Gameplay Research Articles

"Play by play": A dataset of handball and basketball game situations in a standardized space.

This paper presents a synthetic dataset of labeled game situations in recordings of federated handball and basketball matches played in Galicia, Spain. The dataset consists of synthetic data generated from real video frames, including 308,805 labeled handball frames and 56,578 labeled basketball frames extracted from 2105 handball and 383 basketball 5-s video clips. Experts manually labeled the video clips based on the respective sports, while the individual frames were automatically labeled using computer vision and machine learning techniques. The dataset encompasses seven classes of game situations: left attack, left counterattack, left penalty, right attack, right counterattack, right penalty, and timeout. In basketball, the penalty class refers to the free throws attempted by players after they have been fouled by an opposing player. Each frame in the dataset is assigned to one of these classes, considering the game situation and specific context. Importantly, the dataset does not contain actual video frames; instead, it provides a synthetic, normalized representation of each frame in JSON format. This tabular data includes player, referee, and ball positions on a normalized field, player and referee velocities, and key regions on the court. Positions of players, referees, and the ball were automatically inferred in each frame by an object detector, followed by a tracking step to detect object positions across frames and compute the velocity vectors. Finally, the obtained coordinates underwent normalization through a perspective transformation, ensuring that the data remained unaffected by variations in camera configurations across different arenas and camera setups. We refer to this standardized coordinate space as the 'unified space'. The dataset holds significant potential for reuse in various domains related to sports analytics and machine learning research. It can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, coaches, and sports enthusiasts, contributing to improvements in player performance, game strategies, match retransmissions, and sports-related technologies.

The Effect of Game Ad Outcome on Subsequent Mobile Gaming Experience: The Mediating Role of Inferred Difficulty

This study investigates the effect of game advertisement outcomes on a player's subsequent gaming experience. Research on vicarious experience shows that individuals infer game difficulty to be higher when watching game advertisements where players lose (vs. win) the game. Building on the effort-paradox paradigm, the first of this three-part study shows that such higher inferred difficulty enhances enjoyment and engagement during subsequent gaming experiences, especially for advertisements featuring easy game levels. Solely manipulating the difficulty level, Study 2 confirms the underlying mechanism of inferred difficulty for the observed effect of game advertisement outcomes. Study 3a shows that the main positive effect of losing (vs. winning) ads does not hold for advertisements featuring difficult game levels. Study 3b further explores this by focusing only on advertisements with difficult game levels, investigating how variations in players’ self-efficacy might influence their response to losing advertisements depicting difficult game levels. The findings across four studies suggest that, when promoting easy game levels, marketers can use advertisements with losing outcomes to extend gaming sessions, thereby increasing revenue from in-game advertisements. However, for difficult game levels, advertisements with losing outcomes are effective only for those with high self-efficacy.

Mindshaping, conditional games, and the Harsanyi Doctrine

ABSTRACT Much work in game theory concerns mechanisms by which players can infer information about the utilities and beliefs of other players based on actions within games and pre-play signals. When game theory is applied to interactions among people, such analysis interprets them as ‘mindreading’. Recent work in cognitive science, however, suggests that human coordination rests more centrally on ‘mindshaping’, where interactants determine preferences jointly. As mindshaping is strategic, there is motivation to extend game theory to accommodate it. Conditional Game Theory (CGT) is a strategic theory of mindshaping. We show how it can be used to help players of standard games identify correlated equilibrium, and thus solve games. We then extend CGT to address a challenge to the relevance of correlated equilibrium to empirical choice data, by showing how pre-play analysis using CGT can reconcile the Harsanyi Doctrine – assumed common priors among Bayesian players – with rank-dependent choice as observed in economic experiments.

Key Point Detection in Football Match Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Key point detection in football matches can provide effective support for understanding football videos and recognizing player movements. This study analyzes the position information of players in football matches using key point detection methods. A cascaded convolutional neural network for detection and regression is combined to design a key point detection model for the impact on football game commentary and player control rate. A first level key point detection network based on ResNet and a second level regression network based on heatmap are proposed by combining the fused stacked feature extraction and optimizing the original structure. The experiment confirmed that the model has an accuracy of 95.62% in detecting key points. At the same time, the coordinate error near the goal and other areas is relatively small. However, there is a significant coordinate error in the size exclusion zone. This research provides a certain reference for the analysis of future football matches.

