Game Strategy Research Articles

Greening by enhancing self-efficacy: a viewpoint on employee-inclusive Octalysis framework

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate how gamification can be utilized to promote Employee Green Behavior (EGB) within organizations thereby enhancing corporate sustainability. The research aims to propose a structured gamification framework that can effectively motivate and engage employees in sustainability initiatives. Design/methodology/approach The viewpoint reviews existing literature on gamification, and its impact on EGB. The authors propose a conceptual model that highlights critical components for Octalysis framework and map this against various player types for various phases of a gamified system. Findings The Octalysis framework, with its eight core drives, is found to be an effective tool for fostering EGB by leveraging both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. The viewpoint demonstrates that categorizing employees into distinct player types and tailoring gamification strategies accordingly can overcome motivational barriers and encourage sustained engagement in green practices. Originality/value This study introduces a novel approach to corporate sustainability by integrating gamification into EGB initiatives. This innovative approach enhances the understanding of EGB and provides practical insights for implementing effective gamification strategies in corporate sustainability efforts.

El Uso de la Gamificación para Mejorar el Idioma Inglés en un Proceso de Enseñanza – Aprendizaje en una Escuela de Chone

The objective of the research was: Analyze how to improve English language learning through gamification at a school in Chone. Updated investigative information was examined that allowed us to identify reasons that limit students learning and that teachers face, which is why the use of recreational activities is considered important to use for a better teaching process, the literary review indicates that songs help students learn faster, enjoy classes, the gamification strategy, which is a technique that uses the game as a mechanism for non-playful contexts, which aims to optimize the stimulation and collaboration of students, to make music learning fun and interactive. The affirmation of the positive of the use of music is because the student becomes emotionally involved and facilitates a notable and explanatory argument for learning. The approach and type of research was quantitative and qualitative, the methodological process was a bibliographic review of specialists on the subject, scientific journals on the Internet, among others, in addition, and the results achieved indicate that 100% of those surveyed consider the use of gamification to be transcendental for the teaching-learning process of English as a second language, which will give students the opportunity to insert themselves into the current interconnected global world, which will be of pedagogical benefit, formative, social and economic.

Stationary Markov Equilibrium Strategies in Asynchronous Stochastic Games: Existence and Computation

We study Asynchronous Dynamic games and show that in games with a finite state space and finite action sets, one can obtain the pure strategy Markov perfect equilibrium by using a simple backward induction method when the time period for the game is finite. The equilibrium strategies for games with an infinite horizon are then obtained as the point-wise limit of the equilibrium strategies of a sequence of finite horizon games, where the finite horizon games are truncated versions of the original game with successively longer time periods. We also show that if the game has a fixed K-period cycle, then there is a stationary Markov equilibrium. Using these results, we derive an algorithm to compute the equilibrium strategies. We test the algorithm in three experiments. The first is a two-player asynchronous game with three states and three actions. In the second experiment, we compute the equilibrium of a cybersecurity game in which there are two players, an attacker and a defender. In the third experiment, we compute the stationary equilibrium of a duopoly game with two firms that choose an output in alternate periods.

Evolutionary Game Analysis of Electric Vehicle Distribution Entities with Shared Charging Facilities

This study investigates the evolutionary game dynamics among electric vehicle distribution entities in the context of shared charging facilities, addressing the critical issue of inadequate charging resources. To understand the behavior of different stakeholders under government incentive policies, we develop an evolutionary game model involving a government department and two logistics enterprises (A and B). Through stability analysis, we explore equilibrium conditions of evolutionarily stable strategies (ESSs) for the tripartite evolutionary game. To ensure the robustness of our findings, we conduct a MATLAB simulation analysis to validate the analytical results. Our findings highlight that government subsidies, the costs incurred by logistics enterprises to share charging facilities, and the additional distribution income derived from this sharing are critical in determining whether the evolutionary game can achieve a stable equilibrium state. This research enables logistics companies to optimize the use of charging resources, lower operating costs, and enhance delivery efficiency. Additionally, government subsidy policies play a crucial role in encouraging logistics enterprises to engage in charging facility sharing, thereby fostering the sustainable development of the entire logistics industry. Based on these insights, the paper offers practical recommendations to further promote the sharing of charging facilities in electric vehicle distribution.

