On the core elements of the experience of playing video games

This dissertation presents a multi-method approach to study the user experience of playing video games. The motivation is to devise an objective assessment of the concept of user experience. It is proposed that user experience is better understood when it is studied as a two fold phenomenon formed by a process and an outcome. This definition allows the combination of the subjective nature of experience together with the objectivity needed to propose an objective assessment of experience. An experience is personal in the achieved outcome, during the process of forming it there are elements specific to the type of experience common to all individuals. The thesis presents a series of studies to explore and understand the gaming experience as well as to identify the procedural elements of the experience. The outcome of the studies was the formulation of the theoretical framework that we called Core Elements of the Gaming Experience (CEGE), which focuses on the process of the experience. The metaphor of ”puppetry” is used to provide a link to the outcome of the experience. Based on the theorical framework, a questionnaire and model were developed. The model was validated using Structural Equation Modelling, which provided an adequate fit suggesting that the CEGE model is an accurate abstraction of the process of the gaming experience. Lastly, the framework was used to study different gaming experiences under different conditions. The results suggest that the CEGE theoretical framework can be used to assess this type of experience. The contributions of this dissertation are: the methodological approach used to study the user experience of playing video games, a novel approach to understand user experience as a falsifiable concept, a theoretical framework and metaphor to describe the gaming experience, a model that describes the gaming experience, and an instrument that can be used to assess and explore different gaming experiences

Assessing the gaming experience using puppetry

In this paper we address the question: What factors of game experience are measured and have to be measured? by proposing a concept called Puppetry to assess the experience while playing videogames. Puppetry was obtained using qualitative methods on the experiences of players. The main characteristic of Puppetry is that it looks at the common elements of videogames that allow the user to build the experience

Training Competences in Industrial Risk Prevention with Lego (R) Serious Play (R): A Case Study

This paper proposes the use of the Lego (R) Serious Play (R) (LSP) methodology as a facilitating tool for the introduction of competences for Industrial Risk Prevention by engineering students from the industrial branch (electrical, electronic, mechanical and technological engineering), presenting the results obtained in the Universities of Cadiz and Seville in the academic years 2017-2019. Current Spanish legislation does not reserve any special legal attribution, nor does it require specific competence in occupational risk prevention for the regulated profession of a technical industrial engineer (Order CIN 351:2009), and only does so in a generic way for that of an industrial engineer (Order CIN 311:2009). However, these universities consider the training in occupational health and safety for these future graduates as an essential objective in order to develop them for their careers in the industry. The approach is based on a series of challenges proposed (risk assessments, safety inspections, accident investigations and fire protection measures, among others), thanks to the use of "gamification" dynamics with Lego (R) Serious Play (R). In order to carry the training out, a set of specific variables (industrial sector, legal and regulatory framework, business organization and production system), and transversal ones (leadership, teamwork, critical thinking and communication), are incorporated. Through group models, it is possible to identify dangerous situations, establish causes, share and discuss alternative proposals and analyze the economic, environmental and organizational impact of the technical solutions studied, as well as take the appropriate decisions, in a creative, stimulating, inclusive and innovative context. In this way, the theoretical knowledge which is acquired is applied to improve safety and health at work and foster the prevention of occupational risks, promoting the commitment, effort, motivation and proactive participation of the student teams

The Values of Tangible User Interfaces: How to discover, assess and evaluate them?

Since the introduction of Tangible User Interfaces, in the beginning of the 90s, a generation grew up interacting with computers. At the same time the context of computing changed dramatically: from a device used almost exclusively by specialists, it evolved to a general device that plays a dominant role in our societies. But where does this leave TUI? In many respects, the idea of tangibility plays a marginal role in Human Computer Interaction. It makes sense to re-evaluate the intrinsic values of TUI design. This paper proposes to research the appropriate metrics to do so

Verifying Clock Schedules In The Presence of Cross Talk

This paper addresses verifying the timing of circuits containing level-sensitive latches in the presence of cross talk. We show that three consecutive periodic occurrences of the aggressor's input switching window must be compared with the victim's input switching window. We propose a new phase shift operator to allow aligning the aggressor's three relevant switching windows with the victim's input signals. We solve the problem iteratively in polynomial time, and show an upper bound on the number of iterations equal to the number of capacitors in the circuit. Our experiments demonstrate that eliminating false coupling results in finding a smaller clock period at which a circuit will run

The TAC paradigm: specifying tangible user interfaces

This paper introduces a paradigm for describing and specifying Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs). The proposed TAC (Token and Constraints) paradigm captures the core components of TUIs while addressing many of the conceptual challenges unique to building these interfaces. The paradigm enables the description of a broad range of TUIs by providing a common set of constructs. Thus, the TAC Paradigm lays the foundation for a high level description language and a software toolkit for TUIs. We evaluate the proposed paradigm by testing its ability to specify a wide variety of existing TUIs

Introducing tangible objects into motion controlled gameplay using Microsoft® Kinect TM

Improvements in ways of game controlling in recent years yielded higher level of interaction. Release of motion controller devices changed conventional ways of controlling games that have been used so far. Microsoft ®; Kinect™ (Microsoft Corporation, WA, USA) recognizes motions of the players as game controlling inputs. Although touchless interaction is perceived to be attractive, games mimicking real life activities may benefit from hand‐held tangible objects for the player to get more involved into game. In this study, a tangible gameplay interaction method is developed using Microsoft ®; Kinect™ that senses hand‐held objects with their dimensions and incorporates them into gameplay. Proposed algorithm is implemented on an experimental game, and a user study is performed to measure effects of tangible interaction on Kinect gameplay experience. Results revealed that an improved gameplay with more natural and accurate motion controlling is achieved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd