Modern Games Research Articles

Reflecting the Cold War in “Atomic Heart”

Introduction. The present study is devoted to the study of the influence of artifacts of the symbolic politics of the USA and the USSR on the positioning of the respective socio-political systems in modern video games. The article includes the content of the “Atomic Heart” video game studies and analysis from the point of view of the theory of social memory and symbolic politics. Methods and materials. A certain number of methods were used to solve the actual tasks in the article. In particular, case-study methods and elements of structural and comparative analysis were used. Analysis. The game “Atomic Heart” was chosen as a research case. The choice of the case is due to the high popularity of this game both within Russia and internationally, as well as the connection of the plot to the topic of the confrontation between the USSR and the United States after World War II and the presence of a wide representation of the symbolism of this conflict inside the game (up to the reproduction of real campaign materials). On the one hand, the ways of representing the USA in Soviet propaganda and their interpretation by video game developers are studied. On the other hand, the positioning of the Soviet Union by game designers and screenwriters by exploiting the images and stereotypes of perception that were formed in Western culture during the Cold War is examined. Results. The author concludes that, when forming the in-game symbols, the developers actively exploited the resource of Soviet aesthetics; however, Cold War narratives in Western mass culture works played a significant role in shaping the project’s emotional, semantic, and value content. The main reason for this decision was most likely economic, as the game was created with the expectation of generating the main profit in foreign markets as a commercial product. However, this decision actually contributed to the resuscitation of the functional qualities of the symbolic legacy of the Cold War and the use of its narratives to correct the perceptions of the target audience about the USSR and its role in the confrontation between the two blocs.

Automated Gameplay Testing and Validation With Curiosity-Conditioned Proximal Trajectories

This paper proposes a novel deep reinforcement learning algorithm to perform automated analysis and detection of gameplay issues in complex 3D navigation environments. The Curiosity-Conditioned Proximal Trajectories (CCPT) method combines curiosity and imitation learning to train agents that methodically explore in the proximity of known trajectories derived from expert demonstrations. We show how our new algorithm can explore complex environments, discovering gameplay issues and design oversights in the process, and recognize and highlight them directly to game designers. We also propose a visual analytics interface to aid interpretation of results from the method. This interface transforms information from complex models into interpretable and interactive visual forms. We further demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in a novel 3D navigation environment which reflects the complexity of modern video games. Our results show a higher level of coverage and bug discovery than baseline methods, demonstrating that our method can be a useful tool for game designers to automatically identify design issues. Moreover, our experiments show that the visual explanations provided by the analytics interface result in a significant increase in user trust and acceptance of automated playtesting and increased confidence in the use of machine learning techniques for video game development.

The Excellent Symbol in Sports: Pierre de Coubertin’s Rings

Baron de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, made many attempts to make the games more effective and recognizable. One of these attempts is the design of the Olympic flag, because there was a need for a visual symbol. The idea of Olympism created by Coubertin aims to interlock the world with the bonds of love and friendship as a result of the unity of mind, soul and body. This ideal which also constitutes the meaning infrastructure of the rings, is coded on six different colors and five rings. It can be said that the intellectual origin of the rings is based on the institutions Coubertin was in and on some symbols and visuals he witnessed. The rings first appeared in two letters Coubertin sent to a close friend. They were then formally announced in a written declaration in 1913 and introduced at the 1914 Paris convention. The flag was first waved at a sporting event in Egypt, at a non-Olympic event. After that the usage areas of the rings expanded considerably. The Olympic Games in Antwerp in 1920 and in Paris in 1924 increased the popularity of the flag and it was used in many different places. The officialization of the flag also promoted the flag ritual over time. The attempt to associate the ring symbol with the ancient Olympic Games remained a mistake. The aim of the study is to bring to the forefront the birth and developmental stages of the world's most popular flag, the Olympic flag with five rings, along with the ideas, contradictions, and disagreements found in the literature on the subject, and to provide a clearer and more understandable chronological structure.

Pentingnya Pengenalan Permainan Tradisional dalam Menanamkan Nilai Karakter dan Budaya

Traditional games play a crucial role in enriching character values and culture among children. In this paper, the involvement of traditional games in fostering social interaction, strengthening cultural identity, and shaping children's characters is explored extensively. Despite the rapid advancement of technology shifting the popularity of modern games, traditional games still hold irreplaceable values. Through the analysis of various traditional games such as hide and seek, tag, hopscotch, stilts, and fortresses, values like honesty, teamwork, responsibility, and patriotism are identified as integral parts of children's play experiences. This research emphasizes the importance of introducing traditional games in the context of character education, considering their role in shaping personalities and reinforcing cultural identities. Through a descriptive qualitative approach, this study delves into the depth of values embedded in traditional games and highlights the urgency of preserving this cultural heritage amidst globalization. The research findings indicate that traditional games not only provide entertainment but also serve as effective learning tools in shaping children's characters. Therefore, efforts to promote and introduce traditional games to children are crucial in maintaining the continuity of cultural heritage and fostering positive values in society.