To promote the cultivation of mathematical thinking skills and strategies in games for the senior class of kindergarten children

With the advancement of quality education and an increase in research into preschool education, early childhood education is becoming more focused on individual physical and mental development, as well as the development of comprehensive quality education. Mathematical thinking ability represents a significant aspect of young children’s cognitive development. Given that young children’s brain development is not yet fixed, so their capacity for “plasticity” is considerable. The period between the ages of three and eight represents a critical phase in developing mathematical thinking ability in young children. Children undergo rapid growth in their mathematical understanding and reasoning abilities during this time. This paper will look at promoting the development of mathematical thinking and strategies in play for the senior class of kindergarten children, based on practice, in order to provide new strategies for preschool education. Through the research on the combination of games and mathematics education, we can provide better ideas and methods for the use of games in mathematics education, help the senior class of kindergarten children to develop their mathematical thinking skills, and help them to recognize, articulate, and generalize the quantitative relationships and spatial forms that exist in their daily lives so that they can be well-prepared for the next step of entering the primary school.

From Gaming Elements to Purchase Intentions: The Influence of Perceived Enjoyment and Promotion Focus in Online Travel Bookings

This study examines the impact of gamification on purchase intentions in Malaysia's online travel booking industry. As traditional platforms like Expedia face declining bookings due to economic challenges and the rise of competitors such as Airbnb, Agoda, and Booking.com, understanding the role of gamification in user engagement becomes crucial. The research employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic gaming elements, perceived enjoyment, and promotional focus on purchase intention. A total of 141 respondents participated in the survey and the key findings reveal that extrinsic gaming elements, including points and rewards, have a significantly stronger impact on perceived enjoyment than intrinsic elements like membership levels. This heightened enjoyment, in turn, positively influences purchase intention. Additionally, the study finds that promotional focus moderates the relationship between perceived enjoyment and purchase intention, further enhancing the effect. The Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) indicates that while intrinsic gaming elements perform below average, they are less critical than other factors. Managers should prioritize improving aspects of high importance, but currently have, low performance to boost purchase intentions effectively. Overall, the research provides actionable insights for enhancing competitiveness in Malaysia's digital travel marketplace, emphasizing the need for targeted gamification strategies to align with evolving consumer preferences. The findings offer a foundation for developing strategies that can help travel platforms maintain relevance and drive engagement in a competitive landscape.

Consumer-Oriented Marketing Strategy of Chinese Domestic Otome Games: A Case Study of Love and Deepspace

Abstract: Otome games, story-based romance video games targeting women, originated in Japan in the late 1990s and have since gained popularity all around the world. This paper investigates the rise of Chinese domestic otome games, focusing on Love and Deepspace, a burgeoning and competitive title. The study analyzes its marketing strategy using the 4P model and examines the game's reflection on consumer behavior. The findings show that Love and Deepspace has innovated marketing approaches within the otome game industry, leveraging 3D modeling as the core of its product and price strategies and employing consumer-centric promotion strategies globally. As a conclusion, the paper states that understanding target consumers preferences is vital for future market planning. The research uses Love and Deepspaces success as an example to highlight the significant business value of domestic otome games and provide insights for companies to refine their strategies in this growing market.

The Impact of Exercise Load and Intensity on the Performance of China U24 3x3 Women Teams

This study analyzed the exercise load and exercise intensity of the China U24 3x3 women team in multiple games, combined with the performance data of the players in the game, and explored the impact of these factors on exercise performance. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between load intensity and average heart rate, and high load intensity usually led to a higher average heart rate. In addition, performance data such as scoring and rebounding were also significantly correlated with load intensity and load volume. Players with higher scores often underwent higher load volume and load intensity in the game. This shows that in high-intensity games, players' physical fitness and performance are closely related, and reasonable monitoring and management of load intensity are crucial to improving player performance and reducing the risk of injury. The study also showed that there were significant differences in load volume and load intensity between the U24 Blue Team and the U24 Red Team in different games, further emphasizing the importance of load management in game strategy and physical training. This study provides empirical evidence for basketball teams to formulate scientific training plans and game strategies, and emphasizes the importance of exercise load and intensity management to improve the overall performance of the team and the individual performance of the players.

Thematic representations of economy and environment in Nigerian newspapers’ reports of pipeline vandalism

ABSTRACT Nigeria’s heavy reliance on oil for national survival, the frequency of pipeline vandalism and the attendant losses make the subject of vandalism attractive to newspapers. Reports on this subject become media sites of deep struggle to separate national economy from the ecosystem relationships. Relying on insights from van Dijk’s Theory of Thematic Structure and Stibbe’s notions of salience and erasure, the study examined the reportage of pipeline vandalism and the attendant losses, with a view to exploring how economy and environment are thematically projected. Twenty reports from four newspapers published between 2015 and 2019 were purposively sampled. The thematic projections showed that, while economic loss is foregrounded using the discourse strategies of number game and topicalisation, environmental loss is erased at different levels using the discourse strategies of euphemisation and generalisation. This suggests that there is subtle interest in economic growth to the detriment of the ecological systems which sustain the economy and humanity. Unless there is a deliberate effort to clearly highlight the ecological harm occasioned by pipeline vandalism, the effects of pipeline vandalism may not be obvious to citizens and curtailing the menace may not be prioritised.

