Gameplay Experience Research Articles

Beyond Aesthetics: Players, Player-Characters and Interactivity-as-Demand in Cozy Games

Cozy games are often defined by their soft visual design, ambient audio, and low risk gameplay that addresses a range of themes from casual to meaningful. Typically, they also center on simple gameplay in terms of control schema and the ability to disconnect, as a safe, relaxing play space, and with its easy exits points to quit the game. While these aspects have been discussed in both scholarly and media entertainment writing, the demands (or lack thereof) have yet to be explored from a theoretical perspective. Through the lens of interactivity-as-demand theory, this paper aims to explore the connection between the gameplay experience as it relates to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional demands and the in-game representations of the player-character. Through this analytical lens, it is possible to understand the consistency and disconnect of demands as experienced by the player compared to how they are (re)presented on screen which has potential implications related to the player’s expectations and design principles of cozy games.

Echoes of Player Experience: A Literature Review on Audio Assessment and Player Experience in Games

Player Experience (PX) in video games is a multifaceted construct encompassing affective, perceived, and subjective dimensions. While extensively explored in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and games user research studies, the practical evaluation of PX, especially concerning audio elements, remains challenging. This paper presents a Literature Review (LR) (n=26), which addresses the gap in the literature related to audio in PX evaluation, unveiling trends and issues. We used Creswell's methodology for LR, exploring three major research questions that investigate the approaches, instruments, and methodologies used to evaluate audio in digital games, the constructs of player experience related to audio assessment, and the challenges faced by researchers in this context. Our findings underscores challenges in the generalization of study outcomes, audio personalization and variation and audio-games evaluation. This work strives to bridge the gap between research and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between audio and PX in games.

From Motivating to Manipulative: The Use of Deceptive Design in a Game's Free-to-Play Transition

Over the last decade, the free-to-play (F2P) game business model has gained popularity in the games industry. We examine the role of deceptive design during a game's transition to F2P and its impacts on players. Our analysis focuses on game mechanics and a Reddit analysis of the Overwatch (OW) series after it transitioned to an F2P model. Our study identifies nine game mechanics that use deceptive design patterns. We also identify factors contributing to a negative gameplay experience. Business model transitions in games present possibilities for problematic practices. Our findings identify the need for game developers and publishers to balance player investments and fairness of rewards. A game's successful transition depends on maintaining fundamental components of player motivation and ensuring transparent communication. Compared to existing taxonomies in other media, games need a comprehensive classification of deceptive design. We emphasize the importance of understanding player perceptions and the impact of deceptive practices in future research.

Dynamic Music Video: Categorizing the Convergence of Video Games and Music Videos

The present article examines how the aesthetics of a specific format can be applied to another, thus creating a new autonomous product. This is the case of a distinctive point in video games wherein the playthrough is imbued with music video aesthetics, and the player interacts with the music, camera movements and landscape, becoming the protagonist and architect of what I propose to define as a “Dynamic Music Video”—following Collins’ definition of “dynamic music” (2008, 139). This study analyzes the musical transmedia narratives created from Death Stranding and other contemporary games, both regarding the gameplay experience and the User-Generated Content, focusing on their bidirectional motion: one that converts the players’ experience into a music video inserted into a video game, and one that converts the video game into an autonomous music video.

