Game Experience Research Articles

Depth perception optimization of mixed reality simulation systems based on multiple‐cue fusion

AbstractMixed reality technology can be applied to simulation training, improve surgical performance, enhance 3D game experience, and so on, attracting extensive attention of researchers. The perception of the user about head‐mounted display MR using HoloLens is critical, especially for precision applications such as virtual hoisting. Designing and adding appropriate depth cues in MR scenes is an effective way to improve users' depth perception. In this study, taking virtual hoisting training system as an example, the depth perception strategy of multi‐cue fusion is proposed to improve the perception effect. Based on the mechanism of human depth perception, five kinds of depth cues are designed. The depth perception effect of adding single cue is studied by perceptual matching experiment. Based on the principle of fuzzy clustering, a multiple‐cue comprehensive depth optimization strategy on viewing distance scale is proposed. Finally, the perceptual matching results demonstrate the effectiveness of the multi‐cue fusion strategy, and the average error is reduced by 20.68% compared with the single‐cue strategy, which can significantly improve the spatial depth perception. This research can provide a reference for improving users' depth perception in interactive MR simulation systems.

Investigating the impact of gaming and spatial cognition on laparoscopic surgical skills

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the association between video gaming experience, spatial cognition, and laparoscopic surgical skills in a cohort of 50 medical students. Method Participants were assessed for video gaming experience, spatial cognition, and laparoscopic skills. The number of hours played per week was also recorded. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationship between these variables. Results Our findings revealed that video gaming experience and spatial cognition exerted a positive influence on laparoscopic skills. Interestingly, students who excessively indulged in video games without concomitant improvements in spatial cognition experienced a negative impact on their laparoscopic skills. Conclusions These findings underscore the potential of video gaming as a tool for improving surgical skills, but also highlight the potential downsides of excessive gaming. The positive correlation between gaming and surgical skills suggests that video games could be integrated into surgical education. Future research should focus on identifying specific video games that effectively promote visuospatial skills as well as determining the optimal balance between gaming and traditional surgical training.

Immersive artificial intelligence technology based on entertainment game experience in simulation of psychological health testing for university students

At present, the mental health problems of college students are becoming more and more prominent, but the existing mental health detection methods have certain limitations. Therefore, the combination of entertainment and game experience with artificial intelligence technology in this paper can provide a more comprehensive and accurate mental health detection scheme. The research designed an immersive entertainment game experience platform, in which artificial intelligence technology was used to detect mental health. The platform is based on emotion recognition algorithms and artificial intelligence interaction technology to assess the level of mental health of users by analyzing their behavior and emotional expression in the game. The results show that immersive artificial intelligence technology based on entertainment and game experience can effectively simulate the mental health state of college students. Compared with traditional mental health assessment methods, this technique has obvious advantages in terms of accuracy and comprehensiveness. Users also showed a high degree of acceptance and participation for this entertaining mental health detection method. This technology can provide students with a more relaxed and interesting mental health assessment experience, and can also provide accurate and comprehensive assessment results, and provide scientific and effective guidance for mental health management and intervention of college students.

The effect of players' ability to resist monsters on immersion and fear in survival horror games

Horror survival games, as a crucial segment of the video game industry, are highly regrded for their ability to evoke excitement, suspense and the challenge of overcoming obstacles and fears through wit and skill. This study delves into the impact of players' ability to confront monsters in horror survival games on their level of immersion and fear, and how these two psychological states mutually enhance the gaming experience. This research applies Python for natural language processing analyses, including sentiment analysis, keyword frequency analysis, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling, and K-Means clustering to uncover the main trends in player feedback, which is based on 5,000 user comments scraped from the Steam platform on two famous horror games, "Resident Evil 7" and "Outlast 2." Additionally, data on players' personal experiences of fear and immersion in the games are collected through surveys. The results show that the sensation of fear and successfully confronting monsters significantly enhances players' immersion of being completely engaged in the game, highlighting the importance of balancing challenge and player's ability to make choices in game design. This study provides valuable insights into understanding the psychological dynamics of players in horror survival games, guiding game designers and developers on how to create more engaging and satisfying gaming experiences that meet players' requirements.

