Player behavioural modelling has grown from a means to improve the playing strength of computer programs that play classic games (e.g., chess), to a means for impacting the player experience and satisfaction in video games, as well as in cross-domain applications such as interactive storytelling. In this context, player behavioural modelling is concerned with two goals, namely (1) providing an interesting or effective game AI on the basis of player models and (2) creating a basis for game developers to personalise gameplay as a whole, and creating new user-driven game mechanics. In this article, we provide an overview of player behavioural modelling for video games by detailing four distinct approaches, namely (1) modelling player actions, (2) modelling player tactics, (3) modelling player strategies, and (4) player profiling. We conclude the article with an analysis on the applicability of the approaches for the domain of video games.
When we make games, we have many implicit understandings of what constitutes an interaction from a player and what constitutes their goal for playing; however, in trying to build a method of understanding a simple interaction (such as finding a key to open a gate) numerous limitations of our understanding were revealed. This talk presents Prof. Mata Haggis-Burridge’s and Thomas Buijtenweg’s development of a new model for understanding video games and interactive media: the Journey to Content. The approach looks at core structural elements of digital games and breaks them down into constituents that help us to understand the player, content, gates, and keys. This model presents an unusual and revealing insight into both the structure of existing games and the assumptions that are usually sublimated by creators. Unlike high-level analysis models, such as the MDA Framework and Bartle’s Taxonomy of Players, the Journey to Content model examines the moment-to-moment interactions of players within both the system of the game and their wider societal context. Early application of the concepts from the model have shown that it has practical use for designers, and that it has potential for stimulating new game concepts. The model also has implications for metrics analysis and study/development of interactive systems beyond games. The talk also contains information about four types of ‘immersion’ in video games: systems immersion, spatial immersion, social/empathic immersion, and narrative immersion. It is discussed how these four types can be impacted in a variety of positive and negative ways by an individual change to a game. These four types of immersion are then compared and combined with the Journey To Content model to reveal new research questions.
In dit themanummer zijn verschillende methoden van praktijkgericht onderzoek besproken waarin data gewonnen uit video-observatie het belangrijkste onderzoeksmateriaal is. In deze nabeschouwing gaat het ons niet zozeer om de methoden van onderzoek zelf. We willen graag een bijdrage leveren aan de principles based social work en zullen daarom steeds op onderliggende waarden reflecteren die met behulp van video-observatie zichtbaar kunnen worden gemaakt. Achtereenvolgens zetten we uiteen: (1) waarom het goed is dat sociaal werk in beeld wordt gebracht door middel van video-observatie, en (2) wat er nog aandacht verdient in het werken met video-observatie in het sociaal werk.
Physical rehabilitation programs revolve around the repetitive execution of exercises since it has been proven to lead to better rehabilitation results. Although beginning the motor (re)learning process early is paramount to obtain good recovery outcomes, patients do not normally see/experience any short-term improvement, which has a toll on their motivation. Therefore, patients find it difficult to stay engaged in seemingly mundane exercises, not only in terms of adhering to the rehabilitation program, but also in terms of proper execution of the movements. One way in which this motivation problem has been tackled is to employ games in the rehabilitation process. These games are designed to reward patients for performing the exercises correctly or regularly. The rewards can take many forms, for instance providing an experience that is engaging (fun), one that is aesthetically pleasing (appealing visual and aural feedback), or one that employs gamification elements such as points, badges, or achievements. However, even though some of these serious game systems are designed together with physiotherapists and with the patients’ needs in mind, many of them end up not being used consistently during physical rehabilitation past the first few sessions (i.e. novelty effect). Thus, in this project, we aim to 1) Identify, by means of literature reviews, focus groups, and interviews with the involved stakeholders, why this is happening, 2) Develop a set of guidelines for the successful deployment of serious games for rehabilitation, and 3) Develop an initial implementation process and ideas for potential serious games. In a follow-up application, we intend to build on this knowledge and apply it in the design of a (set of) serious game for rehabilitation to be deployed at one of the partners centers and conduct a longitudinal evaluation to measure the success of the application of the deployment guidelines.
Aanleiding De geestelijke gezondheidszorg (GGZ) staat voor een grote opgave: er moet fors bezuinigd worden terwijl de kwaliteit van de zorg gehandhaafd moet blijven. Inzet van beeldcommunicatie kan hieraan een bijdrage leveren. Zorgverleners zijn echter niet of nauwelijks getraind op beeldcommunicatie. Ze zijn juist geoefend om subtiele signalen te interpreteren die via beeldcommunicatie niet of veel moeilijker waarneembaar zijn. Doelstelling De ambitie van het project is om GGZ-zorgverleners te ondersteunen bij het effectief inpassen van beeldbellen in de eigen zorgverlening. Daarvoor moeten de volgende drie doelen bereikt worden. 1. het verkrijgen van kennis en inzichten over de vraag waarom het (intensiever) inzetten van beeldbellen voor de GGZ-zorgverleners nu zo moeilijk is; 2. het omzetten van deze kennis en inzichten in producten die recht doen aan de complexiteit van de GGZ-problematiek en daarnaast praktisch toepasbaar zijn voor de drukbezette professional; 3. het verrijken van de opleidingen Verpleegkunde van deelnemende hogescholen Windesheim en Hanzehogeschool Groningen met modules en minoren waarin de verworven kennis en producten zijn geïntegreerd. De onderzoekers verzamelen data via diepte-interviews. Zij analyseren deze data met behulp van de affinity-diagrammingmethode. De resultaten van de analyses worden in workshops gedeeld met de GGZ-medewerkers en getoetst, om kennisuitwisseling en nadere vraagarticulatie te bevorderen. Beoogde resultaten De zorgverleners hebben behoefte aan praktische informatie en handvatten. De beoogde resultaten van het project zijn in eerste instantie een praktijkverhalenboek, video testimonials en checklists. Vervolgens kan daarop een e-learningmodule of MOOC en een serious game worden gebaseerd. Deze hulpmiddelen krijgen ook een plaats in het onderwijs van de verpleegkundeopleidingen van de deelnemende hogescholen.
Evaluating player game experiences through biometric measurementsThe BD4CG (Biometric Design for Casual Games project) worked in a highly interdisciplinary context with several international partners. The aim of our project was to popularize the biometric method, which is a neuro-scientific approach to evaluating the player experience. We specifically aimed at the casual games sector, where casual games can be defined as video or web-based games with simple and accessible game mechanics, non threatening themes and generally short play sessions. Popular examples of casual games are Angry Birds and FarmVille. We focussed on this sector because it is growing fast, but its methodologies have not grown with it yet. Especially the biometrics method has so far been almost exclusively used domain by the very large game developers (such as Valve and EA). The insights and scientific output of this project have been enthusiastically embraced by the international academic arena. The aim of the grant was to focus on game producers in the casual sector, and we have done so but we also established further contacts with the game sector in general. Thirty-one outputs were generated, in the form of presentations, workshops, and accepted papers in prominent academic and industry journals in the field of game studies and game user research. Partners: University of Antwerpen, RANJ, Forward Games, Double Jungle, Realgames, Dreams of Danu, Codemasters, Dezzel, Truimph Studios, Golabi Studios