Acceptability of a Serious Game About Proton Radiotherapy Designed for Children Aged 5 to 14 Years and Its Potential Impact on Perceived Anxiety: Feasibility and Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Children who are going to undergo radiotherapy have displayed fear and anxiety. Therefore, a web-based serious game was developed as a psychological preparation to investigate if it could affect anxiety levels. In an earlier stage, children with experience of radiotherapy had been part of the developmental process. The study aimed to investigate the feasibility in terms of reach, usability, and acceptability of a serious game about proton radiotherapy and to pilot that it did not increase anxiety levels in children aged 5 to 14 years undergoing radiotherapy. The design was a randomized controlled pilot trial with predefined feasibility criteria. In total, 28 children were assessed for eligibility, and 23 met the inclusion criteria. They were consecutively randomized into 1 of 2 study arms. One child was excluded after randomization. If randomized into arm 1, the children received the intervention before treatment started. Children in arm 2 were treated as controls. Questionnaires with fixed answers were used to assess anxiety levels (an adapted version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children) and experiences of gameplay (an adapted version of Player Experience of Need Satisfaction [PENS]). The children were asked to answer questionnaires at 5 different measurement occasions during their radiotherapy treatment. In arm 1, age ranged from 5 to 13 (mean 8.4, SD 2.4) years. In arm 2, age ranged from 5 to 11 (mean 7.6, SD 2.3) years. The sample consisted of 15 girls and 7 boys. The feasibility criterion that the children should play the game for 20 minutes or more was not met. Mean playtime for children in arm 1 was 32.1 (SD 23.8) minutes, where 18 children had played for at least 15 minutes. The criterion that 70% (n=16) or more of the participants should return all of the questionnaires was not met; however, more than 73% (n=16) returned the PENS questionnaires. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children was returned by 73% (n=16) on day 0, 77% (n=17) on day 1, 82% (n=18) on day 3, 82% (n=18) on day 6, and 86% (n=19) on day 15. All feasibility criteria set for the study were not met, suggesting that adaptions need to be made if a future study is to be undertaken. Further, the analysis revealed that there was no indication that playing increased the children's self-reported anxiety. The PENS questionnaire adapted for children showed promising results regarding player satisfaction when using the serious game. When studying children with severe conditions and young age, 5 measurement occasions seemed to be too many. Measuring both player satisfaction or experience and knowledge transfer would be preferable in future studies.

International players’ perceptions of localization in their gameplay experiences

Abstract Game localization is the complex industrial process of adapting digital games linguistically, culturally and technically, seeking to deliver a gameplay experience as close as possible to that of the original. Guided by Livingston’s (2018) Review Analysis methodology combined with thematic analysis, we tap into user reviews of the Taiwanese game Detention (Red Candle Games 2017) in Simplified Chinese, English and Japanese, to gauge and compare player experiences in relation to localization, and explore the scope of review data for player-focused game localization research. Our qualitative analysis implicates culturalization as an impactful underlying factor in shaping the gameplay experience, for which translation issues remain opaque. As long as certain limitations are acknowledged, real-world data such as Steam user reviews provide an alternative source that is high in ecological validity, offering promising scope for future player-focused game localization research towards enriching the international dimension of Games User Research.

Why do players spend money on mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing games? A Wixom and Todd framework

Mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) effectively motivate players to purchase in-game items, but the factors underlying purchase behavior in mobile MMORPGs remain inadequately understood. Utilizing the Wixom and Todd framework, our study explores how technological characteristics, gameplay experience, and attitudes drive players’ purchase behavior. Through online surveys and interviews, we found that advancement motivation and immersion significantly influence purchase intentions, with immersion being impacted by aesthetic design, customization, and sociability. This research expands the application of the Wixom and Todd framework into the realm of gaming and refines the immersion concept in the mobile MMORPG context.

The Stupid, the Ridiculous, the Camp: How Goat Simulator's “Messy” Design Facilitates Queer Play

This article identifies the queer potentialities of Goat Simulator by exploring how the gameplay mechanics can be understood as “stupid” and “Camp.” Moving away from representational notions of queerness, I argue that queering a game requires an alternative way to create and play. Often, the normative method of designing a videogame prioritizes technological precision and purposeful gameplay experiences. However, Goat Simulator does not fix its errors, nor does it have a cohesive narrative, instead it incorporates brokenness and goallessness as core gameplay mechanics. Goat Simulator embraces messiness as an alternative—and arguably queer—way to design and play a videogame. I conclude by arguing the importance of brokenness and stupidity as a useful pushback against normative game design and gameplay values of precision, perfection, and seriousness.

Theorizing the After-Human in Video Games

Game studies’ engagement with the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty has until this point been used to produce an account of the experience of video game play. This article demonstrates a different orientation toward phenomenology, using it as a critical apparatus to articulate a speculative historical materialism and philosophy of interrelation that we call the after-human. Through comparative close readings of two video games that follow the end of the human species—Backbone (EggNut, 2021) and SOMA (Frictional Games, 2015)—we articulate this concept using the Merleau-Pontian concept of “flesh,” or the simultaneous production of the subject and object, to levy a critique of (post)humanism and offer a futurist vision of solidarity through the intersubjective after-human.

