Visualload

Nowadays, computer games entertain millions of computer users. They support incredible 3D graphics that attract players. However, cinematic presentation in computer games is missing. There are technologies and rules for camerawork and lighting that are not exploited by game engines. In this paper, we demonstrate some problems that computer games suffer from, at the presentation level, and we examine a new research project, called ANSWER, as a potential solution to those problems. ANSWER attempts to cover the expressive needs of film directors and game animators, by providing a set of tools that will allow the description of a game or a film at the artistic level and during its production phase.

behavioristicscom, 2008

Game developers are beginning to apply formal humancomputer interaction (HCI) principles in game design. To aid in developing game-specific methodologies, one of the authors utilized a set of Heuristics for productivity software and adapted them to games. The resulting set was presented at CHI 2004 as Heuristics to Evaluate Playability (HEP). This recent follow-up study was designed to focus on Principles of Playability (PLAY) that can be applied earlier in the game development process, and reflects on our discussions with game developers from several studios. The goal was to create a framework of Principles that could be used to maximize game usability/playability. Fifty-four gamers rated High and Low-ranked games on 116 potential Principles. The ratings on forty-eight were found to differ significantly between High and Low-ranked games. Implications for how these Principles can help developers improve the quality of their games are discussed.

Visual design in games is a complex, but important, area of study, as it affects the player's experience. Previous games research applied knowledge in visual attention to understand visual designs, for instance through cues and lighting to influence players' behaviors and feelings. However, these approaches overlook how the visual design changes over time. In this paper, we focus on visual motion as an unexplored aspect of visual design, defined by a theory of visual perception as features associated with game elements. In particular, we consider the speed, size, and density of game elements in motion. Towards this goal, we developed a simple railed shooter game with a tool that allowed 8 expert game designers to manipulate perceptual features over time. Based on analysis of results collected through designers using this tool, as well as qualitative reviews, we present several perception-based design principles, stated as formulae of intended perceptual effects.

Amazonia Investiga, 2024

In video game development, the significance of graphic design cannot be overstated. This article explores the multifaceted contributions of graphic design to the gaming experience, emphasizing its impact on player immersion, narrative enhancement, and overall game success. Key areas of focus include visual concept creation, user interface design, in-game graphical elements, and branding and marketing materials. Through comprehensive analysis, this paper highlights the crucial role of graphic design in shaping the aesthetic appeal, functionality, and marketability of video games. Findings reveal that good graphic design is essential for player retention and engagement, with poor graphics often leading to negative experiences. The study also underscores the importance of concept and interface design in influencing purchasing decisions and enhancing visual and immersive quality. Additionally, brand identity and advertising are significant factors in a game's popularity and reach. The results emphasize the need for collaboration between graphic designers and game developers to create engaging and visually captivating gaming experiences, ensuring all elements—from characters and environments to user interfaces—work together for a seamless player experience.

Proceedings of the 14th International Academic MindTrek Conference on Envisioning Future Media Environments - MindTrek '10, 2010

What does it mean to appreciate gameplay? When we judge a game's gameplay, what are the elements or characteristics of gameplay that we should focus our attention on? We report on a study that analyzed the use of the term gameplay in hundreds of thousands of user-submitted game reviews on a popular online website. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques we identified and extracted the adjectives that modified "gameplay", and then clustered those adjectives based on the words (nouns, verbs and adjectives) which appeared in the surrounding contexts. Our analysis of the resulting clusters shows a surprising richness in the variety of words used to describe gameplay, but more importantly we identify a popular aesthetic of gameplay. The primary elements of gameplay aesthetics are pacing, complexity, cognitive accessibility, scope, demand, and impact. This aesthetic provides two things: empirical support for the importance and centrality of the concepts we've outlined towards understanding gameplay, and evidence of the differences in language for describing gameplay between players and designers/scholars.

2012

Abstract Using gameplay metrics to articulate player interaction within game systems has received increased interest in game studies. The value of gameplay metrics comes from a desire to empirically validate over a decade of theorization of player experience and knowledge of games as ludic systems.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting

The current study sought to investigate an empirical exploration of the flow engagement concept through videogame play between experts and novices. Eighty participants engaged in various levels of the videogame Super Mario Bros. Twenty experts and twenty novices experienced the easier level of World 1-2 while the other twenty experts and novices were exposed to the more difficult level World 6-1. After gameplay, participants completed a modified survey measuring flow. This survey, along with overall percentage game score, was analyzed. A significant interaction was found between game level (challenge level) and skill levels in perceived flow, with significant main effects for expertise in perceived skill, for game level (challenge level) in perceived challenge, and for game level (challenge level) in overall percentage score. These findings are relevant for understanding videogame flow in videogames of varying degrees of challenge and in players of different expertise levels. Discus...

Proceedings of the 15th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility - ASSETS '13, 2013

Motion-based video games can have a variety of benefits for the players and are increasingly applied in physical therapy, rehabilitation and prevention for older adults. However, little is known about how this audience experiences playing such games, how the player experience affects the way older adults interact with motion-based games, and how this can relate to therapy goals. In our work, we decompose the player experience of older adults engaging with motion-based games, focusing on the effects of manipulations of the game representation through the visual channel (visual complexity), since it is the primary interaction modality of most games and since vision impairments are common amongst older adults. We examine the effects of different levels of visual complexity on player experience, performance, and exertion in a study with fifteen participants. Our results show that visual complexity affects the way games are perceived in two ways: First, while older adults do have preferences in terms of visual complexity of video games, notable effects were only measurable following drastic variations. Second, perceived exertion shifts depending on the degree of visual complexity. These findings can help inform the design of motionbased games for therapy and rehabilitation for older adults.

2008

What makes a good game? Marketing wisdom indicates that the success or failure of a product depends mainly on how well it satisfies customers ’ preferences, needs and expectations. Consequently, knowing the player and his/her preferences is crucial to design successful digital games. Hence, the really important question is: what do players expect from a good game? When playing a game, players seek challenge, mastery and reward, all packed in entailing and motivating activities. From this stems the importance of gameplay as a crucial game design cornerstone, and game mechanics as tools that the player has to interact with in order to carry out gameplay activities. In this paper we analyze the relevance of gameplay and game mechanics from a playercentered perspective, and provide insights and guidelines to improve game design in order to sustain and enhance players ’ motivation through gameplay. Carlo Fabricatore is a computer scientist and game designer. He specializes in videogame d...

2011

Abstract Online multiplayer gaming has emerged as a popular form of entertainment. the course of a multiplayer game, playerinteractions may result in interesting emergent narratives that go unnoticed. Afterthought is a system that monitors player activity, recognizes instances of story elements in gameplay and renders cinematic highlights of the story-oriented game play, allowing players to view these emergent narratives after completing their gameplay session.