The Century-Long Struggle for the Leadership of World Sport

In less than a century, sport has evolved from a hobby for a few European gentlemen into a global phenomenon involving people from all walks of life and of all ages. Media coverage of large sport events, especially the modern Olympic Games, has contributed greatly to increasing and widening sport’s appeal and turning it into an activity enjoyed by countless millions of people of both sexes, whether grassroots participants, spectators or elite athletes. Three types of organizations have sought to lead world sport: (1) The International Olympic Committee, which awards Olympic Games to host cities; (2) international sport federations, each of which establishes universal rules for its sport and recognizes national federations; and (3) certain governments and intergovernmental organizations. The century-long geopolitical struggle for the leadership of world sport can be divided into five periods. Although the International Olympic Committee currently holds the upper hand, the emergence of new actors may threaten its dominant position.

Exploring the Impact of Ambient and Character Sounds on Player Experience in Video Games

Elaborate sound design, including background music, ambient sounds (sounds describing the game world), and character sounds (sounds generated by the character’s actions), plays a pivotal role in modern video games. However, the influence of these different types of sound on the player’s experience has not been extensively researched. This study examines the influence of these sound types on immersion, avatar identification, fun, and perceived competence. In two experiments, participants played League of Legends under four different sound conditions. The first experiment (N1 = 32) revealed a non-significant trend in the effect of character sounds on avatar identification. Ambient sounds, however, were limited because the task restricted participants’ movement across the game map. Consequently, we adapted the task to allow for a wider variety of ambient sounds in the second experiment (N2 = 32). Here, a significant impact of character sounds on immersion, avatar identification, and fun was observed, as well as an interaction effect of character sounds and ambient sounds on fun. Furthermore, we observed a trend, though not statistically significant, suggesting that ambient sounds may influence the player’s sense of flow. These findings underline the distinct effects of different sound types, and we discuss implications for the design of sound in video games.

The Ground Floor Approach to Video Game Accessibility: Identifying Design Features Prioritized by Accessibility Reviews

This article describes the priorities for accessibility found in video game accessibility reviews. Through an analysis of 20 articles published by the accessibility review websites DAGERSystem.com and CanIPlayThat.com, this study categorizes the accessibility features in those articles in order to discover which accessibility features are the most important to reviewers, gauged by how many words are dedicated to addressing each feature. The study discovers 15 primary categories of accessibility most prominently features in these reviews. Word counts for each category provide a prioritized list of which accessibility features are the most central to video game accessibility. This article concludes by introducing the ground floor approach to video game accessibility, which calls for subtitles, difficulty settings, control options, and visual clarity as essential features in modern game design.

Participation of women sportsperson from India in the modern Olympic games till 2020: A study

Participation of women sportsperson from India in the modern Olympic games till 2020: A study

Қараханид кезеңіндегі түркі ойындарының түркі халықтары мәдениетіндегі орны

The game is an important part of the culture, spiritual and practical activities of the Turkic peoples. The article is devoted to the analysis of Turkic games of the Karakhanid period. Based on historical and cultural materials and the text of the monument, the author of the article explores equestrian and children's games that were popular in the medieval era and have continuity with the modern games of the Turkic peoples. The significance of the article is shown in the fact that for the author through various language units identifies the main structural components of equestrian and children's games, carries out language and historical and cultural analysis of games captured in the monument. These games include Shogen (Polo), zhambi atu (archery), horse racing, games in asychki, games in nuts, hide and seek, games with animal horns. The last children's game is a cultural definition of the monument, as it is characteristic only for that time.

PERMAINAN TRADISIONAL DI ERA MODERN SEBAGAI SUMBER IDE PENCIPTAAN KARYA SENI LUKIS

The creation of the Final Project entitled "Traditional Games in the Modern Era of Ideas in the Creating of Paintings" is taken from the current state of traditional games. There are several factors that cause traditional games to be abandoned today; 1). Reduced children's play area, 2). The role of parents, 3). Enter the modern game. At this time traditional games are rarely played by children, because most children are more interested in playing smartphones. The process of creating this final painting work uses the theoretical basis of L.H Chapman, which mentions 3 stages, namely, 1). Efforts to find ideas or find sources of ideas, inspiration, 2). Enchane, develop and establish initial ideas, 3). Visualization into the medium. Objects in paintings and figures for children are depicted with decorative naive forms and the choice of colors uses bright colors which are expected to be able to express an atmosphere of joy. The child figures experience a change in facial anatomy, which is expected to represent the character of a child who is innocent and free-spirited and depicts innocent children who have not yet found their identity. In this painting, the author displays the atmosphere that occurs in each of his paintings.