Applications of Psychological Principles in Game Design: Unveiling the Dynamics and Psychology of Valorant

"Valorant" is a multiplayer shooter game developed by Riot Games that has gained significant popularity in the competitive gaming community. Players are provided with an immersive gameplay experience with a blend of first-person shooter mechanics, distinctive character skills, and strategic teamwork dynamics. This article explores several elements of Valorant, including agents, game types, weapons mechanics, map layouts, and team strategy through case study and some literature review. Whats more, it analyzes the roles and dynamics within teams, investigating their impact on achieving success in gameplay. Moreover, the article explores the elements of risk and safety in Valorant, providing insight into how cognitive and emotional processes influence player decision-making. This examination provides readers with valuable insights into the intricacies of Valorant and its substantial impact on the competitive gaming arena.

The associations between autistic characteristics and microtransaction spending

Microtransactions provide optional, virtual, video game goods that, for an additional cost to the player, provide additional game content and alter the gameplay experience. Loot boxes—a specific form of microtransaction—offer randomised rewards in exchange for payment, and are argued to be structurally and psychologically similar to gambling. Nascent research suggests that a link exists between autism and both problematic gaming and problematic gambling. Here, we investigated the relationships between autistic characteristics and experiences, and excessive video gaming and microtransaction expenditure. A sample of 1178 adults from Australia, Aotearoa, and The United States were recruited from Prolific Academic, and completed a survey measuring in-game expenditure, autistic characteristics and experiences, problematic gaming, problematic gambling, and risky loot box use. Analyses showed positive associations between autistic characteristics and experiences with problematic gaming and problem gambling symptomatology. However, results also showed a small, negative association between autistic characteristics and experiences and spending on loot boxes when problem gambling symptoms, problematic gaming, and risky loot box use were statistically controlled for. These results suggest that autistic gamers may be vulnerable to problematic gaming and gambling, but that this effect does not extend to the purchasing of microtransactions.

The Proteus effect in Fallout: New Vegas: Investigating gender-conforming behaviours in videogames

Avatars are often a key component of many videogames, and users can frequently develop relationships with these virtual characters that can impact their gameplay behaviour. The purpose of the present study was to explore the Proteus effect (PE) and the impact that avatar gender can have on an individual’s gameplay experience in Fallout: New Vegas, a videogame environment that has not been present in any previous PE research. A total of 353 participants were recruited using an online survey measuring three previously unexplored gameplay behaviours, comprising (i) number of quests completed, (ii) number of locations discovered, and (iii) number of non-player characters (NPCs) or enemies killed. The results of the present study indicated that players controlling an avatar of the same gender to their physical selves demonstrated a significantly greater performance across the variables of quest completion and location discovery than players controlling an avatar of a different gender. Furthermore, a newly identified potential PE consequence was found in terms of the number of NPCs or enemies killed, with players controlling a female avatar achieving a significantly higher score on this measure irrespective of the physical world gender of the user.

Exploring Fantasy Football Involvement and Mental Health through Player Experience, Engagement Levels, Social Comparisons, and Financial Incentives

Background Fantasy sports are a rapidly growing complement to the sports industry and recent research has explored the mental health experiences of those who play the game. Aim This study aimed to test the findings from two such studies ( Wilkins et al., 2021 ; Wilkins et al., 2023 ). Methods Questionnaire data measuring depression, anxiety, stress, positive mood, negative mood, problematic behaviour, and functional impairment from 635 fantasy football players were analysed using one-way ANOVAs. Results Amongst the significant results were the findings that: i) more experienced players reported less anxiety than less experienced players, and ii) players who engaged more with the game, made more social comparisons, and had greater financial involvement generally reported more mental health concerns and more positive mood than other players. Conclusion Engagement levels play an important role in determining the wellbeing experience of fantasy football participants. These findings also lend support to the ‘Framework of Hypothesised Factors Leading to Predominantly Positive or Negative Experiences in FF’ and should be used by stakeholders within the fantasy sports industry to optimise the game-playing experience of participants.