Digital Dependence: Online Game Addiction to Mobile App Purchase Intention Feature

Abstract Online mobile gaming in Indonesia is growing rapidly, driving purchase intention towards premium features such as virtual items and exclusive in-game access. This study aims to analyse online mobile game addiction on mobile app feature purchase intention. This type of research uses a quantitative approach, with 426 respondents through an online survey and analysed using Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that addiction has a significant impact on loyalty and purchase intention, while loyalty has no impact on purchase intention, as well as satisfaction on loyalty, and addiction weakens the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. This study makes an important contribution to understanding the dynamics of online game addiction, player loyalty, and purchase intention of app features in the context of the mobile game market in Indonesia. JEL classification numbers: M31, D91, L86, C83. Keywords: Online-mobile games, Addiction, Loyalty, Satisfaction, Purchase intention.

Uno chemist: didactic game on the content of chemical elements

Currently, there is concern regarding the teaching-learning process of some contents, such as those related to the teaching of chemistry, which are part of actions that must be carried out in high school according to the composition matrix. One of the alternatives to solve this problem has been to build and point out teaching materials to improve the methodology of classes taught by Natural Sciences teachers. Some of these materials that can contribute to the success of the teaching-learning process are educational games. Therefore, this research aimed to use the Uno game in teaching Chemistry for content related to chemical elements. Through the applicability of the playful game, it can be inferred for the evaluation and validation of the game with students from a state high school, using a questionnaire with objective questions in a qualitative research. It was noted that the proposed game pleased 1st year high school students, proving to be a viable alternative to be used in Chemistry classes, in addition to being able to streamline such classes, making them less monotonous and more interesting.

Predicting the churn patterns of monetizers and non-monetizers: exploring the influence of behavioral variability in churn prediction

PurposeAlthough prior research has employed various variables to predict player churn, the dynamic evolution of the behavioral patterns of players has received limited attention. In this study, churn prediction models are developed by incorporating the progress level, in-game purchase, social interaction, behavioral pattern and behavioral variability (BV) of players in social casino games (SCGs). The study distinguishes churn prediction between two player groups: monetizers and non-monetizers.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs three machine learning techniques—logistic regression, decision trees and random forests—using real-world player data from an SCG company to construct churn prediction models. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, BV was combined with four other variable categories to effectively predict churn behaviors across all players (n = 52,246). In Experiment 2, churn prediction models were developed separately for monetizers (n = 16,628) and non-monetizers (n = 35,618).FindingsThe findings from Experiment 1 indicate that incorporating BV significantly improves the overall performance of churn prediction models. Experiment 2 demonstrates that churn prediction models achieve better performance and predictive accuracy for monetizers and non-monetizers when BV is calculated over the 3-day to 7-day and 7-day to 14-day windows, respectively.Originality/valueThis study introduces BV as a novel variable category for churn prediction, emphasizing within-person variability and demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing model performance. Churn prediction models were independently constructed for monetizers and non-monetizers, utilizing different time windows for variable extraction. This approach improves predictive performance and highlights key differences in critical variables influencing churn across the two player groups. The findings provide valuable insights into churn management strategies tailored for monetizers and non-monetizers.

The Relationship Between Fear of Missing Out and Internet Gaming Disorder in Gacha Game Players

Gacha is a game system for getting characters or items in video games using virtual currency. However, on average, existing gacha games have a limited gacha schedule, meaning that players have a limited time to get them. This can influence the emergence of fear of missing out and internet gaming disorder in gacha game players. This research aims to see the correlation between fear of missing out and internet gaming disorder in gacha game players. The research sample consisted of 101 individuals selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data collection was conducted using the fear of missing out and internet gaming disorder scales. Data analysis using the Pearson technique shows that there is a significant and positive relationship between fear of missing out and internet gaming disorder with a correlation coefficient of 0.575

Gameplay and physical activity behaviors in adult video game players.

