Playability: analysing user experience in video games

This book chapter describes an approach of evaluating user experience in video games by using heuristics. We provide a short overview of video games and explain the concept of user-centred design for games. Furthermore we describe the history of heuristics for video games and the role of user experience of games in general. Based on our previous work and experience we propose a revised framework consisting of two sets of heuristics (game play/game story, virtual interface) to detect the most critical issues in games. To assess its applicability to measure user experience factors we compare the results of expert evaluations of six current games with the user experience-based ratings of various game reviews. Our findings indicate a correlation between the extent to which our framework is satisfied and the game’s average rating.

This chapter describes an approach to evaluating user experience in video games and advanced interaction games (tabletop games) by using heuristics. We provide a short overview of computer games with a focus on advanced interaction games and explain the concept of user-centred design for games. Furthermore, we describe the history of heuristics for video games and the role of user experience of games in general. We propose a framework consisting of three sets of heuristics (game play/game story, virtual interface and tabletop specific) to detect the most critical issues in video games as well as advanced interaction games. To assess its applicability, we compare the results of expert evaluations of five current games with the user experience-based ratings of various game review sites. In the conclusion, we provide an outlook on possible extensions of our approach.

Video games can be a valuable tool for surgery training. Individuals who interact or play video games tend to have a better visuospatial ability when compared to non-gamers. Numerous studies suggest that video game experience is associated with faster acquisition, greater sharpening, and longer retention of laparoscopic skills. Given the neurocognitive complexity of surgery skill, multimodal approaches are required to understand how video game playing enhances laparoscopy skill. Twenty-seven students with no laparoscopy experience and varying levels of video game experience performed standard laparoscopic training tasks. Their performance, subjective cognitive loading, and prefrontal cortical activity were recorded and analyzed. As a reference point to use in comparing the two novice groups, we also included data from 13 surgeons with varying levels of laparoscopy experience and no video game experience. Results indicated that video game experience was correlated with higher performance (R2 = 0.22, p <0.01) and lower cognitive load (R2 = 0.21, p <0.001), and the prefrontal cortical activation of students with gaming experience was relatively lower than those without gaming experience. In terms of these variables, gaming experience in novices tended to produce effects similar to those of laparoscopy experience in surgeons. Our results suggest that along the dimensions of performance, cognitive load, and brain activity, the effects of video gaming experience on novice laparoscopy trainees are similar to those of real-world laparoscopy experience on surgeons. We believe that the neural underpinnings of surgery skill and its links with gaming experience need to be investigated further using wearable functional brain imaging.

Several decades of research have established that video game experience is associated with differences in social information processing, visual-spatial processing, and cognitive control. Fewer studies have examined the relationship between video game experience and risky decision making outside of the gaming environment. The current set of studies examined the hypothesis that video game experience is associated with riskier decision making due to differential sensitivity to outcomes (i.e., reward, punishment). Study 1 was designed to explore the relationships between video game experience, risky decision making, and sensitivity to outcomes in a large sample of individuals. Study 2 was designed to investigate the association between individual differences in video game experience and the neural correlates of outcome sensitivity. Finally, Study 3 was designed to establish a causal relationship between immediate, brief experience with a video game and sensitivity to outcomes. The findings from the three studies indicate that video game experience is associated with differences in outcome sensitivity, but the relationship is complex and may depend on various factors, such as the genre of the video game and the presence of symptoms of pathological use. The data from the current set of studies should serve as a starting point for further research examining video games and risky decision making.

Nowadays, video games are getting popular due to the rapid growth of technology, especially mobile technology. Video games are now able to be played on mobile devices whether in single or multiplayer mode by using the internet and it's free and available everywhere. Understanding player experience in mobile video games is essential for developers and researchers. This research evaluates player experience in a mobile video game using the Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) and Player Experience Questionnaire (PENS). The evaluation was performed using an online questionnaire form to the participants (N = 110) who had played the specific mobile game. Using the Core Questionnaire from the Game Experience Questionnaire and Player Experience of Need Satisfaction module, this research found that the Game Experience Questionnaire shows high scores values in the aspects of Immersion (4.22), Competence (3.25), and Positive Aspects (4.38) which indicates a good player experience, and the Player Experience of Need Satisfaction shows a rather balanced yet high score for each value that indicates a satisfying player experience.

When newbies and veterans play together: The effect of video game content, context and experience on cooperation

Video games have become a ubiquitous form of entertainment and have been enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. The gaming industry has evolved rapidly, with new games being released every year that push the boundaries of technology and creativity. To ensure that video games are not just technically advanced, but also enjoyable and engaging, measuring the gaming experience is essential because it helps game designers understand how players interact with the game and identify areas for its improvement. The objective of this paper is to examine an interplay of gaming experience dimensions in the context of platform video games and to determine the extent to which they contribute to players’ behavioral intentions. To fulfil this objective, an empirical study was undertaken, involving participants with diverse gaming backgrounds. They were requested to engage in the gameplay of the Stranded Away platformer game and subsequently respond to a post-use questionnaire. The psychometric features of the introduced conceptual model were evaluated with the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. The reported findings demonstrate the importance of evaluating different facets of the gaming experience in video games and showcase the potential of the proposed model and measuring instrument as tools for game designers to enhance the overall quality of their products.