Топосы нарратива компьютерных игр и особенности репрезентации гендерных образов

Computer games, which have become widespread in the modern cultural space, reflect many phenomena of the real world, the reality surrounding a person, and even aspects of an individual's self-representation. The most important characteristic, finding its representation in a computer-game narrative, is the gender of the characters. In addition, in modern games there is also reflection on the problem of gender. Many modern games try to capture the complexity of the gender image, the correlation between gender and the game world, the presence of stories of world culture in the gender image, mythology and even experiences of philosophical reflection. In modern computer games we can distinguish games with complex gender images within the framework of a complicated game narrative. These games represent the topoi of the internal game space as examples of a certain gaming space-time which shows the gender image in its complexity/simplicity. The au-thor analyzes gender images within the topoi of the game narrative through psychoanalytic and phenomeno-logical registers, as well as two ways of fixing gender characteristics: discursive and semiotic-narrative.

Development and optimization of simulation models and methods for controlling virtual artillery units in game scenarios

In the realm of modern video game development, special attention is given to the simulation of artillery systems, which play a crucial role in various military-themed games. This research presents a mathematical model for simulating the actions of a virtual artillery system. The model is designed to manage the execution of combat tasks, including targeting destruction with a specified number of shells and incorporating the strategic movement between firing positions to minimize detection and attack by enemy forces in the game. The model presumes that all shots are effective and equates the number of firing positions to the number of shots, with a minimum of one shot per position. The model's dynamics do not allow for returning to previous positions, adding a layer of complexity and realism to the gameplay. Movement simulations between positions are designed along virtual roads of varying quality, enhancing the strategic elements of the game. A method for determining the optimal strategy for the artillery system's actions has been developed, introducing the concept of the current structure of combat task execution. This problem-solving approach falls within the realm of Pareto-oriented tasks or dynamic programming challenges. The computational method of the model is based on a general algorithm, underpinned by specialized additional algorithms. Results from this model demonstrate the feasibility of completing combat tasks effectively, with a maximum of two shots per firing position. The research differentiates between defensive and offensive tactics in gameplay, suggesting that while a strategy involving ten shots per target aligns with defensive gameplay, a strategy with four shots per target aligns with offensive actions. Consequently, the "shot-and-scoot" tactic in an offensive context can be aptly termed as “hid-and-shot”.

Time to stop playing

This article highlights the interrelated crises that the games industry, its digital game consumers, and the academic field of game studies are embedded in and responsible for reproducing. By couching our analysis in Marxist, feminist, anti-fascist, and anti-imperialist understandings of how our social relations arise from the historical-material basis of society, we identify several different conditions of modern digital games that everyone working in and around games should confront and take seriously, especially regarding contemporary and future impacts and restrictions on the type of research and education we are able to conduct. These crises emerge from social and economic structures including imperialism, racism, militarism, fascism, and patriarchy. To better confront them, we broadly define the causes from which the morbid symptoms we witness arise in primarily Western societies and how they manifest in the games industry, its consumers, and its academic institutions. Based off these aspects, we extrapolate their trajectory in how they will change and adapt to the future of games and of their study, as the ecological and social crises intensify and reverberate. This allows us to propose potential strategies for radically confronting and potentially overcoming the looming crises related to war, patriarchy, white supremacy, famine, destitution, fascism, and climate apocalypse.

Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Online Scenario- based Gamification Workshop on Participants' Learning and Satisfaction

