Future Games Research Articles

Gaming in the Cloud: 5G as the Pillar for Future Gaming Approaches

Gaming in the Cloud: 5G as the Pillar for Future Gaming Approaches

Driving innovation in primary healthcare though co-creation with stakeholders in Switzerland

Abstract Issue/problem Primary healthcare systems worldwide face challenges such as socio-demographic shifts, increasing chronic diseases, rising costs, and workforce shortages, demanding innovative solutions for the future of primary care. Description of the problem Addressing the complex challenges of creating a resilient primary healthcare model involves considering interdependent factors such as health policies, funding, workforce training, technology, and evolving diseases, alongside diverse stakeholder interests. To tackle this, the ‘Health2040: Co-creation of a Future Outpatient Primary Healthcare Model in Switzerland’ project was launched in 2023 to develop a forward-looking model by integrating insights from various stakeholders. Results The project involved 40 stakeholders, including patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, policy-makers, and insurers, in two full-day workshops aimed at co-creating a vision and actionable framework for Switzerland’s future primary care. The first workshop focused on developing and visualizing potential models, while the second targeted the transition to these new models and the creation of an implementation plan. These sessions were underpinned by a comprehensive literature review on emerging primary care models, providing a scientific foundation for the discussions. Lessons Successful co-creation requires significant preparatory efforts and innovative creativity techniques, such as Future Newspapers, brainstorming, games, and user personas. Engaging stakeholders throughout various stages of the project helped to enhance relevance. Feedback from a steering group on the workshop’s concept, methodologies, and evidence synthesis was instrumental. Healthcare practitioners also contributed their insights on patient personas, ensuring the models developed were pertinent to actual healthcare practices. Stakeholder engagement process was essential for fostering innovative ideas and ensuring stakeholder buy-in for the developed solutions. Key messages • Co-creation with stakeholders is a promising way to develop innovative solutions for health systems. • Integrating stakeholder input is crucial at all the project stages, from preparation to evaluation.

An Experimental Study to Explore the Effectiveness of a 3D Maritime Serious Game Prototype: Maritime Leaders at Sea

This paper conducts a comprehensive experimental study designed to investigate the effectiveness of a maritime serious game called Maritime Leaders at Sea (ML@S). The 3D cutting-edge prototype targets to enhance leadership and teamwork skills of undergraduate maritime students via engaging them in immersive gameplay scenarios reflective of real-world challenges at sea. Competing the ML@S sessions, the number of 76 students were included in the feedback assessment survey to assess their perceptions and attitudes on the simulated environment. The feedback is also linked to the learning analytics perspective to involve time and scoring data of players through different levels at operational scenarios. Preliminary analyses reveal promising results, suggesting a positive correlation between participation in ML@S, feedbacks after sessions, and improvements in leadership and teamwork as key competencies. It is anticipated that this study will make significant contributions towards game developers, technology start-ups, educational institutions, and global shipping companies. The implications of the study offer valuable insights for the development of future serious games aimed at enhancing essential skills of maritime human resources in dynamic and high-stakes environments.

How Boardgame Players Imagine Interacting With Technology

Modern digitally-augmented boardgames have, with few exceptions, relied primarily on mobile devices rather than taking advantage of other components such as microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. What alternative shapes might such games take? And what types of player experiences might such games support? To begin to map out answers to these questions, we collected information about how 31 hobbyist boardgame players envision interacting with technology in future analogue-digital hybrid games, using a rapid idea generation activity. We employed a qualitative content analysis approach to identify their envisioned game components, player interactions with these components, and game effects triggered by these interactions. From this analysis, we constructed a taxonomy of analogue-digital hybrid board games as envisioned by players. This paper uses the taxonomy to organise a detailed discussion of players' imagined interactions. This work thus contributes a player-centric exploration of the design space of hybrid digital-analogue games, with the aim of inspiring new, alternative approaches to boardgame design. Based on the taxonomy, we have additionally released a free and open-source ideation card deck to support new avenues into the design of future hybrid games.