As computer technology continues to pervade every facet of life, the study of video game playing becomes more relevant. Studies show that sex differences continue to exist between men and women, boys and girls, in video game experience, favoring males. Few studies show any overlap in preferences between young men and women in their video gaming choices. The current study surveyed over 2,000 college undergraduates for video game experience, preferences, and self-efficacy. Although it was found that men play video games more often, have had more experience, and feel more confident in their game playing ability, a moderate female gaming population was found to exist, who also play video games regularly. Almost as many similarities as differences were found between men and women in their gaming preferences. Suggestions and implications for the video game industry are discussed.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Research problem – The average age of video game players is above 30 in many parts of the world, but the literature surrounding video games in public libraries often focuses on engaging children and teenagers. This suggests that there may be an underserved population of video game players in public libraries.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In addition to this, successful video game ventures require organisers familiar with and knowledgeable about video games. It is unknown whether public library staff in general possess these qualities, or if they are engaged with video game services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;This report aimed to investigate how public library staff in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) engage with video games and video game services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Methodology – Invitations to participate in an online questionnaire were sent to 20 public library systems and the NZ-Libs email list. Five organisations agreed to distribute the questionnaire to their staff. A sample size of 183 respondents was achieved. Questions were asked about video game experiences, perceptions, and library services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Results – NZ public library staff appear to engage with video games in a similar way to the general NZ population. In addition, there appears to be an overall positive perception of their place in public libraries (87% of respondents supported video games in public libraries).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Video game players appear to think more positively about video games and be more aware of their impact on individuals compared to non-players. They also appear to be more confident in delivering related services and more likely to be running related events.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Video game services in NZ public libraries seem to largely target younger age groups, mirroring the perceived main target audience for video games indicated by respondents. This revealed a potentially underserved population (video game players aged 46 – 84) for NZ public libraries that offer video game services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Implications – It appears that encouraging engagement with video games may improve staff confidence in delivering video game services, although further research is required to confirm this.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In addition, there is a potentially underserved population of video game players aged 46 – 84, who account for nearly half of the 46 – 84 year old population. Evaluation of this potentially underserved population is an interesting topic for future research.&lt;/p&gt;

Video game experience and its influence on visual attention parameters: An investigation using the framework of the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA)

In order to design new methodologies for evaluating the user experience of video games, it is imperative to initially understand two core issues. Firstly, how are video games developed at present, including components such as processes, timescales and staff roles, and secondly, how do studios design and evaluate the user experience. This chapter will discuss the video game development process and the practices that studios currently use to achieve the best possible user experience. It will present four case studies from game developers Disney Interactive (Black Rock Studio), Relentless, Zoe Mode, and HandCircus, each detailing their game development process and also how this integrates with the user experience evaluation. The case studies focus on different game genres, platforms, and target user groups, ensuring that this chapter represents a balanced view of current practices in evaluating user experience during the game development process.

To keep pace with increasing applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), recruitment of operators will need to be expanded to include groups not traditionally engaged in UAV pilot training. The present study may inform this process as it investigated the relationship between video game experience and gender on performance of imaging and weapon release tasks in a simulated multi-UAV supervisory control station. Each of 101 participants completed a 60 minute experimental trial. Workload and Level of Automation (LOA) were manipulated. Video gaming expertise correlated with performance on a demanding surveillance task component. Video gamers also placed more trust in the automation in demanding conditions and exhibited higher subjective task engagement and lower distress and worry. Results may encourage recruitment of UAV operators from nontraditional populations. Gamers may have a particular aptitude, and with gaming experience controlled, women show no disadvantage relative to men.

Transforming video games into movies and transforming movies into video games has been a common thing nowadays. With advanced technology, what can be done in a video game can also be done in a movie, and vice versa. Good attention to details is important in a transformation process as the final product has to be as good as the original one, if not better. To be able to do well in transforming an art form to another, it is important to understand the whole process and how it was first done.

The underlying mechanisms responsible for the improvements in cognition associated with video game play are less understood than the benefits. It is unclear whether cognitive improvements associated with video game play result from play in general (domain-general improvements) or from playing specific types of games (domain-specific improvements). These improvements may be evaluated through comparisons of two cognitive models: the domain-specific, transfer-appropriate processing model (TAPM) and the domain-general, perceptual template model (PTM). TAPM suggests that improvements in cognitive skills occur only when a training task requires their implementation, whereas PTM suggests that cognitive skills may be improved by non-task specific training which may lead to better allocate attentional resources. Performance metrics from selective attention and inhibitory control constructs were compared between participants with general video game experience, genre-specific experience, and no video game experience to determine how prior experience affected performance. The hypotheses related to cognitive improvements associated with video game play were not statistically supported in this study. The researchers concluded that there is a need for improved operationalization of video game experience, methodological approaches to address confounding variables (different game platforms and gaming habits), and development of more sensitive cognitive measures to better assess changes in cognition.

Visual effects and elements in video games and interactive virtual environments can be applied to transfer (or delegate) non-visual perceptions (e.g., proprioception, presence, pain) to players and users, thus increasing perceptual diversity via the visual modality. Such elements or effects are referred to as visual delegates (VDs). Current findings on the experiences that VDs can elicit relate to specific VDs, not to VDs in general. Deductive and comprehensive VD evaluation frameworks are lacking. We analyzed VDs in video games to generalize VDs in terms of their visual properties. We conducted a systematic paper analysis to explore player and user experiences observed in association with specific VDs in user studies. We conducted semi-structured interviews with expert players to determine their preferences and the impact of VD properties. The resulting VD framework (VD-frame) contributes to a more strategic approach to identifying the impact of VDs on player and user experiences.