Player Interaction Research Articles

An investigation of the language learning opportunities in collaborative dialogues during tabletop game play

Background: Tabletop games have been a frequent addition to task-based classroom activity. Aim: This study investigates the potential differences in learning opportunities that arise during collaborative dialogues between learners as they play tabletop games that differ in how they utilize player interaction. Methods: This study uses a qualitative analysis of task transcripts using the construct of the Language Related Episode. Results: Tasks did not produce any major differences in quality or number of LREs between games, but across games a vast majority of LREs were prompted specifically by cards with text during the game. Conclusion: Tabletop games may not afford an abundance of specific language talk, but more research is necessary to get a better idea of how learners handle L2 gaps during gameplay.

Designing the Virtual Museum with Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Abstract In the 2020 video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the player builds the collection of the impressive Animal Crossing Museum (ACM). Exploring the visitor experience of this video game museum’s art wing from the perspective of museum professionals allows for the discovery of inventive ways to deepen connection with museum patrons in the virtual space. The ACM is more successful at engaging visitors than traditional virtual museums. It meets visitor needs by offering an immersive, interactive experience, and depends on direct action from the visitor to expand and grow its collection and space. By taking lessons from the player interaction design of the ACM, virtual museums can be designed to meet the psychological needs of visitors and build long-lasting relationships between the visitor and the institution. From the text, this essay proposes seven lessons for designing virtual museums: start with visitor experience at the center of virtual museum design, allow the visitor to collaborate on the creation of the virtual museum, make the virtual museum a habit with intermittent rewards and increased access over time, build social interaction into the virtual museum, add an avatar, show off curator personality, and address colonial roots of museums.

How Boardgame Players Imagine Interacting With Technology

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

Toxicity by Game Design: How Players Perceive the Influence of Game Design on Toxicity

Toxicity in online games refers to behaviors where players disrupt the gaming experience of others, leading to adverse outcomes such as depression and low self-esteem. Although scholars have identified various factors contributing to toxicity, ranging from individual motivations to team dynamics to cultural backgrounds, the role of game design has been less frequently discussed. To bridge this gap, we conducted an interview study to explore players' perceptions of how game design influences toxicity. Our research identified four game design elements that participants perceived as contributing factors to the emergency of toxicity in their experiences: team interdependency, fairness, interaction design, and privacy. These findings help us shed light on how game design unintendedly triggers toxic intentions, exposes players to vulnerability, making them potential victims, and affects player interactions which lead to toxicity. We further propose design implications that can mitigate toxicity in online games.

Stochastic Evolutionary Analysis of an Aerial Attack–Defense Game in Uncertain Environments

Aiming at the problem of random environment interference in the process of strategy interaction and the behavioral evolution of an aerial attack–defense game, this paper considers the influence of the difference in the performance and value between both game players in terms of strategy evolution; explores the randomness of the complex battlefield environment, the uncertainty of the behavioral state of game players, and the limitations of the emergent situation; constructs a mathematical model of the stochastic evolution of an aerial-coordinated attack–defense game in uncertain environments; and studies the stability of the strategy interaction and behavioral decision-making process of both players of the aerial attack–defense game. Simulation results show that many factors of the performance and value between both game players have a greater impact on the strategy evolution trend in both game players, which not only causes changes in the results of the strategy selection but also affects the rate of strategy evolution for the game players. In addition, random environmental factors cause a certain degree of interference to the strategy evolution process of the game players, which usually accelerates the game players’ strategy evolution rate and greatly affects the evolution process of the game players’ strategy. This study can provide a theoretical basis and feasible reference for improving mission decision-making, response mechanisms, and system modeling of an aerial attack–defense game, which has important theoretical value and practical significance.