Eliciting guilt in virtual reality games: interplay of self-attribution, presence, and morality.

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms in virtual reality (VR) games, focusing on the interplay between character morality, self-attribution, presence, guilt, and their collective impact on player enjoyment. Based on Affective Disposition Theory, it hypothesizes that players' moral judgments of characters significantly affect their engagement and enjoyment of VR narratives. A post-test between-subjects experiment was conducted with 97 participants to examine the influence of character morality on guilt through the mediation of self-attribution, and how these factors affect players' sense of presence and overall enjoyment in VR games. The findings indicate that self-attribution significantly mediates the relationship between character morality and guilt. Additionally, the sense of presence enhances enjoyment, with a stronger sense of 'being there' amplifying the emotional impact of players' moral decisions. This study highlights the full mediating effect of self-attribution in the context of VR gaming, intensifying players' emotional responses to moral dilemmas. The results suggest that VR game designers should consider the moral implications of game narratives and character actions to create more emotionally engaging and ethically reflective gaming experiences. These insights have significant implications for VR game design and ethics, promoting greater ethical sensitivity among players.

Adaptive mixed reality robotic games for personalized consumer robot entertainment

The Adaptive Mixed Reality Robot Games (AMRRG) framework represents an innovative approach to integrating consumer robots into public spaces for personalized and engaging entertainment. AMRRG uses a combination of mixed reality headsets, robot movement, and interactive objects. These responsive entertainment environments need a new way to tell their story. Admixing game mechanics algorithm utilizes the world’s most advanced depth perception, computer vision, and simultaneous mapping and localization (SLAM) to enable effective distinguishing between player spaces, mixed reality areas, and robot paths for safe interaction. Reinforcement learning enables real-time adaptation of game difficulty and gameplay mechanics as players react to it. At 35 % higher than traditional video-game installations in a 5 m × 5 m environment accommodating up to 20 people, adaptive algorithms recorded efficiency values of 92 % and responsiveness of 98 %. The AMRRG framework brings home consumer robot platforms to deliver a happy gaming experience. Future research will explore the potential of AMRRG beyond simple adaptation, extending its use to therapy and education.

Impact of a digital serious game on emotional variables of students of the master’s degree in teaching

ABSTRACT The training of future teachers requires innovative strategies that involve and motivate students. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of a digital serious game on students’ emotional variables. A total of 62 students aged 22–23 years of age from a Master’s degree participated. A digital serious game called ‘The case of the stolen exam’ was carried out in an experimental group to analyse its impact on emotional variables, in comparison with a control group that did not take part in this serious game. To evaluate several emotional variables, the Gameful Experience in Gamification scale was used, including five dimensions: enjoyment, absorption, creative thinking, activation, and absence of negative effect. Significant differences were observed favourable to the experimental group in all the questionnaire’s dimensions with an overall high effect size (r ≥ 0.61). New innovative approaches in education are needed to improve students’ commitment and motivation.

Understanding the Relationship Between User Game Preferences and Depressive Symptoms: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Following the initial measures taken to manage the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health conditions have become a critical concern. Mental health has become a foremost priority not only for health care providers but also for many other organizations, such as educational institutions, companies, and government agencies. A significant proportion of the Australian population having experienced mental disorders highlights the need for effective interventions. Those with pre-existing mental health issues experienced particularly pronounced effects. Among these challenges, advancements in technology offer new possibilities for mental health support. Videogames have shown effectiveness in mitigating symptoms of depression. Previous research has shown that game interface preferences correlate with players' emotional responses. This study aims to use MoodJumper, a game we designed, developed, and evaluated to examine the choice of game preferences in individuals with depressive symptoms. Materials and Methods: A pilot study was carried out after obtaining the Human Ethics committee's approval (n = 20). The participants were asked to fill out a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaire. They then played with the MoodJumper game for 20-30 minutes. Upon completing the game session, they were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their experience. Results: The results indicate a nonsignificant correlation between music preference, the direction of movement, and depressive symptoms meaning no significant relationship was found between depressive symptoms and chosen settings. However, a significant negative correlation was found between decision-making ability regarding game preferences and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores showing the difficulty of choosing preferred settings when having depressive symptoms. Conclusion: This contribution paves the way for designing and evaluating more impactful game experiences for individuals with mental health challenges.