Since the early 2000s, the video game industry has seen extraordinary booms in product development and market growth, with the total number of video game players globally reaching 2.69 billion by the end of 2020. Despite the rapid growth of the industry, there is little recent data investigating the time adult video game players spend sedentary playing video games and the time they spent engaged in physical activity. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental survey study is to describe the frequency and duration of video game play and physical activity in adult video game players. Participants completed an online survey, evaluating their demographic and health history information, video game play, and physical activity behaviors. The study used data from a total of 221 participants (Males = 153, Females = 68). The mean age of the participants was 27.29 (SD 7.27) years. Of the 221 participants, 145 identified as casual players, 50 amateurs, 24 semi-professionals, and 2 professionals. The participants spent over five days per week and an average of 26.56 h per week playing video games. Personal computers were reported to have the longest duration of play of the four platforms investigated (17.59 h per week). The total amount of time participants spent engaged in cumulative moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was an average of 15.43 (SD 16.79) hours per week. The majority of this time was spent engaged in occupational physical activity (5.11 h per week). Participants spent 2.39 h per week engaged in leisure time MVPA. Our results indicate an increase in VG play compared to 2018, suggesting United States adult video game players may be more at risk for detrimental effects to their physical health. This could be attributed to the habits formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the influences from video genre game play mechanics, and the social aspects of playing video games with friends. Future research should focus on developing research methodologies that will objectively measure adult video game player frequencies and durations in video game play alongside extensive observation of different video gameplay mechanic genres and their relationships with physical activity.

Fuzzy Logic-Based Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment for Adaptive Game Environments

Game players frequently seek video games that offer great replayability and unpredictable challenges, aiming to minimize anxiety and maximize fun. One of the most suitable game genres for achieving these objectives is the “shoot ’em up” genre, although it is mainly focused on experienced players. Given the latter, challenges should be balanced and adapted to player characteristics and style in an effort to strengthen their engagement with the game. In the present study, a fuzzy logic-based dynamic difficulty adjustment approach is proposed for dynamically tailoring challenges according to players’ behavior and strategies. The testbed of this approach is a shoot ’em up game where the players are faced with a challenging and adaptable opponent. The functionality of the proposed system is examined through game scenarios. The evaluation illustrates that fuzzy logic-based dynamic difficulty adjustment provides balanced challenges to players by easily defining the behavior of the game environment and opponents through a set of rules.

Lions, Game Players and Niche Providers: Universities' Positioning in Funding Competitions in Germany

ABSTRACTThis research addresses two important developments in the academic field: First, universities are transforming into organisational actors, gaining more responsibilities and capacities for strategic action, and second, competition has reached a new level. An important driver of competition and universities' development towards strategic actorhood is funding contests in which actors compete with proposals over a limited timeframe with clear evaluation criteria. In Germany, funding contests are central to the crystallisation of a broader competitive positioning and universities develop different strategic approaches in relation to them. We focus on two large‐scale funding contests to analyse universities' heterogeneous positioning strategies: The German Excellence Initiative (EI) and the Quality Pact for Teaching (QPL). We empirically develop three ideal types of universities in terms of strategic positioning (lions, niche providers and game players) and examine different strategic approaches taken by universities when relating to internal and external reference groups.

Analysis of the effects of manipulating the space and number of players in small-sided games on the external load demands of futsal athletes in different age categories

Analysis of the effects of manipulating the space and number of players in small-sided games on the external load demands of futsal athletes in different age categories

Web application for learning Zapotec DIIDXAZÁ

Web applications have become a fundamental tool for learning today. The goal of the "Web Application for Learning Zapotec Diidxazá" is to facilitate flexible learning, starting from the user's interest in an interactive and playful way. The incremental methodology was used, whose philosophy is to build by gradually increasing the program's functionalities. This model focuses on delivering an operational product with each increment (Mills, 1999), from the communication, planning, modeling, construction, and deployment phases. The results are: A trilingual dictionary with audio, a multilingual bidirectional translator, an object detector, and a real-time image translator using artificial intelligence, along with learning sessions, assessments, and playful games. The web application is a platform that helps facilitate and promote the learning of Zapotec and, in the future, preserve the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Diidxazá variant.

