Post on 29-Jan-2018
A Method for Tearing Apart and Quantifying Elements of Game
Design in ExergamesErnesto Ramirez, Marc Adams, Simon J. Marshall, Greg J. Norman, Lindsay Dillon, Susan Caparosa
Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems
What I’m playing...
Exergames: What’s the Point?
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Traditional Video Games
Exergames: What’s the Point?
Fun Exciting
3
Challenging
Traditional Video Games
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SEDENTARY4
The Exergame Difference
Movement
Activity
Interactive Experience
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What makes people play?Limited knowledge of the theoretical principles of game playing behavior.
Adherence may be linked to psychological constructs:
Enjoyment, Pleasure, Motivating, etc.
Personal & Social factors related to game play environment.
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What makes people play?Limited knowledge of the theoretical principles of game playing behavior.
Adherence may be linked to psychological constructs:
Enjoyment, Pleasure, Motivating, etc.
Personal & Social factors related to game play environment.
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BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ACTUAL GAME?
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Theoretical PrinciplesThe ABC’s of Operant Theory
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Theoretical PrinciplesThe ABC’s of Operant Theory
A
Antecedent
Stimuli
PromptingModeling
Goals
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Theoretical PrinciplesThe ABC’s of Operant Theory
A B
Antecedent Behavior
Stimuli
PromptingModeling
Goals
Desired
Undesired
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Theoretical PrinciplesThe ABC’s of Operant Theory
A B C
Antecedent Behavior Consequences
Stimuli
PromptingModeling
Goals
Desired
Undesired
Stimuli
+ Reinforcement- Reinforcement
PunishmentExtinction
Why Use Operant Theory?
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Games provide a unique “closed-loop” environment to examine the interactions between theoretical principles and behavior.
Interactions between contingencies and behavior can be closely examined.
Games provide immediate feedback on behavior.
Exergames have not been previously examined within this well known theoretical context
A: Antecedents
In game play antecedents typically function as:
Instructions
Modeling of behavior
Visual and audible signals that inform player a
Antecedent Examples
Antecedent Examples
Instructions
Instructions
Antecedent Examples
Antecedent Examples
Continuous modeling of behavior
B: BehaviorExergame behavior is quite different from traditional games
B: BehaviorExergame behavior is quite different from traditional games
Traditional Games
Thumb & Finger
B: BehaviorExergame behavior is quite different from traditional games
Traditional Games
Thumb & Finger
Exergames
Punch
Run
Swing
Step
Throw
Dodge
Dimensions of BehaviorForm/Topography - What is the behavior?
Frequency - How many times does the behavior occur?
Rate - Number of behavior responses over time
Intensity - The “force” of the response
Duration - Length of continuous behavior
Latency - Period between game stimuli and player response
Behavior Examples
Topography: What is the action?
Behavior Examples
Topography: What is the action?Left and Right Jab
Behavior Examples
Games can change behavior by influencing dimensions
Behavior Examples
Games can change behavior by influencing dimensions
Level Hits Time Rate1 20 10 2.002 25 10 2.503 45 15 3.004 55 15 3.675 80 20 4.006 90 20 4.507 125 25 5.008 140 25 5.609 180 30 6.0010 200 30 6.67
C: Consequences & Contingencies
Stimuli or feedback recieved during game play
Reinforcement can be used to increase desired behavior(s)Gain points for correct play (+)Reduce speed of game (-)
Penalties/Punishment can be used to decrease incorrect behavior(s)
Loss of points
Negative sounds and images
Contingency Examples
For each hit (positive reinforcement)Point increasePunching soundsRed halo at punch siteScreen shakes
Player does not pass level ( positive punishment)“Failed” text on screenNegative sounds
The Process
Independent Coding
Coding Agreement Analysis
Coding the Codes
Independent Coding
Trained research assistants
Play games
Watch recorded game play
Record observations in “real words”
Identifying Contingencies
Identifying Contingencies
Each time the player knocks down one white pin, the game: BEHAVIOR
Presents an increment of 120 points +R
Each time the player knocks down one gold pin, the game: BEHAVIOR
Presents an increase of 240 points +R
Presents an ‘energizing sound’. +R
Presents “SUPERMODE” +R
Presents music associated with SUPERMODE +R
Decreases game pace (slows down) +R
Presents cumulative count of pins +R
Each time the player knocks down one black pin, the game: BEHAVIOR
Presents “Penalty” + punish
Decrease of 1 ball in stock - punish
Presents negative sound + punish
During SUPERMODE (ANTECEDENT), each time a player knocks down a white pin, the game: BEHAVIOR
Presents an increment of 150 points +R
Resets SUPERMODE time counter +R
Adds one point to the pin count +R
Adds 1 point to the bonus fraction +R
When fraction = 1, bonus ball awarded +R
Game “codes” are analyzed for
Theoretical constructConstruct dimensionAdditional details
Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis: Coding the Codes
“For each punch on the boxing bag, the game presents a red visual halo at punch location.”
Qualitative Analysis: Coding the Codes
“For each punch on the boxing bag, the game presents a red visual halo at punch location.”
•Theoretical construct
•Construct dimension
•Additional details
Qualitative Analysis: Coding the Codes
“For each punch on the boxing bag, the game presents a red visual halo at punch location.”
•Theoretical construct
•Construct dimension
•Additional details
Contingency
Positive Reinforcement
Continuous Reinforcement
Why?Develop system of understanding game design
can be applied to all games
Determine what game players enjoy
Discover how game design is linked to actual game play
Adherence and Sustainability
Next StepsIdentify high and low fidelity games
Associated behavioral principles
Investigate game play in children using identified games
Correlate principles and game play
Identify core principles related to adherence
Other interesting dimensionsWe are aware that Operant Theory doesn’t cover everything
Motivation
Persuasion
Interactivity
Social Connections and Cooperation
Other interesting dimensionsWe are aware that Operant Theory doesn’t cover everything
Motivation
Persuasion
Interactivity
Social Connections and Cooperation
But no one study can do it all!
Acknowledgements
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & Games for Health Initiative
University of California, San Diego
All of our coders and game players
Thank youerramirez@ucsd.eduTwitter: @e_ramirez
Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems