Game Demands Research Articles

ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ В ИГРОВОЙ ИНДУСТРИИ

The article deals with the issues of information relations in the field of the gaming industry. Information relations are key in modern society, where more and more relationships take place through the information environment. With the advent of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the imposition of certain restrictions on citizens, society began to immerse itself more in virtual worlds and spend time there. Data for 2020 in the field of the gaming industry shows an unprecedented growth in the world of demand for computer games, the total number of active users amounted to 2.7 billion. Research and analysis of information relations took place on the example of a number of countries that are flagships of the gaming industry, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, People's Republic of China, European Union. The study was based on the legislation of these countries, where there is a certain experience and current solutions in the field of the gaming industry are applied.

Feasibility of a Web-Accessible Game-Based Intervention Aimed at Improving Help Seeking and Coping Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeTo address the gap in interventions for improving sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth) health, we tested the feasibility of a game-based intervention for increasing help-seeking, productive coping skills, resource knowledge/use, and well-being. MethodsWe conducted a 2-arm randomized controlled trial testing a theory-based, community-informed, Web-accessible computer role-playing game intervention. Control condition received a list of resources. Primary hypotheses were high levels of implementation success, game demand, and game acceptability. ResultsWe randomized 240 SGMYs aged 14-18 years into the intervention (n = 120) or control (n = 120) conditions. Participants completed baseline (100%), 1-month follow-up (T2; 73.3%), and 2-month follow-up (T3; 64.4%) surveys. Among intervention participants, 55.8% downloaded and played the game. Of those who played, 46.2% reported a desire to play it again, and 50.8% would recommend it. Game acceptability exceeded hypothesized benchmarks, wherein participants reported high positive affect (M = 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.13, 2.58), low negative affect (M = 2.75; 95% CI: 2.55, 2.95), low tension/annoyance (M = 3.18; 95% CI: 2.98, 3.39), and high competence (M = 2.23; 95% CI: 2.04, 2.43) while playing the game. In multivariable intent-to-treat analyses of 38 secondary/tertiary outcomes, intervention participants reported significantly larger reductions than control participants in cyberbullying victimization (T2 b = -.28; 95% CI: -.56, -.01), binge drinking frequency (T2 b = -.39; 95% CI: -.71, -.06), and marijuana use frequency (T3 b = -2.78; 95% CI: -4.49, -1.08). ConclusionsWe successfully implemented a Web-accessible game trial with SGMY. The game-based intervention was feasible and acceptable to SGMY, and preliminary results show it improved several health-related behaviors. A larger scale trial is needed to test whether the game-based intervention can reduce health inequities for SGMY.

Differences in performance indicators between winners and losers in senior inter county hurling championship

ABSTRACT Hurling is one of the oldest field sports in the world, yet little research has been conducted to develop our understanding of its game demands. This study aimed to create a profile of elite performance using data from three full seasons, and identify which performance indicators discriminate between winners and losers. A total of 77 Senior Inter County Hurling games (2018–2020) were analysed using NAC Sport Scout Plus, with all puckouts (5128), turnovers (6400) and shots (5695) coded. Paired sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank testing were used to interrogate differences between winners and losers. Significant differences were identified in shooting indicators, with winning teams having higher total shot count (40), shot count from open play (29.5) and shot efficiency from both open play (61%) and dead balls (77%). There were significant differences in possession metrics; winners had a lower turnover rate (53%) and higher puckouts retention (65%), exhibiting higher overall productivity (3.8). These benchmark findings, and the detailed breakdown of puckout location and turnover type, will be of considerable interest to hurling coaches and analysts.

“Small steps, or giant leaps?” Comparing game demands of U23, U18, and U16 English academy soccer and their associations with speed and endurance

The current study aimed to compare locomotive outputs across English U16, U18 and U23 academy soccer and investigate possible relationships with neuromuscular and aerobic capacities. Participants included 46 outfield players from an English Category Two soccer academy. Global positioning system (18 Hz) data were utilised to analyse locomotive outputs across twenty eleven-a-side matches in each age group. Maximal sprinting speed (MSS) and aerobic speed (MAS) were assessed at the beginning of the season. Absolute total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), acceleration and deceleration workloads were higher in U18’s and U23’s vs. U16’s (g = 1.09–2.58; p < 0.05), and absolute sprinting distances were higher in U23’s vs. U16’s (g = 0.96; p < 0.05). In addition, relative HSR outputs were higher in U23’s vs. U18’s (g = 1.84–2.07; p < 0.05). Across the whole cohort, players’ MSS was positively associated with absolute HSR and sprinting distances (ρ = 0.53–0.79; p < 0.05) but not with relative parameters. MAS was positively associated with total distance, decelerations, and both absolute and relative HSR outputs (ρ = 0.33–0.56; p < 0.05). Overall, absolute locomotive outputs were significantly higher in U23’s and U18’s vs. U16’s. Locomotive outputs were also associated with maximal sprinting and aerobic speeds. Thus, training programmes should be tailored to competition demands to optimally prepare each age group for competition and reflect the increasing demands of each level of competition. Further, improving physical fitness (speed and endurance) is likely to drive greater outputs in competition.

A Comparison of Match Demands Using Ball-in-Play versus Whole Match Data in Professional Soccer Players of the English Championship.

This is the first study to report the whole match, ball-in-play (BiP), ball-out-of-play (BoP), and Max BiP (worst case scenario phases of play) demands of professional soccer players competing in the English Championship. Effective playing time per soccer game is typically <60 min. When the ball is out of play, players spend time repositioning themselves, which is likely less physically demanding. Consequently, reporting whole match demands may under-report the physical requirements of soccer players. Twenty professional soccer players, categorized by position (defenders, midfielders, and forwards), participated in this study. A repeated measures design was used to collect Global Positioning System (GPS) data over eight professional soccer matches in the English Championship. Data were divided into whole match and BiP data, and BiP data were further sub-divided into different time points (30–60 s, 60–90 s, and >90 s), providing peak match demands. Whole match demands recorded were compared to BiP and Max BiP, with BiP data excluding all match stoppages, providing a more precise analysis of match demands. Whole match metrics were significantly lower than BiP metrics (p < 0.05), and Max BiP for 30–60 s was significantly higher than periods between 60–90 s and >90 s. No significant differences were found between positions. BiP analysis allows for a more accurate representation of the game and physical demands imposed on professional soccer players. Through having a clearer understanding of maximum game demands in professional soccer, practitioners can design more specific training methods to better prepare players for worst case scenario passages of play.

Neuro-fuzzy analytics in athlete development (NueroFATH): a machine learning approach

Athletes represent the apex of physical capacity filling in a social picture of performance and build. In light of the fundamental contrasts in athletic capacities required for different games, each game demands an alternate body type standard. Because of the decent variety of these body types, each can have an altogether different body standard. Nowadays, a large number of athletes participate in assessments and a large number of human hours are spent on playing out these assessments every year. These assessments are performed to check the physical strength of athletes and evaluate them for different games. This paper presents a machine learning approach to the physical assessment of athletes known as NueroFATH. The proposed NueroFATH approach relies on neuro-fuzzy analytics that involves the deployment of neural networks and fuzzy c-means techniques to predict the athletes for the potential of winning medals. This can be achieved using athletes’ physical assessment parameters. The goal of this study is not only to identify the athletes based on which group they fall into (gold/silver/bronze), but also to understand which physical characteristic is important to identify them and categorize them in a medal group. It was determined that features, namely height, body mass, body mass index, 40 m and vertical jump are the most important for achieving 98.40% accuracy for athletes to classify them in the gold category when they are in the bronze category. Unsupervised learning showed that features, namely body mass, body mass index, vertical jump, med ball, 40 m, peak oxygen content, peak height velocity have the highest variability. We can achieve upto 97.06% accuracy when features, i.e., body mass, body mass index, vertical jump, med ball, 40 m, peak oxygen content, peak height velocity were used.

Distilling Network Effects from Steam

This paper identifies direct network effects in the demand for video games using minimal network data, but leveraging within-consumer variation. I separately identify price elasticities on isolated individuals on the network, and on non-isolated individuals. I then use the discrepancies between estimated price elasticities to identify the direct network effect. As an empirical application, I estimate video game demands and network effects on Steam, the largest video game digital distributor in the world. I compare my method to “traditional” IV-strategies in the literature, which require detailed network data, and find similar results. A 1% increase in friends’ demands, increases demand by .3%. In counterfactuals, I find strong incentives for firms to promote the game through “influencers,” and some incentives for games to merge their gaming networks.

Comparing Weekly Training and Game Demands According to Playing Position in a Semiprofessional Basketball Team.