NBA Player Data Statistics and Predictions Based on Spark

Entering the 21st century, the sports field has begun to rely on advanced data to establish fine-grained athlete evaluation metrics, such as the impact of an athlete’s presence on the team and performance in critical moments. These metrics are included in statistics and analysis. This experiment analyzes player datasets from NBA games, processing and statistically analyzing data indicators such as player rankings, changes brought by player age and career length, and changes in the proportion of three-point shots. The rating score proposed in this study is used as a measurement indicator to predict Luka Doncic’s performance since entering the league. The model’s performance is evaluated by calculating the root mean square error between the predicted and actual data. Analyzing and predicting player game data is crucial for evaluating player performance, formulating tactics, and management strategies. It not only helps management and coaching teams make more informed draft and trade decisions but also reveals similarities and differences among players through techniques such as cluster analysis, guiding personalized training and tactics.

Knee pain and function in retired male intercounty GAA players: an exploratory study.

Knee injuries are common among elite intercounty Gaelic games players (collectively GAA players). The primary aim was to examine knee pain, function, and quality of life in retired elite male GAA players. Secondary objectives were to (i) report the incidence of previous knee surgery and total knee replacement, (ii) assess medication usage, and (iii) investigate any associations between a history of knee injury and/or knee surgery and knee pain, function, and quality of life among retired elite male GAA players. One hundred retired male senior intercounty GAA players were surveyed on their history of severe knee injury and previous knee surgery (68 completed survey; 47 Gaelic football, 20 hurling, 1 dual player). The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health (PROMIS-GH) were used to assess level of function and pain. Forty-seven (69%) of the retired players described experiencing at least one severe knee injury during their intercounty career. Fourteen (21%) participants retired due to a significant knee injury. Mean KOOS-SP score was 75.5 (SD 17). The Global Physical Health and Global Mental Health mean scores were 44 and 51. There was a low negative correlation between KOOS-SP scores and a history of severe knee injury (r = -0.35, p = 0.001). Moderate negative correlation between Global Mental Health scores and a history of severe knee injuries (r = -0.36, p = 0.386) and a very weak negative correlation between the number of surgeries during a participant's intercounty career and Global Mental Health score (r = -0.089, p = 0.234). Severe knee injuries and knee surgery are common among male intercounty GAA players. These injuries lead to self-reported reduced performance and retirement and are potentially associated with worse health-related outcomes post-intercounty career. Further well-designed studies, including among retired women GAA players, are required to assess the relationship between knee injuries and long-term athlete outcomes. Improved injury prevention efforts, enhanced rehabilitation of knee injuries, and post-retirement care may mitigate the adverse effects associated with severe knee injuries among male GAA players.

Exploring Discrimination against Video Games and Strategies for Reduction: A Review of Stereotypes, Cultural Perceptions, and Media Representation

Video games have become an emerging field in the past twenty years, and video game culture is permeating different aspects of society and is associated with various properties of culture. This paper aims to analyse some discrimination faced by video games and video game culture and provide some suggestions on how to reduce such discrimination from different perspectives such as players and video game publishers. This paper examines a variety of previous research on video game culture, including assessments, misconceptions, and prejudices about it, as well as suggestions for decreasing negative discrimination. It shows that the discrimination towards video games is from several different perspectives, including stereotypes towards video game players, negative representation of video games in culture and entertainment and marginalization of video game culture. On the other hand, efforts have been made by game publishing companies and game players’ groups to reduce discrimination, such as strengthening industry standards and encourage more diverse media reports on video games. In order to reduce discrimination, more detailed studies need to be carried out in the future, focusing on topics like different types of discrimination.

Comparative Evaluation of Temporomandibular Disorders and Dental Wear in Video Game Players.

Background/Objectives: The increasing prevalence of video gaming has raised concerns about its potential impact on musculoskeletal health, particularly temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This study aims to compare TMD symptoms, mandibular function, and dental wear between gamers and non-gamers among university students. Methods: An observational study included 108 students aged 20 to 23 years, divided into gamers (n = 48) and non-gamers (n = 60). Participants completed questionnaires assessing TMD symptoms, gaming habits, and screen time. Clinical examinations measured mandibular movements, palpation-induced pain, and dental wear using the Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson's correlations, and logistic regression. Seven comprehensive tables present the findings with p-values. Results: Gamers reported significantly higher screen time (Mean = 6.5 h/day) compared to non-gamers (Mean = 4.0 h/day; p < 0.001). Maximum unassisted mouth opening was greater in gamers (Mean = 48.31 mm) than in non-gamers (Mean = 46.33 mm; p = 0.04). Gamers exhibited a higher prevalence of pain on palpation of the masseter muscle (45.8% vs. 30.0%; p = 0.05). Dental wear scores were significantly higher in gamers for teeth 2.3 (upper left canine) and 3.3 (lower left canine) (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between hours spent gaming and maximum mouth opening (r = 0.25; p = 0.01) and dental wear (r = 0.30; p = 0.002). Logistic regression showed that gaming status significantly predicted the presence of TMD symptoms (Odds Ratio = 2.5; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Gamers exhibit greater mandibular opening, increased dental wear, and a higher prevalence of masticatory muscle pain compared to non-gamers. Prolonged gaming may contribute to altered mandibular function and increased risk of TMD symptoms. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and develop preventive strategies.

Factors Affecting the Purchasing Behaviors of Virtual Commodities for Otome Game Players: Case of Light and Night

The objectives of this research were (1) To examine the impact of game story, character set, dubbing music, and art style on player satisfaction in the otome game “Light and Night”. (2) To examine the impact of the game story, character set, dubbing music, and art style on player flow experience. (3) To examine the relationship between player satisfaction and the flow experience, and their impact on in-game purchase intentions. Major Findings/Results: (1) In terms of the impact of game story, character set, dubbing music, and art style on player satisfaction, the results of the research show that all of these elements significantly increase player satisfaction with the game, thus indicating a direct correlation between game design elements and overall player satisfaction. (2) In terms of the impact of game story, character set, dubbing music, and art style on players' immersive experience, it was found that, in particular, the quality of character setting and dubbing music can significantly improve players' immersive experience and enhance their emotional and flow experience of the game. (3) Regarding the relationship between player satisfaction and flow experience and its impact on purchase intentions, the research shows that higher satisfaction and immersive experiences significantly increase the likelihood of players purchasing virtual goods, highlighting a positive feedback loop between these variables and purchase behavior.

The Influence of Educational Background on the Self-Identity of Chinese Otome Game Players: A Comparative Study between Higher Education and Non-higher Education Players

This study examines how educational background affects the self-identity of Chinese Otome gamers, focusing on professional identity and intimacy ideals. Under the guidance of Erikson's self-identity theory, the study contributes to the extension of Erikson's self-identity theory in the context of East Asia as a case study. Applying qualitative methods, the study collects data through 13 in-depth interviews with participants with different educational levels, leading to the discussion in the context of Chinese social characteristics. The findings show that players with lower educational backgrounds are more inclined to explore diverse occupational roles in the game and are more attracted to roles with power. On the contrary, players with higher educational backgrounds tend to map out clearer career paths and regard gaming primarily as an emotional connection rather than career exploration. When it comes to intimacy, players with higher education prioritize emotional bonds and choose characters that fit the values of depth and stability. Meanwhile, the other group in this study prefer characters of higher economic or social status, reflecting traditional ideals of security and support. The study bridges the gap between Erikson's theory of self-identity as applied in the East Asian context and the lack of education level as a variable to be discussed in the field of Otome games. The results highlight the role of Otome games in influencing players' self-identity and emphasize the potential for designing games that offer diverse character exploration and emotional engagement in the future.

Third places and national contexts among Generation Z in a mobile game: Quantitatively examining third place characteristics and well-being of players from Brazil, China, and the United States

Youth online engagement and well-being are especially important in emerging countries, but they tend to be understudied. Rather, the existing research tends to be more on the United States. This study examined third place theory of virtual spaces on individual-level well-being among the Generation Z from Brazil and China, especially comparing them to their U.S. counterparts. Well-being, both related to realizing your full potential and lowering psychopathology, is relevant to youth engagement in online spaces, because the spaces can help the youth express their true selves and engage in supportive online communities. The participants were players of a mobile video game whose three months of pre-survey gameplay data and survey data (N = 986) were analyzed. We compared countries on several third place characteristics, on well-being, and how the third place characteristics predicted well-being. We found that players from the three countries were significantly different in several third place characteristics (i.e., neutral ground, leveler, and conversation). Well-being was also higher among the Chinese players. Moreover, the leveler characteristic–commonality of game levels among players and their in-game friends–significantly predicted well-being. These findings from a mobile game help better understand youth online perceptions and behaviors in different countries, correlates to well-being, and contribute to the theory development of virtual third places and digital public spheres.