EXPERIENTIAL MODES OF GAME PLAYDr. Bob AppelmanInstructional Systems Technology

Indiana University - Bloomington

Abstract

In order to gather empirical & qualitative data on game play across all genres, and at the same time addressing multiple research questions, a framework was established at the VX Lab at Indiana University to standardize methodology.

This Experiential Mode Framework allows for the inclusion of player perceptions, experiences, and allows for coupling with game structures and functionality. It incorporates a post-positivist methodology devised by Robert Yin.

Standard Measures

Player Demographics Age Gender Ethnicity Education level Handedness Game Platform Preferences Game Platform Ownership Game Purchasing Habits Days per Week of Game Play Hours per Day of Game Play Mode of Play (PC, Console, On-line) Specific Game & Over-all Genre Favorites Percentage of play alone, team play, competing

with others

Standard Measures

Player Skill HCI manipulation and dexterity UI manipulation effectiveness The use of effective goal reaching game

strategies Time to goal and sub-goal completions Point accumulations Direct comparisons to expert play

Standard Measures

Game Aspects Genre

RPG, MMORPG, ACTION, SPORTS, FPS, etc. Degree of Fidelity Functionality Authenticity Game Play ESRB Rating Strategies, Skills, necessary in the Design

But how does one compare one game to another?

Experiential Modes Framework (EMF)Player Experience (PX)1. Cognition –

encompassing all cognition in both cognitive and affective domains

2. Metacognition – encompassing all that the player is aware of: vision, audio, olfactory, kinesthetic, and haptic senses; plus awareness of time, objects, content or information encountered.

3. Choice – encompassing the player’s perception of degree of control; access to variables and information during game play.

4. Action – encompassing the player’s perception that they can do things such as: interact with objects, elements within the game, that they have a degree of control; that they have a degree of mobility to move through the virtual environment; that the control interface allows their psychomotor capabilities to effect change.

Experiential Modes Framework (EMF)

Game Structure (GS) Content –

the story, the context, the amount of information available, the degree of concreteness or abstraction of the content, the authenticity, and its variability

Environment – the virtual spaces and boundaries, the objects within these spaces and their functionality capabilities, plus any time limits imposed by the game

Affordances – encompassing the abilities made available within the game for the player to change, manipulate, and/or to seek alternatives or information

Game Play Analysis using an EMF Methodology

Case-Based Analysis Post-positivist methodology developed

by Robert K. Yin Each instance of game play is a Case Analysis of multiple experiences within

the same game is an Embedded Case Analysis of multiple players in different

instances is a Multiple Case

Game Play Analysis using an EMF Methodology Pre-Play Analysis

of both the Player and the Game Game Play Data Capture

using both quantitative and qualitative inquiry

Game Play Data Analysis using descriptive, pattern

and ethnographic analysis Summative Conclusions

Console Data

INPUT

Console Data

PLAYER ACTION

PC Data

INPUT

PC Data

PLAYER ACTION

PAD Data

PLAYER ACTION

Wii Data

PLAYER ACTION

Data Capture Station

Game Screen & Audio (L), Player & Audio (R)

DVD examples Video Mixer

MiniDV & VHS

DVD Recorder

Audio Mixer

Camera w/zoom& Pan/Tilt control

The Proposition

This dictates: The specific tasks you ask of your player

to perform Your methodology of testing The data you gather The analysis of the data The conclusions you draw

Propositions

Charcter level & degree of agressivness combine to determine longevity in WoW

Social isolation during WoW results in loss of social dependency

Non-Athlete but expert Madden Football players will beat Real College Football players.

In-Game goal content information will enhance performance to level completion

….. Example of Shrek II game play

Shrek II Game Play

GPA Log Sheet

25 X X X Begins searching with Shrek 30 X X X X X Finds Slug -Clobbers it -Eye Ball #1 33 X Is not aware he has to hit it twice 40 X X Contin- searching 43 X X X X Tries to beat down Outhouse 1 02 X X Contin-searching, jumping, hitting 1 40 X X X X Switches Character to Donkey 1 45 X X Contin-seraching, jumping, kicking 1 55 X X X Switches Character back to Shrek 1 15 X X X X Encounters Magic Mirror 2 15 X X X X X X Hits Slug twice & Eye Ball #2 2 15 X X X X Hits Slug twice & Eye Ball #3 2 15 X X X X Hits Slug twice & Eye Ball #4

Shrek II

00 X X X Listens and Views Cut Scene

060508_PIE14_SHK205/08/2006

“Ideal” Vs. 5 Players – Shrek II

More to come later …

Experiential Modes of Game Play drBOB Appelman – VX Lab (Indiana

University) http://www.indiana.edu/~games/research/

http://www.indiana.edu/~drbob