To compare weekly training and game demands according to playing position in basketball players. A longitudinal, observational study was adopted. Semiprofessional, male basketball players categorized as backcourt (guards; n = 4) and frontcourt players (forwards/centers; n = 4) had their weekly workloads monitored across an entire season. External workload was determined using microsensors and included PlayerLoad™ (PL) and inertial movement analysis variables. Internal workload was determined using heart rate to calculate absolute and relative summated-heart-rate-zones workload and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to calculate session-RPE workload. Comparisons between weekly training and game demands were made using linear mixed models and effect sizes in each positional group. In backcourt players, higher relative PL (P = .04, very large) and relative summated-heart-rate-zones workload (P = .007, very large) were evident during training, while greater session-RPE workload (P = .001, very large) was apparent during games. In frontcourt players, greater PL (P < .001, very large), relative PL (P = .019, very large), peak PL intensities (P < .001, moderate), high-intensity inertial movement analysis events (P = .002, very large), total inertial movement analysis events (P < .001, very large), summated-heart-rate-zones workload (P < .001, very large), RPE (P < .001, very large), and session-RPE workload (P < .001, very large) were evident during games. Backcourt players experienced similar demands between training and games across several variables, with higher average workload intensities during training. Frontcourt players experienced greater demands across all variables during games than training. These findings emphasize the need for position-specific preparation strategies leading into games in basketball teams.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Video Game Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has had unexpected consequences for many industries. One of these industries is the video game industry. People increased their time at home, and they turned to play games to socialize and get away from stress. In this study, we aim to examine the effects of COVID-19 on the game industry. In the first part of our study, we discussed the social and psychological effects of games on people during the pandemic period. The share values of essential companies in the gaming industry such as Electronic Arts, Activision-Blizzard, Ubisoft, Capcom, and Take-Two and the number of daily active users and active players of Steam, the digital game platform with millions of users, were examined. We observed that there is a significant increase in the number of active players and users daily. The hypothesis that large companies in the gaming industry increased their share values were established, and this hypothesis was confirmed as a result of the hypothesis tests. We examined the pandemic period, the sector's growth, and the economic dimension of this increase. Due to the increase in the demand for video games, game companies' stock prices are also increasing.

Reflecting on the Game: Situational Stressors, Stress Responses, and Coping in German Elite Volleyball Referees

This study uses a thematic content analysis to analyze common stressors for volleyball referees, examine the individual triggered stress responses, and identify the applied coping strategies. A total of 38 German elite volleyball referees (24 male and 14 female,Mage = 38.29 years,SD = 7.91 years) were considered for this study. Through the analysis, 17 stressful events, 14 stress responses, and 6 different coping strategies were identified and further clustered into four main dimensions. Common stressors among elite German volleyball referees were identified as stressful game situations, need for game management, situational environment, and demands on self-activation. These stressors triggered emotional stress reactions, cognitive stress reactions, changes in focus, and reactions among the test group after increased strain. In order to deal with these situations and emotions, referees applied self-regulation strategies, improved focus and concentration, searched for a solution, prepared for the match or a stressor, showed a confident appearance, and tried to accept and let go of mistakes or situations. Post hoc Pearson’s correlation analyses showed significant relationships between emotional and cognitive stress reactions with stressful game situations. Consequently, the role of coping with emotions and thoughts becomes essential for volleyball referees to remain focused and perform.

Urgent wake up call for the National Basketball Association.

Frequent air travel and the condensed game schedule typical of a National Basketball Association (NBA) team during the season, often results in accompanying sleep disturbances related to sleep length, sleep quality, and sleep timing (with highly harmful impacts on health, both physical and mental). These issues are not only problematic for NBA players, but also the coaches, training staff, and management support. In this narrative review, we summarize the detrimental effects that this travel and game schedule could have on NBA team members' sleep, as well as their physical and mental health. Multiple peer-reviewed articles address the role of sleep in athletic performance and health; however, to date, the literature focused on sleep-related issues that are unique to the NBA schedule is scarce. Firstly, this review addresses the impact of the NBA schedule, outlining the number of games and the travel involved (number of flights, the timing of flights, timings of arrival at destination and hotel); we also outline a typical daily NBA travel schedule, providing the reader a glimpse of what this encompasses. Secondly, we provide a brief overview of sleep science and discuss specific applications related to the NBA. Finally, we provide comment on the unique current situation of the NBA "bubble". Based on this review, there appears to be considerable scope for further investigation of the acute and chronic effects of sleep disturbances concerning the NBA travel and game schedule. Sleep science recommendations need to inform practice, target sleep interventions, and personalized protocols designed to enhance sleep health that can be incorporated at the organizational level.

Seasonal Variations in Game Activity Profiles and Players' Neuromuscular Performance in Collegiate Division I Basketball: Non-conference vs. Conference Tournament.