Advancing Mixed Reality Game Development: An Evaluation of a Visual Game Analytics Tool in Action-Adventure and FPS Genres

In response to the unique challenges of Mixed Reality (MR) game development, we developed GAMR , an analytics tool specifically designed for MR games. GAMR aims to assist developers in identifying and resolving gameplay issues effectively. It features reconstructed gameplay sessions, heatmaps for data visualization, a comprehensive annotation system, and advanced tracking for hands, camera, input, and audio, providing in-depth insights for nuanced game analysis. To evaluate GAMR 's effectiveness, we conducted an experimental study with game development students across two game genres: action-adventure and first-person shooter (FPS). The participants used GAMR and provided feedback on its utility. The results showed a significant positive impact of GAMR in both genres, particularly in action-adventure games. This study demonstrates GAMR 's effectiveness in MR game development and suggests its potential to influence future MR game analytics, addressing the specific needs of developers in this evolving area.

Navigating Academic Horizons: The Role of Location-Based Games in Multidisciplinary University Transition

The study focuses on the development and evaluation of a location-based game called CMU Journey, which is aimed at helping first-year students become acquainted with their new university setting during the phase of transition. The study’s three primary goals are to: (1) create a location-based game to improve knowledge acquisition related to university transition for freshmen; (2) evaluate the performance of the developed location-based game in supporting knowledge acquisition relevant to university transition; and (3) explore students’ experiences and perspectives with the location-based game designed for university transition. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collects quantitative data through pre-post measures as well as qualitative data synthesis using an online open-ended questionnaire. Participants in the study are from Chiang Mai University’s Humanities and Social Sciences (N = 434), Technology and Science (N = 341), and Medical and Health (N = 256) programs. The findings show that students who finished the program learned considerable information about starting university, had a favorable attitude regarding studying due to the location-based game, and experienced motivation. An examination of both quantitative data from surveys and qualitative feedback from utilized data found a mix of both positive and negative comments from users. The results presented indicate the potential of location-based games as a beneficial tool for assisting with university transition, along with opportunities for future game design and implementation improvements.

The Role of Relevance in Shaping Perceptions of Sleep Hygiene Games Among University Students: Mixed Methods Study.

Sleep games are an emerging topic in the realm of serious health game research. However, designing features that are both enjoyable and effective at engaging users, particularly university students, to develop healthy sleep habits remains a challenge. This study aims to investigate user preferences for 3 sleep game prototypes, that is, Hero's Sleep Journey, Sleep Tamagotchi, and Sleepland, and to explore their popularity and perceived utility in promoting sleep health. A mixed methods approach was used in this study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a co-design workshop involving 47 university students. Participants were presented with storyboard cards of game features and were asked to provide an overall rating on each game, as well as ratings for individual features. They were also encouraged to provide free-form comments on the features and suggest improvements. In addition, participants were asked to express their preferences among the 3 games regarding which game they would most like to play and which one they found most useful for promoting sleep health. Surprisingly, while Hero's Sleep Journey was the most popular choice among participants, Sleep Tamagotchi was perceived as the most beneficial for improving sleep health. Relevance emerged as an overarching theme in the qualitative data analysis, with 3 interconnected dimensions: psychological relevance to users' personal lives, logical relevance to sleep health, and situational relevance to users' circumstantial context. We discussed how the 3 dimensions of relevance address the autonomy and relatedness constructs outlined in the self-determination theory and proposed 3 design recommendations. Our serious sleep game prototypes demonstrated the potential to engage university students to develop healthy sleep hygiene. Future sleep game designs should aim to create a sense of relevance to users' personal lives, sleep health goals, and situational contexts. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, it is essential to develop a wide range of game genres and features to cater to diverse users. Aligning game features with sleep health goals and educating users on the design rationale through sleep knowledge are also important aspects. Furthermore, allowing users to customize their game experience and manage technology boundaries is necessary to nurture a sense of control and autonomy in the process of forming good sleep hygiene.

DEVELOPMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM RPG GAME USING UNITY WITH A* (A STAR) ALGORITHM

This research addresses the need for more engaging and interactive methods to improve elementary students' understanding of complex scientific concepts, particularly the respiratory system. To overcome the limitations of traditional teaching methods, an educational Role-Playing Game (RPG) incorporating the A* (A-Star) algorithm was developed for optimal game navigation. The study followed the ADDIE development model, which involves Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. During the analysis phase, learning needs were determined through interviews and classroom observations. The design phase involved creating game scenarios and integrating educational content with interactive elements. The A* algorithm was applied during development to ensure efficient navigation. The game was implemented in a 5th-grade classroom in Kuningan, and its effectiveness was evaluated using pre-tests, post-tests, and student questionnaires. Results demonstrated a significant increase in students' understanding, with average post-test scores rising from 58 to 85. Feedback from both students and teachers was very positive, with the game receiving a 94.2% acceptance rate. The study suggests that RPG-based educational games with intelligent algorithms like A* can greatly enhance science education by offering a more engaging and effective learning experience, contributing to advancements in technology-based learning and setting a standard for future educational game development.

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.

Dynamic Adaptative Surveillance Training in a Virtual Environment Using Real-Time Cognitive Load and Performance

Dynamic difficulty adjustment of serious games is a field of research seeking to assist participants attain an ideal learning state. To achieve this, the difficulty of a game is adjusted in real-time to approach the capabilities of the player. Many dynamic difficulty adjustment systems only measure a few variables, often solely player performance, and adjust a limited number of in-game aspects. Little research has sought to ascertain if measuring a combination of cognitive load with measures of performance in real-time leads to a more effective dynamic difficulty adjustment system. Building on research which defined ‘mental efficiency’, we conducted a novel experiment to address this gap. This is achieved by comparing two versions of a surveillance training serious game; one a linear approach and the other with our unique cognitive load and performance-based dynamic difficulty adjustment system. Our experiment included n=52 participants (26 per treatment group). The experiment demonstrates that our approach achieved similar performance outcomes with lower cognitive load, in less time than the linear difficulty approach. These results indicate that our system enhances learning capacity and may prove beneficial for future serious games.

Comparison of Tutorial Methods in Virtual Reality Games for a Better User Experience

The commercialisation of virtual reality (VR) headsets has made them more affordable and popular in gaming and entertainment. The natural interaction between the VR environment and users can maximise immersion and is crucial to VR gaming. Despite their growing popularity, educational VR games prioritise learning over immersion and require users to learn to interact with and play games using tutorials. Herein, we developed a game named Numverse with an accompanying tutorial. After selecting the tutorial content, we programmed the user interface and proposed a delivery method for the tutorial. We evaluated the user experience based on the effects of the presence or absence of the tutorial and its mode of delivery. The tutorials were of three types: no tutorial, instruction-screen tutorial, and context-sensitive tutorial, with the latter being the most preferred. The evaluation results show that presence, ability to learn controls, intrinsic motivation, and learning effectiveness are higher for the instruction-screen and context-sensitive tutorials than for no tutorial. On average, users experienced more motion sickness in the no-tutorial case, with a significant difference in nausea items. This study asserts the importance of tutorials in VR games, and its findings could improve user experience in future VR games.

A collaborative adaptation game for promoting climate action: Minions of Disruptions™

Abstract. With the onset of climate change, adaptive action must occur at all scales, including locally, placing increasing responsibility on the public. Effective communication strategies are essential, and adaptation games have shown potential in fostering social learning and bridging the knowledge–action gap. However, few research efforts so far give voice to participants that engage with collaborative games in organisational and community settings. This paper presents a novel approach to studying designer–participant interactions in adaptation games, diverging from traditional learning-focused frameworks. Specifically, it examines Minions of Disruptions™ (MoD), a collaborative tabletop board game, through the lens of how participant perception aligns with the game's design intentions as described by the game designers and facilitators. Through focus group interviews with designers and facilitators, 10 core design intentions were identified and compared with responses from post-game surveys of participants from 2019–2022. Key insights reveal that collaboration and team building are highly effective frames for climate adaptation. However, some design elements, such as time pressure, can hinder discussion, suggesting a need to balance objectives. The method adopted manages to avoid traditional expert-to-public analysis structures and places emphasis on the importance of iterative design based on participant insights. This approach provides valuable guidance for future adaptation game designs, demonstrating that games can effectively engage diverse groups and support local adaptation efforts by creating a sense of belonging and collective purpose.

Educational Games of Museums: A Literature Review

On the basis of theoretical verification and case support of gamified learning effects, educational games have been widely valued by museum education providers for their advantages in enhancing users’ intrinsic motivation, building interactive experiences, and creating social situations. This paper attempts to analyze the learning theories, game elements, and positive effects of specific educational games by conducting an integrated review of the current museum educational game literature in academia and selecting 24 thematic papers from the period 2017–2022. Based on the literature review, it is hoped that the advantages and limitations of current museum educational games can be illustrated to a certain extent, and the value of the games for education and enjoyment can be explored and utilized to provide reference for the design and development and continuous optimization of future museum educational games and promote the further deepening of museum educational functions.

Research on interregional oil cooperation-sanctions with evolutionary game

PurposeThe game strategies differ when different regions participate in the oil game. Under what circumstances will different participants choose cooperation or sanction strategies? This is the core issue of this paper.Design/methodology/approachRegarding the current and future game behavior between different regions in the oil trade, this paper constructs an evolutionary game model between two regions to explore the possibility of sanctions strategies between the two sides in different situations.FindingsThe research finds: (1) When the benefits of in-depth cooperation between the two regions are greater, both sides tend to adopt cooperative strategies. (2) When the trade conflict losses between the two regions are smaller, both sides adopt sanctions strategies. (3) When a strong region trades with a weak region, if the former adopts a sanctions strategy, the net profits are greater than the benefits of in-depth cooperation between the two regions. If the latter adopts a sanctions strategy, the net profits are less than the trade conflict losses between the two regions. There will be the strong region adopting a sanctions strategy and the weak region adopting a non-sanctions strategy. At this time, the latter should reasonably balance the immediate and future interests and give up some current interests in exchange for in-depth cooperation between the two regions. Otherwise, it will fall into the situation of unilateral sanctions by the strong against the weak.Originality/valueThere is no paper in the existing literature that uses the evolutionary game method to analyze the oil game problem between the two regions. This paper constructs a two-party evolutionary game model composed of crude oil importers and crude oil exporters and, based on this, analyzes the evolutionary stability between the two regions under sanctions and cooperation strategies, which enriches the energy research field.

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.

Development and implementation of an injury and illness surveillance system for team USA

BackgroundThe purpose of this report is to provide insight and details regarding the development and implementation of an injury and illness surveillance (IIS) system for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).MethodsThe development and deployment of the IIS employed a multiphase approach. First, researchers determined variables to include in the IIS using the recommendations from the 2020 IOC consensus statement for reporting sport epidemiological data. Second, the hosting and deployment platforms were comprehensively evaluated for their suitability, ease of use, flexibility, and backend data structure (for both capture and aggregation). Third, focus groups consisting of the Sports Medicine department leadership and clinicians piloted the IIS system and revisions were made based on their feedback. Pilot testing of the IIS and follow-up focus groups were then conducted among all departmental clinicians to solicit additional feedback and drive further revisions. Finally, the IIS system was piloted among providers working during the 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games to refine the system for future Games. After reviewing all potential software platform options (electronic medical record [EMR] system, athlete management systems, secure data collection platforms), Qualtrics (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA) was selected to host the IIS system. This choice was made due to the inability of the EMR and athlete-management systems to make frequent updates, modify existing questions, and provide the necessary form logic for the variety of scenarios in which the IIS system would be deployed. Feedback from the department’s leadership and clinicians resulted in a number of changes, most notably being the ability to enter multiple diagnoses for a single injury event. Additionally, clinician feedback resulted in the creation of additional diagnostic codes not currently present in the OSIICS v14.0 diagnostic coding system, adding “non-sport” as an additional variable for injury setting, and developing a system for reporting return-to-sport date for time-loss injuries.DiscussionA multi-stage process of extensive planning, stakeholder feedback, and ongoing updates is required in order to successfully develop and implement an IIS system within a National Olympic and Paralynpic Committee. This process can be used to inform the development and implementation of IIS systems in other sporting organizations.

Comparative Analysis of Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant

With the rapid development of e-sports and online games, shooting games have received significant global attention and popularity. This article uses the research methodology of literature review to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the disparities and attributes of the two shooting games, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and Valorant, in terms of gameplay, community engagement, and business strategy. Through detailed analysis, this article finds that Valorant emphasizes character diversity and innovative skill systems in game design to enhance the strategy and interactivity of the game; while CS2 retains the fundamental aspects of traditional first-person shooting games, such as precise tactical execution and technical requirements, focusing on the technical depth and operational difficulty of the game. In terms of business model, CS2 continues the open market system for skin trading , fostering economic interaction among players. In contrast, Valorant adopts a more closed and direct sales approach, offering exclusive skins at fixed prices, and exerting control over the market. This research serves as a valuable resource for game developers in shaping future game design and market strategy, and it also introduces a new theoretical perspective to the field of game research, enhancing the understand of how different game designs influence player behavior and market response.

The Soulsification of video games

AbstractThe Soulsification process emerged during video game development and it influenced both player experience and industry practices. This phenomenon began to manifest following the commercial success of early Souls games such as Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, which are renowned for their punishing gameplay difficulty, complex level design, and methodical combat mechanics. This process reshapes the design of video games by making them similar to those mentioned above, and it is increasingly adopted by developers. Consequently, they become so-called Soulslike games which are influenced by FromSoftware’s Souls series. To understand this phenomenon, the number of Soulslike video game releases is analyzed. Furthermore, to understand player opinions about these games, a questionnaire was created and completed by 100 participants. The results indicate that the Soulsification process commenced in 2014, persists, and will likely continue into the future. Similarly, players generally embrace this genre and report an overall positive experience with it. These findings can inform the development of future Soulslike games.

Analysis the Enhancement of User Game Experience Based on Digital Media Designing

In the context of the digital era, video games, as an emerging form of entertainment, have become the focus of research in terms of their design and optimization of user experience. This study focuses on the application of digital music in games and its impact on player experience, aiming to reveal how music elements deepen the immersion and emotional resonance of games. According to the analysis, digital music significantly enhances game immersion and players' emotional engagement through dynamic music systems, close integration with game narratives, and innovative applications in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) games. In particular, games such as Traveler provide players with a unique empathic experience and deep emotional impact through well-designed music and sound interactions, demonstrating the central role of music in enhancing game narratives and building game worlds. However, the study also points out the technical, subjective, and culturally sensitive limitations of digital music in game design, challenges that need to be faced and overcome by future game developers and music creators alike.

Automata concepts over game design process

Discrete states linked together by events can describe a series of classical video game scenarios. Therefore, the formal concept of automata seems appropriate for describing such games. However, as simple finite automata need to keep track of past events, they are less appropriate for complex designs. By contrast, push-down automata featuring a stack present better capabilities in this context. This paper discusses an enhanced version of the classic PAC-MAN game with push-down automata. The modular design of this game allows the extraction of discrete states, and its minimalist concept enables various approaches and new versions without sacrificing its original essence. Using push-down automata expanded the game with new features, allowing an enhanced game experience. The automaton controls all aspects of the game, ensuring a consistent gameplay. The presented project demonstrates the capabilities of push-down automata in the gaming industry and their potential in future game development projects.