Predicting soccer matches with complex networks and machine learning

Abstract Soccer attracts the attention of many researchers and professionals in the sports industry. Therefore, the incorporation of science into the sport is constantly growing, with increasing investments in performance analysis and sports prediction industries. This study aims to (i) highlight the use of complex networks as an alternative tool for predicting soccer match outcomes and (ii) show how the combination of structural analysis of passing networks with match statistical data can provide deeper insights into the game patterns and strategies used by teams. In order to do so, complex network metrics and match statistics were used to build machine learning models that predict the wins and losses of soccer teams in different leagues. The results showed that models based on passing networks were as effective as ‘traditional’ models, which use general match statistics. Another finding was that by combining both approaches, more accurate models were obtained than when they were used separately, demonstrating that the fusion of such approaches can offer a deeper understanding of game patterns, allowing the comprehension of tactics employed by teams relationships between players, their positions and interactions during matches. It is worth mentioning that both network metrics and match statistics were important and impactful for the mixed model. Furthermore, the use of networks with a lower granularity of temporal evolution (such as creating a network for each half of the match) performed better than a single network for the entire game.

BPFNN Based Football Player Value Prediction by Introducing Historic Information

With extensively successful applications of artificial neural networks in many scenarios of classification and prediction, research related to the world most popular sport - football - has undoubtedly attracted researchers to carry out their works with aid of such powerful tools. Despite that most of these works are oriented to predict match results and game strategies, only very a few are designed for player value prediction, which is of great importance with the rapid growth of the football players’ transfer market. In this paper, we propose a BP feedforward neural network framework which integrates both the empirically determined variables and some historical information. Comparative ablation experiments on one dataset FINAL verified the necessity of some factors especially the highest_values which inspired the inclusion of available historical information into the framework. For further verifying the efficiency of integrating historical information, we embedded the value columns of FIFA17 to FIFA21 into the data of FIFA22. Comparative experiments showed an 11% improvement on the precision with the help of historical values, verifying the efficiency of this strategy. Experiments were also conducted for determining the choice of the number of layers, the ratio of the training set and test set, the learning rate, and the process of the missed information.

Evolutionary branching in multi-level selection models.

We study a model of group-structured populations featuring individual-level birth and death events, and group-level fission and extinction events. Individuals play games within their groups, while groups play games against other groups. Payoffs from individual-level games affect birth rates of individuals, and payoffs from group-level games affect group extinction rates. We focus on the evolutionary dynamics of continuous traits with particular emphasis on the phenomenon of evolutionary diversification. Specifically, we consider two-level processes in which individuals and groups play continuous snowdrift or prisoner's dilemma games. Individual game strategies evolve due to selection pressure from both the individual and group level interactions. The resulting evolutionary dynamics turns out to be very complex, including branching and type-diversification at one level or the other. We observe that a weaker selection pressure at the individual level results in more adaptable groups and sometimes group-level branching. Stronger individual-level selection leads to more effective adaptation within each group while preventing the groups from adapting according to the group-level games.

Game-based Learning for History: Student Perceptions and Preferences

With the rapid development of games in the 21st century, the panoply of games on history shows a wide variety. Backstories from most historical eras have been implemented in different game genres and modalities. Furthermore, a growing number of studies have pointed to the didactic potential of historical games as learning tools. This study aims at investigating university students' perceptions of gaming and their game preferences, with a particular focus on history. The research question to answer was: "What types of games do history students play, and how can games, in their view, contribute to learning in their subject?" Educational action research was used as the overall strategy in a study where data was collected from five different university course groups in general history at the basic level. Students answered questionnaires with open ended questions about gaming preferences and their perceptions of games. The answers were then analysed in an inductive thematic analysis. Findings show that the students play a mix of analogue board games, digital games and hybrid forms. In the transmedial array of games available, important genres include role playing games, strategy games, quizzes and first-person action games. The students frequently provide arguments for the use of games in history education, and they give reasons why they find a particular game useful for this purpose. They describe how these games have a potential to add value to history education. To some extent, they also discuss how this can be implemented. In conclusion, the authors argue that so-called technology tree games are particularly relevant to learning history from a structural perspective, while RPG:s can strengthen interpretive approaches through a subjective historical experience.

