Interactive Media and Game Development1

David FinkelComputer Science and IMGD

John WilkesSocial Science and Policy

Studies

Interactive Media and Game Development2

The Main Idea• There are well-established statistics on the

distribution of Myers Briggs types in the population

• The authors’ research connects MBTI to game play style

• We are designing games for a very small proportion of the population!!!

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A Zen Story about Game DesignFive wise, blind elephants were discussing

what humans were like. They decided to answer the question by direct experience.

The first wise, blind elephant felt the human and declared, “Humans are flat.”

The other wise, blind elephants agreed.

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Audience Models• Previous approaches:

– The EA Audience Model– International Hobo Model (2000)– Market Vectors

• MBTI• DGD1 (Demographic Game Design 1,

developed by International Hobo)

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The EA Audience Model

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International Hobo Model (2000)

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Market Vector

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MBTI

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MBTI Dichotomies

• Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)• Sensing (S) vs. iNtuition (N)• Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)• Judging vs. Perceiving (P)

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Representative Jobs• INTJ: Scientist, computer programmer, mathematician• ISTP: Artisan, race car driver, computer programmer• ISFP: Artist, bookkeeper, crisis hotline operator• INTP: Architect, college professor, computer programmer• ESFP: Entertainer, musician, teacher• ENFP: Journalist, clergy, character actor• ENTP: Inventor, venture capitalist, art director• ENFJ: Pedagogue, entertainer, artist

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Demographic Game Design 1(DGD1)

• Developed by International Hobo (2004)• Based on on-line survey of 400 participants• Survey to determine MBTI• Questionnaire to determine game buying

and playing habits, performed cluster analysis

• Follow-up study of about 80 participants

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Type of Game Players and MBTI• Type 1 Conqueror

– TJ: ISTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, ENTJ• Type 2 Manager

– TP: ISTP, ISTP, INTP, ENTP, ESTP• Type 3 Wanderer

– FP: INFP, ENFP, ISFP, ESFP• Type 4 Participant (?)

– FJ: ESFJ, ESFJ, ISFJ, ENFJ, INFJ• Each type further divided into hardcore and casual

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Hardcore vs. Casual• Hardcore

– Buy and play many games– Enjoy a challenge, game mastery– Longer play sessions– Game play as a lifestyle preference

• Casual– Buy fewer games, popular games– Have fun, or immersion in an interesting experience– Shorter play sessions– Game play as another pastime, like TV or movies

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Type 1: Conqueror• Winning, beating the game, domination• Enjoys giving advice about games• Hard fun: meaningful challenges• On-line play is attractive / social• Opportunity for advancement (level up /

better weapons)• Vocal hardcore: post and argue about games

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Type 2: Manager

• Prefer strategy or tactical challenges• Mastery: learning how to play well• Open-world games attractive• Steady progress• Less interested in social experience

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Type 3: Wanderer• Looking for enjoyment or interesting experience,

instead of a challenge• Easy fun• Emotional experience from perception and

behavior• If a Type 3 player gets stuck, might turn to a Type

1 or 2 friend for help.• Relatively few games written for this type of

player

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Type 4: Participant• FJ’s are the largest group in the population,

but the smallest group in the survey– They aren’t game players

• Very little data• Want to participate in a story or a social

grouping. Collaborative• Almost no games for this type of player

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Proportions in the population based on MBTI studies

• Type 1 Conqueror: 24%• Type 2 Manager: 16%• Type 3 Wanderer: 30%• Type 4 Participant: 30%

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Conclusions• Games are mostly designed for Type 1 and

Type 2 players• and mostly purchased by hardcore players• These represent perhaps 15% of the

population• But most game programmers and game

press writers fall in these categories!

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What to do about it

• The second half of 21st Century Game Design discusses design approaches for different genres of games to appeal to the different types of players

• From Ernest Adams’ GDC Talk:

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Adams’ Suggestions for Game Activities

• Overcoming challenges• Exploration• Enjoying natural beauty• Listening to sounds, music• Acquiring items (shopping)• Learning skills • Meeting people

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What about Game Design?

• Authors suggest usual market vector• Instead of creating games for different

gaming types, create games for all types• Depend on hardcore players to recommend

games to casual players

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Market Vector

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David FinkelComputer Science and IMGD

John WilkesSocial Science and Policy

Studies