Biochemical Changes in Adult Male Gamers During Prolonged Gaming: Pilot Study.

Gaming has become an integrated part of life for children and adults worldwide. Previous studies on the impact of gaming on biochemical parameters have primarily addressed the acute effects of gaming. The literature is limited, and the study designs are very diverse. The parameters that have been investigated most thoroughly are blood glucose and cortisol. This exploratory study is the first to investigate the effects of long gaming sessions on the biochemical parameters of healthy male adults. The extensive testing allowed us to observe short-term changes (within 6 hours), long-term changes during the duration of the gaming sessions, and follow-up after 1 week to determine whether any changes were longer lasting. In total, 9 experienced gamers completed 2 back-to-back 18-hour gaming sessions interspersed with a 6-hour rest period. All participants adhered to a structured sleep pattern due to daytime employment or attending university. Blood, saliva, and urine samples were collected from the participants every 6 hours. Linear mixed-effect models were used to analyze the repeated-measures data accumulated during the study. A total of 51 biochemical parameters were investigated. In total, 12 of the 51 biochemical parameters significantly changed during the study: alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, chloride, creatinine, glucose, hemoglobin, immature reticulocyte fraction, lactate, methemoglobin, sodium, and thrombocytes. All changes were within the normal range. The mean glucose level of the participants was 4.39 (SD 0.07) mmol/L at baseline, which increased significantly by 0.24 (SD 0.07) mmol/L per 6 hours during the first period and by 0.38 (SD 0.07) mmol/L per 6 hours in the second period (P<.001). The glucose levels during the second session increased even though the participants had little energy intake. Cortisol levels did not change significantly, although the cortisol pattern deviated from the typical circadian rhythm. During both gaming sessions, we observed increasing cortisol levels from 6 AM until noon. The participants were relatively dehydrated at the start of the study. The patients were asked to fast before the first blood sampling. Within the first 6 hours of the study, the participants rehydrated, followed by relative dehydration during the remainder of the study. This pattern was identified using the following parameters: albumin, creatinine, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, potassium, and platelets. This study is the first of its kind, and many of the analyses in the study yielded novel results. The study was designed to emulate the behavior of gamers during the weekend and other long gaming sessions. At this point, we are not able to determine the difference between the effects of gaming and behavior during gaming. Regardless, the results of this study suggest that healthy gamers can partake in long gaming sessions, with ample amounts of unhealthy foods and little rest, without acute impacts on health.

Enhancing middle school students’ computational thinking competency through game-based learning

AbstractComputational thinking is acknowledged as an essential competency for everyone to learn. However, teachers find it challenging to implement the existing learning approaches in K-12 settings because the existing approaches often focus on teaching computing concepts and skills (i.e., programming skills) rather than on helping students develop their computational thinking competency—a competency that can be used across disciplinary boundaries in accordance with curriculum requirements. To address this need, the current study investigated how game-based learning influenced middle school students’ learning processes, particularly on the development of computational thinking competency, self-efficacy toward computational thinking, and engagement during gameplay. Additionally, the study examined how these outcomes were moderated by individual differences. We observed evidence that the gaming experience influenced students’ computational thinking self-efficacy, but not computational thinking competency or game-based engagement. Compared to age (grade) and prior gaming experience, gender tended to play a more important role in moderating students’ computational thinking competency, self-efficacy toward computational thinking competency, and game-based engagement. Implications and possible directions for future research regarding using game-based learning to enhance computational thinking competency are discussed.

