Lecture 15 - Emotions and Games Flashcards
Explain the rules and mechanics of games
Mechanics describe a particular component of the game, at the level of data representations and algorithms
Explain the system / dynamics
Dynamics describes the run-time behavior of the mechanics acting on the players inputs and each others’ outputs over time
Player tactics, working together to make a win all, within the rule set
Explain the presentation / aesthetics
Aesthetics describes the emotional responses evoked in the player, when she interacts with the game system
You have games as a social framework, drama, sense-pleasure, make-believe, etc
Understand the players’ emotions is useful, in order to:
Generate ideas Inform design Facilitate communication Track progress in development Enable claim validation Allow real-time game adaptation
From a scientists point of view, studying player emotions in games is useful, because:
games allow for controlled emotion elicitation
games are engaging learning environments
games are laboratories of optimal experience
games allow tracking and analysis of a rich variety of behavior and social interaction data
games naturally attract a large sample
games are relatively forgiving platforms
Emotion is a key factor in both play and work, because:
mediates motivation
influences memory and learning
key role in decision making and problem solving
central factor in engagement
A game is … (definition)
A rule based formal system
with variable and quantifiable outcomes
where different outcomes are assigned different values
where the player exerts effort in order to influence the outcome
the player feels emotionally attached to the outcome
and the consequences of the activity are optional and negotiable
Name some trends in gaming
- demographics (more girls, women, adults, and elderly)
- mobile and casual games (like wordfeud)
- serious games (used for education training, therapy, social change, more …)
- more e-sports
- new interfaces (more embodied, embedded, immersive, adaptive, …)
adaptive games: the ACE framework
A ssistance - optimise interactive learning experiences
C hallenges - create more challenging and fun games
E motions - provoke emotional experiences
What is affective gaming?
Affective gaming is concerned with the application of affective computing techniques to the domain of the player.
Affective gaming involves both the evocation of emotions, as well as the detection of player emotion
Advantages of facial expressions
cheap sensors universal already commercially available fast related to valence
Disadvantages of facial expressions
privacy sensitive
obstrusive and immobile
strong influence of lighting, facewear, angle, skin color
How can you measure embodied responses?
interest = approach, forward leaning posture
negative affect = indicated by collapsed upper body, shifting
tension = higher pressure on interface devices
immersion = synchronous swaying, asynchronous movement
flow = unclear, potentially gaze direction and time on display with lack of outward looking
Advantages of speech
Useful for communication
cheap sensor
mostly related to arousal
Disadvantages of speech
Often unavailable
privacy sensitive