Systematic RPG Development Maximizes Player Engagement in Global Context

This study presents the systematic development of an Adventure RPG game titled "Tomorrow Will Come" using the ADDIE method, aiming to enhance understanding of RPG game development. Leveraging the Godot Engine and GDscript programming language, the research follows the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation phases. Feedback from beta testers highlights positive gameplay experiences but suggests room for improvement, particularly in gameplay difficulty. The findings underscore the significance of iterative design and player feedback in refining game mechanics. Overall, this research contributes to advancing RPG game development methodologies and emphasizes the importance of innovation and user-centric design in creating compelling gaming experiences. Highlight: 1. ADDIE method enhances structured RPG game development. 2. Player feedback refines mechanics, enhancing overall quality. 3. Godot Engine innovates technical aspects, prioritizing user-centric design. Keyword: RPG game development, ADDIE method, Godot Engine, Player feedback, Iterative design

Using Genshin Impact as an Example, Examining How Local Cultural Embedding Can Enhance the Player's Gaming Experience

This research examines how the Genshin game developers organically incorporate culture into their games and improve player experience. Using quantitative methods, researchers analyzed 3 interviews with Genshin users to explore their attitudes and feelings towards the integration of Chinese cultural characteristics into the games. Through this game, many Chinese players have developed a sense of cultural pride, and the developers are very good at the details of the game. This game also spreads Chinese culture to the world. In many foreign websites, such as YouTube, Twitter can see a lot of foreign players comments and suggestions to these games. Also, the age coverage of this game is very wide too. From middle-aged people to high school students, all show a strong interest in this game. Researchers intend to study what kind of indigenous Chinese culture is embedded in this game and to understand how indigenous Chinese culture is organically embedded in the game by comparing game screenshots with real-life photos. Next, it is also necessary to check what kind of attitude players hold towards the embedding of Chinese indigenous culture appearing in Genshin Impact on social media platforms and select a few players to interview. Based on the former, it is important to find out how the embedding of Chinese indigenous culture in the game attracts players and improves their gaming experience. Finally, it will be generalized to the general game development, how a game can attract more players to play and improve the player experience through the organic integration of indigenous culture.

The role of gaming for information, education and communication of AMR: full review of online education resources.

The first objective of the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training. Towards this several efforts have been made to create AMR awareness resources. The aim of these resources is to inform the public about responsible antibiotic use and drive positive behavioural change. Digital media and specifically games can serve as unique innovative platforms in public communication programmes. This study focuses on compiling and evaluating game-based AMR resources. Recognizing the engaging and creative potential of games as learning tools, the primary objective of this study was to identify games that can be used, individually or in combination depending on their unique focus and gameplay experience, for AMR awareness. Furthermore, games are evaluated on five objective criteria and recommendations are made towards further development of gaming resources towards AMR awareness. Meticulous curation was performed to mine information, education and communication resources, with a primary focus on games for AMR awareness and evaluating them based on game design and gameplay, AMR content and learning, engagement and replay appeal, learning outcomes, and level of difficulty and challenges. In this study, we selected 12 AMR games. Our evaluations, spanning various gamification elements and interactive parameters, informed recommendations for future AMR resource development, including multilevel game design, varied graphics, simple-to-understand rules, sustained challenge and a sense of reward, among others. This study generated the first-ever comprehensive catalogue of AMR games that may assist public communication programmes for AMR awareness. Evaluation of these games led to actionable design recommendations for future resources towards effective communication of AMR complexity, enhanced learning and awareness.

Analyzing the meta dimensions in TRPGs: Meta-action, metacognition, and metagaming