Virtual Reality Audio Game for Entertainment &amp; Sound Localization Training

Within the gaming and electronics industry, there is a continuous evolution of alternative applications. Nevertheless, accessibility to video games remains a persistent hurdle for individuals with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments due to the inherent visual-oriented design of games. Audio games (AGs) are electronic games that rely primarily on auditory cues instead of visual interfaces. This study focuses on the creation of a virtual reality AG for cell phones that integrates natural head and torso movements involved in spatial hearing. Its assessment encompasses user experience, interface usability, and sound localization performance. The study engaged eighteen sighted participants in a pre-post test with a control group. The experimental group underwent 7 training sessions with the AG. Via interviews, facets of the gaming experience were explored, while horizontal plane sound source localization was also tested before and after the training. The results enabled the characterization of sensations related to the use of the game and the interaction with the interfaces. Sound localization tests demonstrated distinct enhancements in performance among trained participants, varying with assessed stimuli. These promising results show advances for future virtual AGs, presenting prospects for auditory training. These innovations hold potential for skill development, entertainment, and the integration of visually impaired individuals.

Barriers to playing digital games: Why do some people choose not to play digital games?

While the global gaming industry has become a significant economic force, surpassing the film and music industries in market size, it has not achieved the same level of universality as its entertainment counterparts. Previous literature has mainly focused on gaming motivation, addiction, and regulation, ignoring non-game players and their barriers. Therefore, this study explores why people are hesitant to play digital games and investigates the factors that contribute to this resistance. The current study incorporates Crawford and Godbey’s (1987) leisure barriers into Innovation Resistance Theory. Of the seven barriers identified, this study categorizes four as intrapersonal, two as interpersonal, and one as a structural barrier. Further, it explores the differences between non-game players by categorizing them into those without any digital gaming experience (NG-N) and those with previous digital gaming experience (NG-F). The findings of this study suggest that perceived incompetence and negative social perception are the main barriers to playing digital games. As for the group analysis, there is a statistically significant difference between NG-N and NG-F players. These results provide valuable insights for both gaming industry, and regulatory bodies to create a better environment for the gaming ecosystem and expand its potential user base.

Influence of reinforcement learning on the inhibitory control of Internet gaming disorder.

Reward processing dysfunction and inhibition control deficiency have been observed in Internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, it is still unclear whether the previous reinforcement learning depends on reward/punishment feedback influences on the cognitive inhibitory control of IGD. This study compared the differences between an IGD group and healthy people without game experiences in the probability selection task and the subsequent stop signal task by the method of behavioral experiments, in order to explore whether the reward learning ability is impaired in the IGD group. We also discuss the influence of previous reward learning on subsequent inhibition control. The results showed that (1) during the reward learning phase, the IGD group's accuracy was significantly lower than that of the control group; (2) compared with the control group, the IGD group's reaction times were longer in the transfer phase; (3) for no-go trials of the inhibitory control phase after reward learning, the accuracy of the reward-related stimulation in the IGD group was lower than that of punishment-related or neutral stimulation, but there was no significant difference among the three conditions in the control group. These findings indicated that the reinforcement learning ability of the IGD group was impaired, which further caused the abnormal response to reinforcement stimuli.

Enhancing algorithmic reasoning and critical thinking through game- based learning: A graph theory approach

In recent years, the educational landscape has witnessed a transformative shift with the emergence of game-based learning (GBL) as a dynamic and effective strategy. This innovative educational approach engages students in a captivating manner, fostering the acquisition of essential skills vital for their intellectual growth. Among these skills are problem-solving, critical thinking, and algorithmic reasoning, which play pivotal roles in preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. This research article takes a pioneering step by delving into the integration of graph theory concepts into educational games. This approach is conceived as a novel method to amplify cognitive skills, offering a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Graph theory, renowned for its abstraction and representation of relationships between entities, brings a fresh dimension to the educational gaming experience, promising enhanced learning outcomes for students. The core objective of this study is to meticulously explore the impact of graph-based educational games on students' overall learning outcomes. Furthermore, the research endeavors to assess how these immersive games contribute to the development and application of algorithmic thinking in real-world scenarios. By seamlessly integrating graph theory into the fabric of educational games, this study aims to uncover the potential synergies between engaging gameplay and the cultivation of critical cognitive skills.

772 Assessing the Impact of Gaming Skills on Robotic Surgical Skill Acquisition and Learning Curves

Abstract Robotic surgery has rapidly advanced across various medical specialties over the past decade. Extensive research has confirmed the benefits of robotic surgery, leading to improved surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Historically, only highly experienced consultants in laparoscopic and open surgery received training in robotic surgery to the detriment of junior surgical trainees. Virtual reality simulators have introduced gamification to enhance surgical skills. Studies have shown that individuals with gaming experience, musical aptitude, and sports backgrounds exhibit improved psychomotor skills relevant to surgery, including hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and visuospatial awareness. Despite this, there is a lack of research on how gaming and musical abilities impact robotic surgical skill acquisition and learning curves. This prospective, observational, and comparative study involved 15 novice surgeons with no prior robotic experience recruited from various UK medical institutions. Participants were divided into two groups based on their video game experience. While statistical significance was not reached (p 0.26), an observed trend favoured the gaming cohort's performance (M 56.29, SD 57.85) on the robotic surgical simulator compared to the non-gamer group (M 38.41, SD 46.77) possibly due to the limited sample size. Gamers exhibited notably superior reaction time scores (p 0.037) Additionally, gamers demonstrated enhanced overall performance in spatial reasoning and the Beat Saber game, assessing hand-eye coordination, though these differences did not reach statistical significance. This study suggests that video gaming experience may provide novice surgeons with certain advantages when beginning training on the high-fidelity dVSS robotic surgical simulator. Further research with larger participant groups may confirm these findings.

Empowerment in Virtual Worlds: The Influence of Female Hero Characters on Player Self-Identity

This study examines the influence of female hero characters in virtual worlds on players’ self-identity and empowerment. The research integrates qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to explore how players’ identification with female protagonists affects their self-concept and psychological empowerment. The study’s sample included 150 participants with diverse demographics and gaming experiences. The results reveal that players who identify strongly with female hero characters report higher self-concept and empowerment scores. These findings are supported by both thematic analysis of qualitative data and statistical analysis of quantitative data, including significant differences highlighted through t-tests. Case studies further illustrate the mechanisms through which these characters influence players’ self-identity and empowerment, providing detailed narratives of personal growth and increased confidence. The study underscores the potential of video games to serve as tools for personal development and social change, emphasizing the importance of inclusive game design that promotes diverse and empowering representations.

The Relationship Between Gameful Experience and Online Mobile Gaming Adoption “An empirical study on Egyptian private university students”

The Relationship Between Gameful Experience and Online Mobile Gaming Adoption “An empirical study on Egyptian private university students”

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 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.

A step in a new direction: NVIDIA GPU kernel driver memory forensics

In the ever-expanding landscape of computation, graphics processing units have become one of the most essential types of devices for personal and commercial needs. Nearly all modern computers have one or more dedicated GPUs due to advancements in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, 3D graphics rendering, and the growing demand for enhanced gaming experiences. As the GPU industry continues to grow, forensic investigations will need to incorporate these devices, given that they have large amounts of VRAM, computing power, and are used to process highly sensitive data. Past research has also shown that malware can hide its payloads within these devices and out of the view of traditional memory forensics. While memory forensics research aims to address the critical threat of memory-only malware, no current work focuses on video memory malware and the malicious use of the GPU. Our work investigates the largest GPU manufacturer, NVIDIA, by examining the newly released open-source GPU kernel modules for the development of forensic tool creation. We extend our impact by creating symbol mappings between open and closed-source NVIDIA software that enables researchers to develop tools for both “flavors” of software. We specifically focus our research on artifacts found in RAM, providing the foundational methods to detect and map NVIDIA Object Compiler Structures for forensic investigations. As a part of our analysis and evaluation, we examined the similarities between open-and-closed kernel modules by collecting structure sizes and class IDs to understand the similarities and differences. A standalone tool, NVSYMMAP, and Volatility plugins were created with this foundation to automate this process and provide forensic investigators with knowledge involving processes that utilized the GPU.