Introduction: In modern educational approaches, game and gamification are one of the main approaches in creating attractive learning spaces. Game-based learning is also an active and appropriate method for behavioral and performance changes in students. This study reviews the design and implementation of a scenario- based gamification workshop and evaluates its impact on learning and participant satisfaction. Methods: This semi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted on participants in a scenario-based gamification workshop in early 2021. The study population consisted of 52 participants, including medical faculty members and students, who participated in a national gamification workshop. Due to the small sample size, all individuals were included in the study through a census method, and ultimately, 46 participants completed both pretest and posttest questionnaires. The workshop was held online simultaneously through a six- hour webinar using the ZOOM platform and was conducted by two instructors through short lectures, interactive questions, and presenting scenarios. The research tools were two questionnaires to assess pre- and post- knowledge and participants' satisfaction with the quality of the workshop. The satisfaction cut- off point was considered to be 75%, equivalent to 4 out of 5, and the knowledge score range was from 0 to 10, with a cut- off point of 5. The data were analyzed using one- sample t- test, paired t-test, and ANOVA through SPSS. Results: The results showed that the instructional intervention was significantly effective in increasing participants' knowledge (P< 0.001, t=14.36). Independent t- test of the posttest score by demographic variables showed no significant difference in gender (P = 0.134, t=.56) and academic status (P= 0.645, t = 1.01). There was no significant relationship between participants' educational level and posttest score (P= 0.871, F= 1.60). The results of the satisfaction score showed that the satisfaction score for all dimensions was above the cut-off-point (4) (P< 0.001). Participants' free comments emphasized the necessity and usefulness of game-based learning and gamification in teaching and learning. Conclusion: It seems that developing practical concepts of gamification and scenario- based gamification for teachers will be useful in creating more attractive classrooms. In this regard, it is necessary to provide empowerment courses and educational programs for faculty members and educational staff on gamification and its implementation in educational environments.

Why Purchase Premium in Freemium Online Games: The Self Determination Theory Perspective

After the rise of the freemium business model, the video games industry emerged as a popular source of entertainment in Malaysia. In this modern free game model, virtual content trading is considered a great source of revenue generation for game developers and publishers. Millions of players around the world participate in this activity and purchase virtual items. In this study, we focus on exploring the motives of Malaysian youth for purchasing these in-game virtual products. By employing purposive sampling, qualitative data were collected by means of conducting in-depth interviews with game players who purchase virtual products. This study explored seven important factors: the desire for uniqueness, the desire for dominance, the desire for skillfulness, social interaction, the desire for freedom, social affiliation, and enjoyment, which strongly influence Malaysian players’ behavior toward in-game content consumption during video game playing. Gamers and game developers can benefit from the findings of the present study to customize the in-game virtual product design strategies as per the expectations of respondents.
 Keywords: free-to-play, video games, freemium, virtual purchasing, purchase intention

Organizational Model and Event Operation of the Modern Olympic Games -A Case Study of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

This study is mainly about the organization of the modern Olympic games and the way they operate these games. In the beginning, the passage will introduce the Olympic games, like the original of the games and the whole situation about the Olympic games. Then, the passage will introduce the Paris Olympic Games. The passage will go through the Paris Olympic Games to analyze the organizational model and event operation of the modern Olympic Games. Firstly, the passage will analyze the new sports which are the first time appearing in Paris and the planning of each competition. Next, the passage will talk about the venue in Paris. In the next paragraph, the passage compares Paris and London Olympics. It will use some specific data to show the advantages of the Paris Olympics, which are better than the London Olympics and show the progress of the Paris Olympic Games. The passage will compare these two Olympic games in some ways, like cost, venue, arrangement of the competitions, containment, the new technology used in the Olympics. Moreover, it will talk about the improvement of the Paris Olympic Games, even the modern Olympics, which will hold in the future. Finally, the conclusion will show the advantages of the operation and organization model of the Paris Olympic Games. The data on the Olympics may have limitations, so it will also show the progress and the improvement of the Olympic games through the comparison between the two Olympic games.

“Fox Fables” an Adventure based 2D Game in Unity Game Engine

Abstract: This research paper explores "Fox Fables," a 2D adventure game developed with the Unity game engine, emphasizing dynamic storytelling and AI-driven gameplay. Players assume the role of Felix, a clever fox navigating an intricately designed world with unique characters and narratives. The Unity engine serves as the project's backbone, enabling the creation of visually stunning environments, 2D characters, and seamless gameplay mechanics. NPC characters, including Grunt Eagles, Frogs, and the formidable Gorilla, are brought to life through specific AI algorithms, such as pathfinding, Finite State Machines, and Behaviour Trees. A standout feature is the dynamic narrative system, adapting to player choices and influencing character alliances. Sparrow, Turtle, and Cat, as static NPCs, offer guidance, items, and in-game purchases. Player choices shape alliances, conflicts, and distinct outcomes in the climactic Dark Theme, where Felix faces the Gorilla in a final battle. Unity's user-friendliness and scalability contributed to an immersive and engaging gaming experience. AI algorithms effectively create realistic NPC behaviours, enriching gameplay. The dynamic narrative system enhances player engagement, providing unique storylines. In conclusion, "Fox Fables" exemplifies the fusion of narrative-driven gameplay and AI-driven character interactions. It underscores the potential of the Unity game engine and dynamic storytelling in modern game development, contributing insights to the broader field.