Gaming with Etiquette: Exploring Courtesy as a Game Mechanic in Speech-Based Games

As the gaming industry advances, it seeks increased immersion. Concurrently, recent advancements in speech recognition substantially enhanced its accuracy, creating opportunities for speech-based interactions in gameplay. Integrating speech into single-player games with non-player characters (NPCs) introduces a new social dimension. Yet, like toxicity in social media and multiplayer games, anti-social behavior can infiltrate NPC interactions, generating a toxic gaming atmosphere. We designed a speech-based game called “A Day at the Office” and conducted a within-subject study with 26 participants to explore player interactions with NPCs possessing different human qualities. Furthermore, we introduced courtesy-based game mechanics, where NPCs react to players’ choice of words and loudness, investigating player experiences. Results revealed that participants spoke differently with NPCs based on their human qualities, such as gender and hierarchical roles. Moreover, the courtesy-based interactions fostered greater cognitive engagement, suggesting that tactful interactions contribute to enhanced immersion and presence in the game.

Количественный анализ финансовых инструментов на основе портфельной теории и теории игр

The article focuses on modern methods of quantitative analysis of financial instruments based on the Markowitz portfolio theory, which allows designing optimal portfolios of financial instruments under the assumption of extreme rationality of investors and game theory, which allows taking into account the factor of player interaction between those participating in financial markets. The relevance of the research topic concerns the need to improve the quality of financial decisions made in conditions of increased volatility of financial markets. An initial set of financial instruments was built, consisting of fifty alternative options for placing funds. A preliminary analysis of the initial set of financial instruments allowed us to narrow it down to ten elements that are most preferable for placing funds. The classic Markowitz portfolio model, which assumes maximizing the expected return on a portfolio at a given level of risk, is complemented by auxiliary constraints that allow taking into account individual investor preferences. The presented six modifications of Markowitz portfolios help to identify the dynamics of the quantitative characteristics of portfolios depending on the individual preferences of investors. Expected profitability and expected risk, estimated from real financial data, are accepted as quantitative characteristics of portfolios. The game model is constructed in the form of a game with nature, which allows taking into account the complex nature of player interaction, which in most cases is not characterized by antagonism. The game model is designed to select the optimal net strategy of the investor, which takes into account various financial market conditions expressed by a market index (market portfolio). The study of the game model is implemented on the basis of the integrated Hodge-Lehman criterion regarding profitability and risk. Its use made it possible to take into account the individual level of investor confidence in the available financial information. In the process of practical implementation of these techniques, results were obtained that allow us to conclude about the degree of sensitivity of optimal investment strategies to individual preferences and perceptions of investors. The constructed models can be used to update the content of professional training of students in the higher economic school system, as well as to set up courses of additional professional education.

Introduction

Welcome to the games, gamification, and virtual environments special issue of the Journal of Technology-Integrated Lessons and Teaching (JTILT). Why a special issue on games? Because games have merit! Games can be played by anyone, can provide safe ways to practice essential skills, and can adapt to various interests and settings. As more states and nations require computational thinking skills in P-12 education, connections between games and problem solving, algorithmic thinking, decomposition, and abstraction become visible. Players demonstrate these problem-solving skills when considering the probability of success with certain moves, character placement to minimize damage, or fine-tuning resources to maximize gains. The variation in complexity, type, genre, time requirements, player interactions, and so forth helps make games so popular. Individuals can locate the exemplars that match their interests.

DESIGNING MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCES IN AR AND VR: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

In fact, the integration of AR and VR in multiplayer gaming has revolutionized player interaction by offering immersive and captivating experiences. On the other hand, AR and VR multiplayer game design faces significant challenges related to technological limitations, complicated user interface design challenges, patterns of social interaction, and growth problems. This paper reviewed those design challenges and looked into possible solutions through a review of recent work. The results bring out some strategies that could help in making multiplayer AR and VR games more effective; thus, enhancing the user experience.

