Evaluating user experience in games can be quite different from general use applications because games focus on developing an entertaining or fun environment for their players. General applications focus on creating an experience to improve user efficiency, or by developing an application that is “user-friendly” or easy-to-use. Games User Researchers have adapted traditional methods of usability evaluation to suit the context of play, such as heuristic evaluations and validity scales.

In the Player Experience and Analytics research theme you will invent and validate:

• New Algorithms

• Automated Approaches

• Metrics

• Techniques to Assess Player Experiences

This research area focuses on two main areas: 

1. Development of Novel Physiological Approaches: This allows for improvements such as continuous and objective assessments of player experience, development of sensing technologies, less intrusive methods, and model player experiences.

2. Development of Methods for Monitoring In-Game Behaviour: These methods will improve the practices of processing, modelling, and representing data, which will enable game user researchers to analyse larger amounts of user data.  

Now more than ever there has been experimentation and innovation with the input devices used in games. The devices we use to play games are more diverse than ever before as we try to increase player immersion within games. This can be seen by the development of different motion sensing devices like the Wiimote, Leap Motion and Microsoft connect, as well as Virtual Reality devices like the Oculus Rift. In addition, games developed for non-gaming environments, such as healthcare, military and manufacturing, provide a safe space to test out new techniques and train new employees or professionals. Novel input devices can have a great impact on these fields by allowing industry workers to simulate and practice their work in virtual environments. 

This research area focuses on:

• Inventing, developing and evaluating novel input devices

• Advancing physical interaction with games (i.e. digital touch and tabletop)

• Improving 3D, virtual, and augmented reality interfaces

• Pushing the boundaries of physiological input for games

• Investigate new forms of interaction 

It is clear that people are highly motivated to play games, with many voluntarily playing games for long stretches of time. Gamification is not a game in itself, but take elements of games and uses them in non-game contexts. Serious games, on the other hand, take a serious topic and turn it into a game. Gamification is often applied with the intention of increasing user engagement or motivation to complete a non-game activity. This can be applied in a variety of different contexts to improve user motivation such as physical activity, workplace productivity, education and sustainability. This research theme will investigate elements of gamification that can be used to improve user motivation to play serious and persuasive games.

This research area focuses on:

• Investigating gamification elements that motivate players

• Establishing innovative gamification platforms

• Developing technology to deliver gamified products to market

Games help support relationships and social interaction by allowing us to relate to one another and create shared experiences. These interactions allow us to develop or strengthen bonds with others, as well as giving us an outlet to stay connected with one another (even across large distances). For instance, games provide an opportunity for childhood friends to stay connected through online games or for grandparents to relate to their grandchildren over a game of cards. However, this does not mean using games to foster social interaction doesn’t come with its own challenges. Multiplayer digital games are often designed for a certain skill level and are not balanced to accommodate a variety of players skills. This means a game could be too challenging for one player and two easy for another, causing all players to be unsatisfied with the gameplay. There are some balancing techniques that try to combat these issues, but they are not complete solutions, and may fail depending on how large the gap is between players’ skill level and interest.

This research area focuses on:

• Connecting people through social play 

• Inventing and evaluating new algorithms and mechanics 

• Bridging people’s skill levels, abilities and interests

• Enabling people to play digital games together

• Aiding people in receiving the benefits of social play

• Helping game designers reach new markets and broader populations

• Developing more social and inclusive games