digital competencies relevant to the field of professional activity of graduates of artistic and creative areas of training and to actualize the content of the educational process in accordance with the results obtained. Materials and methods. The study was conducted during 2021 – 2023 on the basis of the Department of Design, Art Education and Technology of Yelets State University named after I.A. Bunin. The target group included 157 respondents with experience in conducting creative activities using modern digital technologies. Empirical test methods for data collection were implemented in two ways: during direct communication and remotely using Yandex Forms. Quantitative statistical analysis was carried out using LibreOffice Calc. Results. 6 enlarged groups of digital competencies of graduates of artistic and creative areas of training, currently in demand by society and the labor market, have been identified. Based on the opinions of the respondents, they were ranked according to the degree of importance: have the skills and abilities to work with raster (16.6%) and vector (12.1%) computer graphics, design and edit pages or sites on the Internet (13.3%) , develop multimedia content (5.7%), create and edit 3D models (23.6%), use specialized programs according to the training profile (28.7%). Conclusions. The empirically obtained results were integrated into the curriculum for undergraduate training in the direction 54.03.01 Design, specialty (profile) “Design and Contemporary Digital Art”, in terms of the proportional distribution of study time between disciplines and modules focused on the development of digital competencies. The optimal sequence of developing skills in mastering specialized digital tools has been identified, which is the key to the effective outcome of the educational process. Promising vectors for the development of artistic and creative education of students have been identified, which include: design of mobile applications, creation of elements of augmented and virtual reality, development of conceptual digital games.

Gender-specific motivational pathways in ADHD-related inattention and gaming disorder symptoms

Comorbidity between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and gaming disorder (GD) is widely recognized in the literature. Previous research has indicated gender-dependent underlying mechanisms in the development and maintenance of problematic gaming. Motivational research presents an opportunity to provide further insight regarding the nature of this association. Self-report data were collected from videogame players (N = 14,740) using an online survey in collaboration with a popular gaming magazine. The survey included items concerning symptoms of ADHD and GD, motives for gaming, and time spent playing videogames. Structural equation modeling was used to create two parallel mediation models (one for males, one for females), including motives to play games as mediators. This was done to potentially explain psychological drivers of the association between ADHD and GD. Results demonstrated a common pathway from inattention to GD symptom severity through the immersion/escapism motivation for both males (β = 0.068; p < 0.001) and females (β = 0.081; p < 0.05), while the path from inattention to GD symptom severity through the habit/boredom motive (β = 0.094; p < 0.001) and competition motive (β = 0.021; p < 0.001) was only significant for males. Gamers experiencing symptoms of ADHD, especially inattentive symptoms, are at risk of the occurrence of GD symptoms through videogames becoming a source of maladaptive coping with daily psychological disturbances. Males experiencing inattentive symptoms tend to additionally develop problematic patterns of use through videogame playing, becoming a subjectively meaningless and boredom-reduction-oriented habitual activity or a platform of virtual competition. Unique differences suggest the necessity of different treatment approaches for males and females.

Chinese online game content anomie and its Influence on teenagers

With the rapid development of online games in China, the impact of these games on teenagers has attracted widespread attention. This paper takes the disorder of some online game content as a starting point, and the influence on teenagers as a practical perspective, and by analyzing the manifestations and dangers of online game content disorder, it provides reference and insight for the improvement of the online game governance system in China and the promotion of the healthy development of the online game industry.

Design and Development of the 3D Game "Catch Banana" Using Scratch 3

The game Catch Banana is designed using the Scratch 3D application as an interactive entertainment medium that educates users in the use of information technology. The game features a main character, a monkey, whose task is to catch as many bananas as possible with only one life. Each banana caught provides additional points, and players must reach a certain score to advance to the next level. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the game as a medium of entertainment and learning for various age groups. The evaluation results indicate that Catch Banana provides an engaging and educational playing experience, successfully enhancing users' skills in using the Scratch 3D application.

Factors affecting the aesthetic experiences in educational games: A qualitative investigation

Aesthetics play a pivotal role in enriching the learning experience and are indispensable for fostering optimal educational environments. This study aims to identify the factors that shape aesthetic experiences within educational gaming contexts. Employing a qualitative methodology, data were scrutinized through inductive content analysis. A review of pertinent literature on aesthetic elements from 1994 to 2022 yielded 250 selected resources. Subsequently, based on purposive sampling, 108 sources were analyzed. These sources were systematically coded and recorded in a table as key phrases pertaining to the key components of elements of game aesthetics. In the final phase, eight faculty members with expertise in educational technology and art, specializing in educational games, evaluated the factors influencing aesthetic experiences. Their collective expertise affirmed the face and content validity of the identified factors. The findings revealed six key factors that significantly shape the aesthetic experience in educational games. These factors are instrumental in fostering player immersion, as they significantly influence attention, visualization, and emotional engagement. The findings also highlight the imperative for game designers and developers to incorporate these factors into future educational games to enhance the quality of game-based learning.

Global Trends in Virtual Luxury: Examining Avatar Identification, Virtual Materialism, and Status Consumption in Online Gaming

Despite the global increase in online gaming with luxury fashion items, gamers’ purchases of these items in virtual environments remain understudied. Utilizing the diffusion of innovation theory, the research analyzes data from 268 Fortnite gamers in Fiji to understand the influence of avatar identification, materialism, and status consumption on purchasing in-game luxury fashion items. The study confirms positive relationships between relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, and in-game luxury avatar identification by employing covariance-based structural equation modeling. It also highlights how materialism and status consumption drive the intention to purchase luxury items in-game, with gamer competence reinforcing the association between avatar identification and purchase intention. The findings offer a deeper theoretical understanding of luxury fashion consumption within the context of online gaming, a rapidly growing global phenomenon. The study provides fresh insights into luxury fashion consumption in online gaming, highlighting the applicability of diffusion of innovation theory across cultures and the changing perception of luxury in virtual spaces. Its findings are valuable for game developers, marketers, and luxury brands in developing and marketing in-game luxury items to a worldwide audience. This study enriches international marketing and digital consumer behavior literature and offers strategic directions for global digital gaming marketing.