Basketball has a high demand on a player's neuromuscular system due to a high volume of explosive high-intensity actions. This study aimed to examine the seasonal variations on game demands and players' neuromuscular performance during the Non-Conference (NON-CONF) and Conference (CONF) seasons in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball. Seven NCAA Division I Basketball players' (20 ± 1.2 years, 1.95 ± 0.1 m, and 94 ± 15 kg) match activity profiles were tracked in 17 home games (7 NON-CONF; 10 CONF); furthermore, players performed a repeat hop test on a force platform the day before competition to assess neuromuscular performance. A t-test for paired samples was used to analyze the differences between NON-CONF and CONF. Results indicated no significant differences in Total Distance, Peak Speed, Acceleration, and Deceleration loads when comparing NON-CONF and CONF match-play. Regarding neuromuscular performance, Jump Height (p = 0.03; ES = 0.43) was negatively affected during CONF. Moreover, a trend toward a decline in Peak Force (p = 0.06; ES = 0.38) was found in CONF. Conversely, no differences were obtained regarding Reactive Strength Index and Contact Time. In conclusion, match-play demands remained constant across the season whilst neuromuscular outputs were inhibited during the CONF season.

Change-of-Direction Ability, Linear Sprint Speed, and Sprint Momentum in Elite Female Athletes: Differences Between Three Different Team Sports.

Freitas, TT, Pereira, LA, Alcaraz, PE, Comyns, TM, Azevedo, PHSM, and Loturco, I. Change-of-direction ability, linear sprint speed, and sprint momentum in elite female athletes: differences between three different team sports. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 262-267, 2022-The aim of this study was to compare the performance of elite female players from 3 different sports in linear sprint and change-of-direction (COD) tests and examine their efficiency for changing direction through the calculation of the COD deficit (i.e., the difference in velocity between a linear sprint and a COD task of equal distance). One hundred fifty-four elite players (rugby, n = 40, national team members; soccer, n = 57 and handball n = 57, first division players from the respective Brazilian National Championships) were assessed in the 20-m linear sprint and Zigzag COD tests. A one-way analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc was used to detect between-sport differences. Female rugby sevens players achieved faster sprint velocities than handball (20-m: 6.21 ± 0.24 m·s-1; 6.07 ± 0.27 m·s-1, respectively; p < 0.05) and soccer players (5-m: 4.71 ± 0.26 m·s-1 vs. 4.51 ± 0.20 m·s-1; and 20-m: 6.08 ± 0.19 m·s-1; p < 0.05) and exhibited the greatest COD deficits (2.95 ± 0.25 m·s-1; 2.69 ± 0.19 m·s-1; 2.82 ± 0.17 m·s-1, for rugby, handball, and soccer, respectively; p < 0.05). Handball players outperformed all other athletes in the Zigzag test (3.38 ± 0.15 m·s-1; 3.26 ± 0.10 m·s-1; 3.26 ± 0.10 m·s-1, for handball, rugby, and soccer, respectively; p < 0.05) but presented the lowest COD deficits (p < 0.05). Furthermore, soccer players displayed inferior sprint momentum when compared with the other sports (p < 0.05). Linear sprint and COD ability differ significantly among elite female athletes from different team sports, with handball players exhibiting a greater COD speed and efficiency to change direction, with respect to their maximum sprint velocity. The between-sport differences observed suggests that specific training and game demands may affect both sprint and COD performance.

EXTENDING GAMING DEMAND: SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCES OF COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SOCIAL VIDEOGAMING REQUIREMENTS

Videogames directly involve players as co-creators of on-screen events, and this interactivity is assumed to be a core source of their attraction as a successful entertainment medium. Although interactivity is an inherent property of the videogame, it is variably perceived by the end user—for some users, perceived as a more demanding process, taxing their already-limited attentional resources. At least four such demands have been explicated in extant literature: cognitive (making sense of game logics/tasks), emotional (affective responses to game events/outcomes), physical (managing controller inputs and interfaces), and social (responding to human/nonhuman in-game others). Past work has reported empirical support of these concepts through validation of closed-ended survey metrics (e.g., Video Game Demand Scale). The current study challenges and extends the demand concept through an analysis of players’ own language when describing videogame demands in short essays about gaming experiences—critical given that people may experience a phenomenon in ways not accounted for in deductive data approaches. A secondary analysis of qualitative data made freely available by VGDS authors revealed both convergence with and divergence from prior work. Comporting with VGDS, cognitive demands are mostly experienced by players as ludic concerns and physical demands are mostly experienced in relation to handheld controller perceptions. Diverging from VGDS, players’ emotional demands represented both basic and complex emotional states, and social demands manifest different depending on whether or not the social “other” is human or non-human: humans are considered demanding on interpersonal terms, whereas non-humans are considered demanding as personified evocative objects.