Bending Rules, Telling Stories: Convivial Game Design Approaches for Engaging With Futures

Games have been used in civic participation (Lerner, 2014) and civic learning (Raphael et al. 2010). Building on the idea of using games for participation, democracy and collaboration, we propose approaching games as tools for convivial learning. First introduced by Illich (1973), the concept of conviviality envisions a society characterised by collaboration and self-determination, underpinned by tools that encourage joyful interaction, creativity and human agency through control over the tools. We believe that games as convivial tools could help bring forth creativity and mutual learning about civic processes and desirable futures. Yet, games’ nature as rigid systems of rules (Salen & Zimmerman, 2010) seems potentially at odds with positioning them as tools promoting agency. We propose to use the tension arising between rigidity and agency as starting point for exploring game design strategies for convivial games through research-through-design. We ask how games for thinking about the future may be designed that allow players to exercise control over their own experience, and to what effect. Inspired by the concept of critical play (Flanagan, 2009; Grace, 2014) and building on the distinction between narrative and mechanics as key constituting game elements, we have designed two distinct games for collaboratively engaging with the future. The first, Narrate, focuses on letting players invent their own narrative, whilst the second game Remix allows for experimentation with game rules and mechanics. We present the design process for each game and contrast the different approaches taken. Each game was tested by two groups and analysed in regards to its capacity to bring forth conviviality, creativity and collaboration. The paper compares and provides a discussion on how suitable the two chosen strategies of experimenting with narrative or mechanics are for (1) facilitating thinking and learning about shared futures, and (2) supporting player agency and bringing forth convivial interactions.

When Games get in the way: Gamification Approach for Teaching Maths – A Case Study With Undergraduate Tourism Students

Planning more dynamic and motivating lessons for students is the goal of any teacher, especially maths teachers, a subject where the lack of interest and motivation to learn is so evident and a major concern. Several studies highlight the positive impact of the adoption of gamification strategies in teaching/learning, both in student motivation and in the development of soft skills (teamwork, creativity, decision-making, leadership, communication, and critical thinking). Game-based learning thus promotes students' interest and involves them in this process. In this sense, one of the authors of this study chose to use several (non-digital) games to support the teaching-learning process in her classes. The games used were developed by the authors and have been thoroughly designed to address specific maths topics. The games took various forms, including card games, board games and other hands-on activities. The participants in the study are first-year undergraduate students from a Portuguese higher education institution and encompassed the course of “Quantitative Methods”. The aim of the study is to investigate students’ perceptions of the use of gamification in the maths teaching-learning process. To gather information about students’ insights on the use of games in math classes a quantitative survey was conducted. Similar studies have shown that higher education students are usually receptive to the use of games, finding it useful to increase their motivation and consider game-based learning can positively impact learning. Our findings are in line with those studies.

Fun and Functional: Using Non-Digital Games to Promote Maths Engagement in Pre-service Teachers

Humans naturally engage in playful activities throughout their lives and play serves as a fundamental mechanism for cognitive development as well as the development of essential soft skills such as teamwork, decision-making, leadership, and communication. Recognizing this innate predisposition for play, educators are increasingly embracing gamification strategies into their classrooms. More attention has been driven to digital tools such as platforms Kahoot! and Duolingo which gained popularity and demonstrated the potential of game-based learning to increase engagement and knowledge retention. However, concerns about digital screen time fuelled a renewed interest in non-digital activities, including educational games. Non-digital games are often more accessible and affordable, making them suitable for schools with limited resources. Research suggests that non-digital games can effectively promote collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills. In addition, they offer flexibility to teachers to adapt rules and scenarios to specific learning objectives and student needs. Recognizing the benefits of employing games as a pedagogical strategy, the first author of this study opted to incorporate game-based learning strategies into her classes, on a regular basis. Throughout the semester, various non-digital games were implemented, inspired on well-known classics such as memory card games, Monopoly and Pictionary. These games were carefully designed to address specific mathematics topics identified as either the most relevant or those where students revealed more difficulties. The participants in this study were pre-service pre- and primary school teachers enrolled in a maths undergraduate course. Since these students are future educators, the games served a dual purpose: improving current learning experiences and providing teaching resources for their future classrooms. At the end of the semester, a survey was conducted to evaluate students’ perceptions towards the use of games in the mathematics teaching-learning process. In this paper we describe some of the games used in this study and analyse the results of the survey. Previous studies reveal that students generally welcome the incorporation of games, perceiving them as effective tools for enhancing motivation and promoting positive learning outcomes. Our findings corroborate these studies.