Design and Development of the Space Shooters Game Using Pygame

Space Shooter is a game that aims to shoot all the asteroids emerging from space while keeping the spaceship from colliding with them by maneuvering the spaceship. The main objective of this game is to accumulate as many points as possible by accurately shooting the asteroids. This game is developed using Pygame, a cross-platform Python module library designed for writing video games. Pygame includes computer graphics and sound libraries designed for use with the Python programming language. This study explores the development process of the "Space Shooter" game using Pygame and analyzes the effectiveness and reliability of this module in creating an interactive and engaging game. The results indicate that Pygame is an effective tool for game development, allowing easy integration of graphics and sound, and providing an intuitive interface for both novice and experienced developers.

A mixed-initiative design framework for procedural content generation using reinforcement learning

Currently, there are a significant and growing number of games and players. Creating digital games becomes a challenging task, as manual game development is costly and time-consuming. A technique known as procedural content generation (PCG) can potentially reduce both the time and production costs of games. It is feasible to automate the creation process by utilizing artificial intelligence techniques and PCG, assisting game designers in their tasks. PCG is not a novel concept, and there is a diverse range of algorithms aimed at automatically generating content in games. However, a significant number of these techniques do not incorporate artificial intelligence. This paper introduces the PCGRLPuzzle framework used to generate procedural scenarios through reinforcement learning agents trained with the policy proximal optimization algorithm. The process of building scenarios poses a challenging problem due to the existence of an exponential number of possibilities. The framework employs a mixed-initiative design, where humans and computers collaborate to create levels for 2D dungeon crawler games. We apply this framework to generate levels for three different games and analyze the results based on their expressive range, evaluating linearity and lenience. The conducted experiments demonstrate that utilizing reinforcement learning in conjunction with procedural content generation and mixed-initiative enables the generation of highly diverse levels.

Innovative Learning Approaches: Quantum Chemistry Board Games for Education and Computational Thinking Strategies

Computational thinking (CT) learning is becoming increasingly important in today's education in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The development of board games is one of the techniques used to hone problem-solving skills by integrating CT into the learning process. Through this innovative learning approach, abstract concepts in atomic structure and the periodic system of elements are integrated into components of the game. The research aims to improve students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills in challenging chemistry content such as quantum numbers. This research includes the design, development, and implementation stages of board games in learning. The N-gain score of 0.7 is achieved, indicating an improvement in the effectiveness of learning chemistry subjects on atomic structure and the periodic system of elements through the designed board games. In addition, students provide positive feedback regarding engagement and interest in learning through this interactive approach. These results indicate that the use of CT-integrated board games can be an effective tool for teaching chemistry materials at the high school level while promoting students' CT skills. Well-designed board games can be used as effective learning tools to improve student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills in quantum numbers.

GAME EDUKASI AUGMENTED REALITY BERBASIS RME (REALISTIC MATHEMATICS EDUCATION) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN COMPUTATIONAL THINKING SISWA

This research addresses the common problem in mathematics education in Indonesia, which is the students' difficulties, as reflected in Indonesia's declining ranking in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The research aims to create an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) Educational Game based on the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach to improve students' understanding of the spatial geometry mathematics subject at the elementary school level. AR technology allows students to interact with mathematical objects in real-world contexts using Android devices. This game is designed to make mathematics more engaging and relevant to elementary school students. The research was conducted at Purwantoro 1 Public Elementary School in Malang City over four months, following the Game Development Lifecycle (GDLC). The test results showed an n-gain improvement of 0.71, indicating a positive impact of the game's development on students' learning outcomes.

Museum-Inspired Video Games as a Symbolic Transitional Justice Policy: Overview, Concepts, and Research Directions

Video games are maturing as a medium to tell stories inspired by historical struggles and real-life experiences. In this regard, they could work as a mechanism in Transitional Justice pursuit. In this article, we argue that games can become agents for promoting education, reconciliation, and healing. We hence identify means by which museums and video games create empathy, reported in recent literature, and draw inceptive parallels between museum space design philosophies and design choices in modern video game experiences. Finally, we identify in the literature that there is a lack of a framework bringing together experts in memory and heritage studies with game developers, to derive guidelines for developing empathy-inducing games around sensitive topics. Thus, we propose a methodological approach to the creation of such a framework. This framework would instrument a collaborative effort to apply domain adaptation of the strategies and design philosophies for memory and Transitional Justice museum exhibitions to video game storytelling frameworks and mechanics.

Many faces, many names? Ethics in Belgian game development education

What is nowadays taught to the game creators of tomorrow in terms of ethics? The current study addresses this question by focusing on 11 higher education and continuous vocational training programs for aspiring game developers taught in Belgium. We conducted textual analyses of institutional materials and semi-structured interviews with nine educators. By combining these sources of data, this study identifies three key categories of ethical considerations that are taught to students: content and design impact, workplace standards, and diversity in gaming culture. This study also underscores educators’ proactivity in addressing gaps between curricular content, industry expectations, and student concerns. It is our hope that this study elucidates the critical potential of teaching ethics, providing actionable recommendations for educational institutions to help prepare creators navigate complex moral issues in today's gaming landscape.

Why the Gaming Industry Needs Responsible AI

Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the development, operation, and servicing of video games adds new issues to an already-complex landscape of ethical concerns. Practices, tools, and governance structures developed in responsible AI can offer effective ways to navigate this complexity.