Balancing and Analyzing Player Interaction in the ESG+P Game with Machinations

This work explores the balancing of an educational game to teach sustainable development in organizations by focusing on player interaction and employing strategies. Game success is a challenge that relies on balancing the relationships among its elements. Balancing is a complex process performed over multiple iterations, starting at game conception and continuing throughout development and testing stages. This work extends our previous case study, which did not consider player interaction for the game balancing. We built two models that contains all game mechanics using the Machinations framework. The first model includes elements that randomly produce, distribute, and consume resources, while the second model analyzes player interaction and implements four player strategies. We simulated these models in batch plays, analyzed game states, and adjusted game economies. The random model simulation achieved a victory rate of 40%, while the interactive model simulation with player strategies increased victory rates to values between 66% and 81%. These results show that player interaction and decision-making can be more decisive than randomness in achieving victory. Machinations contributed to enhancing the game, proved its usefulness for simulating complex models, and deepened our understanding of game dynamics, including player actions, potential deadlocks, and feedback mechanisms. This work supports other authors’ findings by demonstrating that balancing the game as early as possible in the development process, considering player interaction, makes the design feasible; and provides evidence that computer simulations, such as Machinations, benefit the game balance and improve the game design without the need to build a prototype and conduct extensive playtests.

Applying the Tau technique in multi-player differential games: A novel approach in economic strategy analysis

This paper delves deeper into the intricacies of multiplayer differential games, exploring their applications in economic strategy analysis through the innovative use of the Tau technique. Our approach introduces a novel methodological framework that enhances the understanding of noncooperative games and sheds light on the complex dynamics of economic conflicts and cooperation from a fresh perspective. By leveraging the mathematical rigor of the Tau technique, we provide a detailed exploration of player interactions and strategic decision-making in economic settings. Our research reveals insights that challenge traditional interpretations and offer new avenues for economic strategy formulation. The findings of this study make a significant contribution to the field of economic strategy analysis by demonstrating the utility of the Tau technique in unraveling the complex interplay between multiple players in noncooperative games.

Theoretical aspects of strategic development subjects of the air transport industry

The methodological principles of studying systemic, strategic interactions of subjects in the air transport industry in conditions of global challenges are not just considered but emphasized for their crucial role in understanding and navigating the complexities of the industry. Peculiarities of the interaction between airlines and airports are determined, which is related to the specifics of the organizational and management support of this process, which include instability and dynamism of the air transportation market, significant degree of differentiation of air transport services by macro-regions; high level of competition between air carriers and significant market fluctuations; low competition among airports; multivariate combination and comprehensive use of the potential and competences of airlines and airports in the performance of passenger and cargo air transportation. The article substantiates the peculiarities of the interaction of the air transport industry entities related to the specifics of organizational and managerial support of this process. The functions, works, and services performed by the enterprises of the air transport industry in the interaction process and the functional division of the main activities by the responsibility of the performers - airlines and airports - are systematized. A methodical approach to the study of strategic interaction of air transport industry entities in the context of global challenges is proposed, consisting of a logical sequence of the following stages: analysis and evaluation of functional characteristics and competencies of airlines and airports; analysis of environmental factors; assessment of problems and advantages of strategic interaction of airlines and airports; substantiation of strategic principles of interaction between airlines and airports; study of strategic alternatives and decision-making. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it considers the specific features of organizational and managerial support for the interaction of industry players. The most acute problems of the strategic development of the air transport industry of Ukraine and promising areas of interaction between air carriers and airports in the context of global challenges are not just identified but highlighted to keep the audience informed and aware of the current state of the industry. Keywords: air transport industry, air carriers, airports, airlines, strategy, a system of interaction, systemic, strategic interaction, strategic development, global challenges.

It Takes Two to Negotiate: Modeling Social Exchange in Online Multiplayer Games

Online games are dynamic environments where players interact with each other, which offers a rich setting for understanding how players negotiate their way through the game to an ultimate victory. This work studies online player interactions during the turn-based strategy game, Diplomacy. We annotated a dataset of over 10,000 chat messages for different negotiation strategies and empirically examined their importance in predicting long- and short-term game outcomes. Although negotiation strategies can be predicted reasonably accurately through the linguistic modeling of the chat messages, more is needed for predicting short-term outcomes such as trustworthiness. On the other hand, they are essential in graph-aware reinforcement learning approaches to predict long-term outcomes, such as a player's success, based on their prior negotiation history. We close with a discussion of the implications and impact of our work.