Boardcraft: Learning the Art of Strategic Decision-Making Card by Card

Boardcraft, an interactive, sequential card game, is a powerful tool for teaching Strategic Management in an undergraduate Business Administration Degree. This innovative game provides students with practical experience in strategic analysis, business strategy formulation, and strategic decision-making, addressing one of the main challenges of social science teaching: practical application. The objective of the research to be carried out is to find evidence of a change in students' attitudes towards making strategic decisions. To do this, two questionnaires will be carried out, one before and one after the game's introduction in the classroom, three months apart. The data will tell us if decision-making through a business strategy game changes their perception and attitude towards decision-making by acquiring competencies and skills that prepare them better for decision-making throughout their career and life. This game will streamline the teaching of strategic management in higher education, a subject traditionally based on lectures and case studies. Teaching strategic management is complex since the student is immersed in a context of continuous decision-making that requires the application of an appropriate methodology for proper understanding. Game-based learning (GBL) activities like Boardcraft that bring strategic management closer to real-life contexts are desirable. The application of this game will also allow researchers to analyse the effect of experiential learning, the acquisition of interpersonal and conceptual skills, the importance of aesthetics and the introduction of fun elements in game-based learning.

Reinforcement Learning for Game Strategy Optimization

Reinforcement Learning for Game Strategy Optimization

12606 Gamification In The Management Of Children And Adolescents With Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Abstract Disclosure: L.C. Hespanhol: None. V. Lins de Menezes: None. P. Souto Maia: None. C.A. Balieiro: None. W. Oliveira Amador: None. R. Lira: None. Background: Educating children and adolescents with diabetes about their own condition presents a significant challenge. Gamification has been proposed as an innovative approach to ease the transition to self-care by engaging and empowering children and adolescents in their diabetes management. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to examine published research on using gamification and technology within diabetes care for young patients. Methods: PubMed, Lilacs and EMBASE were systematically searched in January 2024 to include articles focusing on the use of new virtual technologies to improve the clinical and laboratory conditions of children and adolescents with diabetes. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024499381) adhering to PRISMA recommendations. We assessed the risk of bias using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I. Results: A total of 24 studies were included, of which 7 were randomized trials. Age of participants ranged from 5 to 19 years. We identified five gamification strategies (i.e., applications, video games, minigame, robot, or web game) within seven clinical domains (i.e., psychosocial impairment, glycemic control, autonomy, reduced frequency of error, health lifestyle, nutrition, or knowledge about disease). 246 (27%) patients demonstrated reduced emotional distress and increased enjoyment. Reduction of errors such as hypoglycemia and emergency preparedness was identified in 354 (39%) of patients and improvement in glycemic control measured by HbA1c was described in 277 (30%) of patients. Conclusion: Our systematic review gamification has shown promise in fostering autonomy by providing tools that educate young individuals regarding glycemic control, lifestyle choices, injection practices, carbohydrate counting, and other pertinent aspects of diabetes management. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Spontaneous Formation of Evolutionary Game Strategies for Long-Term Carbon Emission Reduction Based on Low-Carbon Trading Mechanism

In the context of increasing global efforts to mitigate climate change, effective carbon emission reduction is a pressing issue. Governments and power companies are key stakeholders in implementing low-carbon strategies, but their interactions require careful management to ensure optimal outcomes for both economic development and environmental protection. This paper addresses this real-world challenge by utilizing evolutionary game theory (EGT) to model the strategic interactions between these stakeholders under a low-carbon trading mechanism. Unlike classical game theory, which assumes complete rationality and perfect information, EGT allows for bounded rationality and learning over time, making it particularly suitable for modeling long-term interactions in complex systems like carbon markets. This study builds an evolutionary game model between the government and power companies to explore how different strategies in carbon emission reduction evolve over time. Using payoff matrices and replicator dynamics equations, we determine the evolutionarily stable equilibrium (ESE) points and analyze their stability through dynamic simulations. The findings show that in the absence of a third-party regulator, neither party achieves an ideal ESE. To address this, a third-party regulatory body is introduced into the model, leading to the formulation of a tripartite evolutionary game. The results highlight the importance of regulatory oversight in achieving stable and optimal low-carbon strategies. This paper offers practical policy recommendations based on the simulation outcomes, providing a robust theoretical framework for government intervention in carbon markets and guiding enterprises towards sustainable practices.