246,220 research outputs found
New Deterministic Algorithms for Solving Parity Games
We study parity games in which one of the two players controls only a small
number of nodes and the other player controls the other nodes of the
game. Our main result is a fixed-parameter algorithm that solves bipartite
parity games in time , and general parity games in
time , where is the number of distinct
priorities and is the number of edges. For all games with this
improves the previously fastest algorithm by Jurdzi{\'n}ski, Paterson, and
Zwick (SICOMP 2008). We also obtain novel kernelization results and an improved
deterministic algorithm for graphs with small average degree
SimDialog: A visual game dialog editor
SimDialog is a visual editor for dialog in computer games. This paper
presents the design of SimDialog, illustrating how script writers and
non-programmers can easily create dialog for video games with complex branching
structures and dynamic response characteristics. The system creates dialog as a
directed graph. This allows for play using the dialog with a state-based cause
and effect system that controls selection of non-player character responses and
can provide a basic scoring mechanism for games
The value of Repeated Games with an informed controller
We consider the general model of zero-sum repeated games (or stochastic games
with signals), and assume that one of the players is fully informed and
controls the transitions of the state variable. We prove the existence of the
uniform value, generalizing several results of the literature. A preliminary
existence result is obtained for a certain class of stochastic games played
with pure strategies
Is movement better? Comparing sedentary and motion-based game controls for older adults
Providing cognitive and physical stimulation for older adults is critical for their well-being. Video games offer the opportunity of engaging seniors, and research has shown a variety of positive effects of motion-based video games for older adults. However, little is known about the suitability of motion-based game controls for older adults and how their use is affected by age-related changes. In this paper, we present a study evaluating sedentary and motion-based game controls with a focus on differences between younger and older adults. Our results show that older adults can apply motion-based game controls efficiently, and that they enjoy motion-based interaction. We present design implications based on our study, and demonstrate how our findings can be applied both to motion-based game design and to general interaction design for older adults. Copyright held by authors
Full-body motion-based game interaction for older adults
Older adults in nursing homes often lead sedentary lifestyles, which reduces their life expectancy. Full-body motion-control games provide an opportunity for these adults to remain active and engaged; these games are not designed with age-related impairments in mind, which prevents the games from being leveraged to increase the activity levels of older adults. In this paper, we present two studies aimed at developing game design guidelines for full-body motion controls for older adults experiencing age-related changes and impairments. Our studies also demonstrate how full-body motion-control games can accommodate a variety of user abilities, have a positive effect on mood and, by extension, the emotional well-being of older adults. Based on our studies, we present seven guidelines for the design of full-body interaction in games. The guidelines are designed to foster safe physical activity among older adults, thereby increasing their quality of life. Copyright 2012 ACM
Designing wheelchair-based movement games
People using wheelchairs have access to fewer sports and other physically stimulating leisure activities than nondisabled persons, and often lead sedentary lifestyles that negatively influence their health. While motion- based video games have demonstrated great potential of encouraging physical activity among nondisabled players, the accessibility of motion-based games is limited for persons with mobility disabilities, thus also limiting access to the potential health benefits of playing these games. In our work, we address this issue through the design of wheelchair-accessible motion-based game controls. We present KINECTWheels, a toolkit designed to integrate wheelchair movements into motion-based games. Building on the toolkit, we developed Cupcake Heaven, a wheelchair-based video game designed for older adults using wheelchairs, and we created Wheelchair Revolution, a motion-based dance game that is accessible to both persons using wheelchairs and nondisabled players. Evaluation results show that KINECTWheels can be applied to make motion-based games wheelchair-accessible, and that wheelchair-based games engage broad audiences in physically stimulating play. Through the application of the wheelchair as an enabling technology in games, our work has the potential of encouraging players of all ages to develop a positive relationship with their wheelchair
Singular mean-field control games with applications to optimal harvesting and investment problems
This paper studies singular mean field control problems and singular mean
field stochastic differential games. Both sufficient and necessary conditions
for the optimal controls and for the Nash equilibrium are obtained. Under some
assumptions the optimality conditions for singular mean-field control are
reduced to a reflected Skorohod problem, whose solution is proved to exist
uniquely. Applications are given to optimal harvesting of stochastic mean-field
systems, optimal irreversible investments under uncertainty and to mean-field
singular investment games. In particular, a simple singular mean-field
investment game is studied where the Nash equilibrium exists but is not unique
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