Novel Multimedia Feature Fusion Classification (Mffc) Model for Sports Game Design Enhancement

Multimedia feature fusion is reshaping the landscape of sports game design, offering immersive and dynamic experiences for players and spectators alike. By integrating various multimedia elements such as audio, video, graphics, and interactive interfaces, game designers can create engaging environments that simulate the excitement and intensity of real-life sporting events. From lifelike player animations to realistic crowd reactions, multimedia feature fusion enhances the realism and authenticity of sports games, transporting players into the heart of the action. Furthermore, interactive interfaces enable players to customize their gaming experience, from choosing team strategies to controlling player movements, adding depth and complexity to gameplay. With advancements in technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, multimedia feature fusion is poised to revolutionize sports game design, offering unprecedented levels of immersion and interactivity for players worldwide. This paper explores the application of multimedia feature fusion in sports game design, utilizing the Multimedia Feature Fusion Classification (MFFC) framework alongside key feature extraction with the genetic model. By integrating various multimedia elements including audio, video, graphics, and interactive interfaces, the MFFC framework enhances the realism and excitement of sports games, offering immersive experiences for players. Through the genetic model, key features are extracted and optimized to improve gameplay dynamics, player interactions, and overall gaming experience. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated through simulated experiments and empirical validations, demonstrating significant enhancements in game realism, user engagement, and satisfaction. Results indicate a 30% increase in player immersion and a 25% improvement in gameplay dynamics compared to traditional game design methods.

The politics of interaction and spect-actors in world rescue, eco, and plasticity: a Boalian perspective on digital environmental games

ABSTRACT In this paper, I explore the politics of engagement in environmental games from a political theatre theory perspective. Specifically, I focus on digital environmental games developed with classrooms in mind, and examine player interaction as politicized through the lens of Boalian theatre. To this end, I overview gaming as an intervention tool in the form of serious, environmental games. Next, I introduce the poetics of Boal’s TO, and connect its aim to restore theatre as a popular form of conversation and discussion to the aspiration of digital environmental games to develop an eco-friendly outlook. I build upon a rule-based approach to computer game rhetoric, and analyze how environmental games use rules as a rhetorical tool to create a pro-environmental statement. Lastly, I suggest that players in environmental games are not mere game players but rather ‘spect-actors’.

Role of AI Chatbots in Revolutionizing Gaming Experiences - A Survey

This paper investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots into video games to enhance player experiences. In the realm of modern entertainment, video games often grapple with the constraint of linear storytelling, limiting replayability and the diversity of player interactions. Addressing this challenge, the study advocates for the adoption of AI chatbots, offering a detailed analysis of their features in comparison to traditional chatbot systems. The literature review explores recent research on AI chatbots in gaming, emphasizing their impact on transforming storytelling and fostering stronger connections with players. Ethical considerations related to data access and job displacement concerns are highlighted, emphasizing the necessity for player-centric development. Through a combination of comprehensive literature review and practical analysis of free and open-source games, the research assesses key features, including game type, engine, platform, AI capabilities, player engagement, NPC (non-playable character) behavior, visuals, and identified issues. The comparative analysis distinguishes the strengths and weaknesses of AI chatbots and traditional counterparts in gaming, providing valuable insights for developers aiming to create more immersive and dynamic gaming experiences.

AI applications in video games and future expectations

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been extensively applied in various industries, including the gaming industry. The integration of different AI models into games has brought about a new era of game development, optimization, and overall gaming experience. This paper presents an overview of several AI algorithms that have been utilized in games, discussing their applications and providing predictions for the future of AI in gaming. It outlines how these algorithms have been incorporated into games to improve various aspects of gameplay. The application part of the paper focuses on game content optimization, specifically from the perspective of enhancing player experience. It examines areas such as player interaction and in-game elements, explaining how AI algorithms have been used to optimize these aspects and create a more immersive gaming experience. Furthermore, the future expectations section revolves around further advancements in optimizing the gaming experience and incorporating AI into the game design and development stages. It also discusses potential improvements in hardware that can better support AI integration in games. Finally, the article concludes with a summary and expectations for the future development of AI in gaming, highlighting the potential benefits and advancements that can be achieved through the continued use of AI algorithms.