Investigation of the Reasons for the Ottoman Empire's Limited Participation in the Modern Olympic Games

The Olympic Games organised in the ancient Greek civilisation was a formation in which only Greeks and men could participate and individual competitions were held. Years later, the work carried out by archaeologists and researchers in Olympia attracted the attention of Baron Pierre De Coubertin. These studies sparked the idea of creating the modern Olympic Games, a modernised version of the ancient Greek games. Thoughts such as the modern Olympic Games, providing a peaceful and goodwill environment, and being open to the whole world affected the perspective of the Ottoman Empire on the Olympics, and in this sense, the Ottoman Empire was also involved in the process of participation in the modern Olympics, albeit limited. The aim of this study is to examine the Ottoman State's perspective on the modern Olympic Games, to analyse the process of participating in these Olympics and to determine the reasons for the limited participation considering the conditions of the period, which first started in Athens in 1896 and the date of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. In the study conducted for this purpose, the conditions of the period in question were analysed and a literature review covering various articles and academic books was conducted. During the relevant period, the Ottoman Empire could not participate in the first Olympic Games due to financial difficulties and the oppressive regime; afterwards, this participation was made possible through individual efforts. The oppressive regime of tyranny imposed on Turks paved the way for the participation to be realised through non-Turkish athletes. In this sense, the reasons for the limited participation of the Ottoman Empire in the modern Olympics can be considered as financial impossibilities, the oppressive regime imposed, distance, the outbreak of the World War and the attribution of the responsibility to the Allied States in which the Ottoman Empire was located.

Changing Rules While Playing: On the Affective Potential of In-Game Rule Changes

Abstract The essay deals with a powerful feature of games, the phenomenon of in-game rule change or, more specifically, the occasional, even if regulated, breach of contract between the game and the player, which has a dramatic effect on the player’s experience. I attempt to define this phenomenon through the concepts of operational rules, meaningful play, board state and victory points, and then review our perceptions and preconceptions of board games, which are seen in most cases as a balanced means of social puzzle solving. The examples discussed demonstrate that some modern games are far more interactive, dynamic, and less balanced than we might imagine, which makes rule changes during play possible and dramatic. (GZK)

Analysis of tactical actions of women's football teams participating in the UEFA Champions League

The processes observed in women's football, in particular in the conduct of the UEFA Champions League among women's teams, require the development and improvement of methods of organizing training and competitive activities. Solving this problem at the current stage of football development is possible only through the intensification and individualization of the educational and training process, as well as by researching the indicators of competitive activity of the leading teams. An example of this is the UEFA Champions League games, where teams demonstrate extremely high indicators that characterize competitive activity and determine the current trends in the development of women's football in the world. The purpose of the work is to determine the characteristics of the tactical actions of the leading women's football teams in matches of the UEFA Champions League. Materials and methods of research. Analysis and generalization of literary sources, theoretical interpretation and explanation, method of historical analogies, pedagogical observation, elements of mathematical statistics. The results of the research. The analysis of competitive performance indicators established that the high pressing has become an integral part of the game of the leading women’s teams in UEFA Champions League matches. The French clubs lead the rating by the indicator of pressing intensity, their indicator was within 9.3 passes (Lion) to 9.9 passes (PSG) that was established. The lowest indicators of the intensity of pressing in the German team Bayern – 22.7 passes. The obtained results of the analysis of the average number of passes from the flank per game, as well as the percentage of their efficiency, indicate their low efficiency, since this indicator is in the range from 12% (Rusenhord) to 29.2% (Barcelona), which affects the effectiveness of attacks afterafter high transfers from the flank. The obtained results of the study indicate that in order to carry out effective attacks by the leading women’s teams of the UEFA Champions League, it is necessary to carry out an average of 10.3 attacks on the opponent’s goal. The highest indicators of the number of attempts to carry out effective attacks were established by the Barcelona team (5.5 attacks) and the Chelsea team (5.6 attacks). Conclusions. A high pressing is becoming more effective due to the tendency to increase the number of short passes from the goalkeeper that was established by the results of a study of the competitive performance of the leading women’s teams in UEFA Champions League matches. This increases the level of defense and the intensity of the pressing when the opponents look for opportunities to build an attack. The high passes from the wing are less effective than sharp passes from the bottom, this is due to the high level of preparation of central defenders and goalkeepers that was established by the comparative analysis of the execution of wing passes by the leading teams participating in the UEFA Champions League. The development trends of the modern football game are characterized by high defensive lines, which influenced quick counterattacks from low pressing, which became less used - only certain teams usually prefer a low defensive block.