Take That!: Evaluating game systems as communicative media
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“Take that!” Evaluating Game Systems as Communicative Media Gifford Cheung The Information School University of Washington, Seattle
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We apply the ideas of Clark & Brennan (Grounding in Communications) towards understanding how gamers communicate with each other while playing games.
Transcript of Take That!: Evaluating game systems as communicative media
“Take that!”Evaluating Game Systems as
Communicative Media
Gifford CheungThe Information School
University of Washington, Seattle
Let’s talk about talk during playGaming is socialization“Pop Quiz, Hotshot!”
Playing can involve negotiations about rules“That’s cheap move.”
A game move is a communicative act. “Clever Girl”
Theoretical Underpinnings
Clark and Brennan (1991) Grounding in communication.
finding “Common Ground”via Least Collaborative Effort
Game System as Communicative Media
PhoneComputer
Xbox Nintendo DS
Xbox LiveSteam Client
SkypeBattle.NET
8 Constraints or Dimensions
Copresence A & B share the same physical environment.
Visibility A & B share visual information(e.g. Cameras, gestures, shared game screens)Audibility A & B can hear each other and
take note of timing and intonation.Cotemporality B receives at roughly the same time
as A produces.
8 Dimensions
Simultaneity A & B can send and receive at once and simultaneously.
Sequentiality A’s & B’s turns cannot get out of sequence.Reviewability B can review A’s messages.Revisability A can revise messages for B.
8 Generic Activities
Formulation, Production,
Reception, Understanding,
Start-up, Delay, Timing,
Changing Speakers, Display,
Repair
Method of Analysis
A Game system and its modalities
B [Generic activities] x [Dimensions]
C Scope by the choice of game
Method of Analysis
A Game system and its modalitiesNintendo DS, Pictochat, 2 modes of communication
B [Generic activities] x [Dimensions]8 x 8
C Scope by the choice of gameTic Tac Toe (Naughts & Crosses)
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Visibility
Co-temporality & Simultaneity
Sequentiality
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2 modes:Mediated through
Pictochat&
Copresence
Visibility/Display CostsBlah blah blah!
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Sequentiality & ReviewabilityBlah blah blah!
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Reclaiming Visibility, Sacrificing Reviewabilityan example Design Implication
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An Evaluative Prism• Based on Clark & Brennan’s cognitive theory• Useful early in the design process• Can be joined later with specific contextual
observations• Provides a vocabulary for discussion• Useful as an evaluative lens and for drawing
attention to design implications
An Extra Note
Game communication can be highly modal. Ask: Where do you want to gamers’ attention?
C&B’s Least Collaborative Effort may be useful here.