Improving the tactical preparedness of 3x3 basketball players based on the use of improvisational exercises

Background and purpose Purpose. To improve the tactical interaction of players in 3x3 basketball at the stage of specialized basic training based on the use of specific improvisational exercises, taking into account the specifics of the players’ competitive activity. Material and methods Two groups of basketball players at the stage of specialized basic training, 12 athletes each, took part in the research, taking into account the lack of reliability of differences in the analysed indicators at the beginning of the study (р>0,05). All participants gave an informed consent to partake in this experiment. Descriptive statistics (arithmetic means in groups (M), mean square deviations (SD), errors of arithmetic means (m)) were calculated for each dependent variable. The Student's t-test was used to estimate the probability of differences in one feature before and after the experiment, provided that the data had a normal distribution. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test (Z test) was used in case of non-compliance with the normal distribution of the data of two dependent samples. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the differences between the results of two independent samples in different tests. Results The analysis of the dynamics of changes in the teams’ game performance (the changes were revealed in the process of analysing video recordings of games in 3x3 format competition) showed that the EG players increased the number of attacks per game to 20.20±2.59 and improved their performance to 12.00±2.45, which was 59.05% of efficiency. Indicators in CG remained almost unchanged, and the efficiency equalled 50.25%. The comparison of changes in all indicators in the groups after the experiment still has no statistical difference (the number of attacks - t = 0.819 at p = 0.444; of them effective - t = 1.671 at p = 0.146; in terms of effectiveness - t = 1.632 at p = 0.154). Conclusions Our proposed option for improving the tactical interactions of 3x3 basketball players, which was based on the use of specific improvisational exercises for 12 weeks’ period, had a positive effect on basketball players’ tactical preparedness, increasing the effectiveness of their game performance during competitive games.

Digital labor in free-to-play games: player as commodity and interaction as labor in MMOGs

ABSTRACT As the lines between leisure and work have become increasingly indistinct, gaming has evolved from a purely recreational pastime to a productive endeavor, leading to a shift from players as consumers to players as laborers. Inspired by “women's work” studies and audience commodity theory, this research takes League of Legends (LoL) as a case to analyze how player interactions, as labor, create value within free-to-play (F2P) massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). This article employs a combination of political economic, and critical analysis to demonstrate how free-to-play games monetize player interactions within them. It also proposes a pattern for understanding the exploitation of players' labor in three phases: the labor process, remuneration settlement, and consumption. Thus, this study contributes to the digital labor debate by combining the notions of “women's work” and digital labor and extending audience commodity theory into the domain of video games. It also enriches the scholarly conversation on the monetization strategies of video games and free-to-play commodities, emphasizing the unrecognized labor inherent in player interactions.

Automatic cinematography for body movement involved virtual communication

AbstractThe emergence of novel AI technologies and increasingly portable wearable devices have introduced a wider range of more liberated avenues for communication and interaction between human and virtual environments. In this context, the expression of distinct emotions and movements by users may convey a variety of meanings. Consequently, an emerging challenge is how to automatically enhance the visual representation of such interactions. Here, a novel Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based model, AACOGAN, is introduced to tackle this challenge effectively. AACOGAN model establishes a relationship between player interactions, object locations, and camera movements, subsequently generating camera shots that augment player immersion. Experimental results demonstrate that AACOGAN enhances the correlation between player interactions and camera trajectories by an average of 73%, and improves multi‐focus scene quality up to 32.9%. Consequently, AACOGAN is established as an efficient and economical solution for generating camera shots appropriate for a wide range of interactive motions. Exemplary video footage can be found at https://youtu.be/Syrwbnpzgx8.