Anthropometric Characteristics, Maximal Isokinetic Strength and Selected Handball Power Indicators Are Specific to Playing Positions in Elite Kosovan Handball Players

Anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position. This study aimed to first examine the differences between playing positions in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance with special emphasis on the isokinetic strength of elite male handball players, and secondly to examine the correlations of the latter variables with ball velocity. Anthropometric characteristics, maximal isokinetic strength, sprinting and vertical jumping performance, and ball velocity in the set shot and jump shot were obtained from 93 elite handball players (age 22 ± 5 years, height 184 ± 8 cm, and weight 84 ± 14 kg) pre-season. Wing players were shorter compared to other players, and pivots were the heaviest. Wings had the fastest 20 m sprints, and, along with backcourt players, jumped higher, had better maximal knee isometric strength, and achieved the highest ball velocity compared to pivots and goalkeepers, respectively. There were no significant differences between playing positions in unilateral and bilateral maximal leg strength imbalances. Ball velocity was significantly correlated with height, weight, squat jump and maximal torque of extensors and flexors. Our study suggest that shooting success is largely determined by the player’s height, weight, muscle strength and power, while it seems that anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position.

How to Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data to Monitor Training Load in the "Real World" of Elite Soccer.

How to Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data to Monitor Training Load in the "Real World" of Elite Soccer.

BFM: A Bus-Like Data Feedback Mechanism Between Graphics Processor and Host CPU

Graphics processors have received an increasing attention with the growing demand for gaming, video streaming, and many other applications. During the graphics rendering with OpenGL, host CPU needs the runtime attributes to move on to the next procedure of rendering, which covers almost all the function units of graphics pipeline. Current methods suffer from the memory capacity issues to hold the variables or huge amount of data passing paths which can cause congestion on the interface between graphics processor and host CPU. This paper refers to the operation principle of commuting bus, and proposes a bus-like data feedback mechanism (BFM) to traverse all the pipeline stages and collect the run-time status data or execution error of graphics rendering, then send them back to the host CPU. BFM can work in parallel with the graphics rendering logic. This method can complete the data feedback task easily with only 0.6% increase of resource utilization and has no negative impact on performance, which also obtains 1.3 times speed enhancement compared with a traditional approach.

League Ranking Mobility Affects Attendance: Evidence From European Soccer Leagues

Ranking mobility belongs to the indicators of dynamic long-term competitive balance, as it is based on season to season changes in league rankings. If the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis holds at the league level, ranking mobility might increase demand for league games. This assumption is tested by using panel regression models on data of 19 European domestic soccer leagues. Ranking mobility is found to significantly affect average stadium attendance per game, particularly if only the top 5 ranking positions are considered. Results suggest that the closeness of competition across seasons is more important for the fans than within a season.

Airsoft: an efficient and motivating cardiovascular training choice.

Obesity and sedentarism have reached pandemic levels, postulating World Health Organization physical exercise as an important key factor for the prevention and treatment. In order to find a motivating and effective physical activity, we conducted this research intending to analyze the physiological and mechanical demands of an airsoft game. Cardiovascular and mechanical activity were analyzed by heart rate monitors and GPS in 32 sedentary subjects (27.3±6.2 years; 26.3±7.9 BMI). Participants performed moderate to vigorous aerobic intensity for 3 hours and 20 min of which 55.2% was between 60-70% of their maximal heart rate and 14.2% above 70% of it, turned into distance 9.5 km of which 91.5% was moderate and 8.5% vigorous intensity. A single airsoft game performed by sedentary subject exceed the international recommendation of physical activity and weekly physical activity of US adults' citizens. This motivating and outdoor activity is an effective alternative to increase the population's physical activity levels.

Further Validation and Cross-Cultural Replication of the Video Game Demand Scale

Abstract. The Video Game Demand Scale (VGDS) is a 26-item, five-factor scale designed to assess the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social demands experienced by video game players. Given the international relevance of video games, cross-cultural research focusing on gamers beyond the US community holds promise to substantiate and refine extant approaches. The current study introduces a German-language VGDS, which was tested for measurement invariance with respect to the original US scale as well as predictive, convergent, and concurrent validity (replicating the original VGDS validity tests). Results revealed configural and partial metric measurement invariance when compared with data from the original scale. Validity tests between the German-language VGDS and common measures of task load, entertainment, need satisfaction, and game ratings largely replicated original results. Overall, we conclude that the VGDS is a reliable, valid, and useful contribution to media psychological game research and suggest areas of future work for which an interactivity-as-demand focus might benefit.