Roleplay has critically influenced academic dialogue on education, psychology, and narrative. However, little research has been conducted around "gaming sessions," specifically the "point of contact" amongst participants, due to its ephemeral qualities and the subjective nature of the co-creative process. Acknowledging the complexity of the subject, the authors established a clear set of definitions. They conducted a literature review to examine the existing understanding of critical components related to gameplay in Tabletop Roleplay Games (TRPGs). They are exploring TRPGs through the lens of narrative storytelling to understand better and categorize the 'collaborative' and 'co-designed interactions during the gameplay experience. The paper discusses the three interconnected ideas of meta-action, metacognition, and metagaming concerning the effective co-creation process and its impact on how participants collectively create and explore fantasy worlds in an imaginary cosmos by using a vast system of concepts, rules, and mechanisms that function as the background or canvas for action and interaction amongst them. As Language, Communication, and Education occupy a central role in the gaming experience, miscommunication and assumptions will lead to a break in immersion. Metagaming is commonly labeled as the "worst" that can happen in a gaming session. The problem is that it is also commonly confused with meta-action and metacognition, which are essential to the game. This article aims to provide the tools to all players that will allow them to enjoy a more engaging in-game experience, based on the idea that the more players manage metagaming properly, the better the game experience will be for all participants involved. The main focus is defining essential discourse clearly and clarifying the line between in-game and extra-game narration, description, and action. The authors will start conceptualizing the situation by defining general terms. A systematic review of the literature (SRL) integrated into the three phases, planning, management, and reporting the results, will be presented in the following sections. An analysis of the concepts of' Gaming and extra gaming' followed by brief 'Examples at the point of contact' and conversations around 'Action and Meta-actions' will serve as a reference to discuss the metacognition and metagaming concepts. Finally, the authors will present their conclusions and a glossary of terms.

City Of Dreams: An Open-World Games

In recent years, the gaming industry has witnessed a remarkable evolution, with open-world games emerging as a dominant genre that captivates players with expansive virtual worlds, intricate narratives, and immersive gameplay experiences. Among these innovative titles, "City of Dreams" stands out as a pinnacle of open-world game design, offering players a richly detailed urban landscape to explore, inhabit, and shape according to their desires. This research paper provides a comprehensive analysis of "City of Dreams," examining its technical development, player engagement dynamics, societal impact, and broader implications within the gaming industry and digital culture. The technical development of "City of Dreams" is explored in detail, encompassing various aspects such as game engine selection, character animation, environment design, and physics implementation. By delving into the technical intricacies of game development, this research sheds light on the creative processes and technological innovations that underpin the creation of immersive gaming experiences. Furthermore, the paper investigates the player engagement dynamics of "City of Dreams," exploring how its diverse gameplay mechanics, immersive world design, and compelling narrative drive player engagement and immersion. Through an analysis of player behavior, feedback, and interaction patterns, insights are gained into the factors that contribute to the game's success and longevity. Keywords—open-world games, player experience, player behavior, game development, immersive environments, Non-Playable Characters (NPCs).

Interdisciplinary Art Learning Through Artistic Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL): Evaluating Learning Outcomes and Processes Among Science and Engineering Students

The field of interdisciplinary art education, particularly through digital game-based learning, lacks empirical research on the art learning process and the competencies gained along the process. To address this research gap, this study collects data through experiment and post-experiment interviews from 20 science and engineering college students who participated in a 1-month digital game-based art learning program. The findings reveal three learning process cycles involved during art educational digital gameplay, namely the game action cycle, the experiential learning process cycle, and the game response cycle. Throughout the three process cycles, 29 learning outcomes were identified based on students’ gameplay experiences. These outcomes are then categorized into three themes, including enhanced self-management, enhanced learning experience, and refinement of proprioceptive competencies. Overall, this study highlights the digital learning process in the context of interdisciplinary art education and emphasizes the importance of valuing the outcomes gained from digital game-based learning in art education.

Chess using AI Review

This research paper explores the development of an AI chess engine leveraging the Minimax algorithm with Alpha-Beta pruning technique, implemented using Python and JavaScript programming languages. The objective is to investigate the effectiveness of these algorithms in creating a proficient and competitive chess-playing AI. The paper begins with an overview of the Minimax algorithm and its application in game theory, followed by an explanation of Alpha-Beta pruning and its role in enhancing the efficiency of the search process within the game tree. Subsequently, the implementation details of the AI chess engine in both Python and JavaScript are discussed, highlighting the design considerations, algorithmic optimizations, and programming techniques utilized. The paper also provides insights into the integration of the AI engine with a graphical user interface (GUI) for interactive gameplay experiences. Additionally, experimental results and performance evaluations are presented to assess the AI engine's strength and playing capabilities against human players or other AI opponents