DOCSLIB.ORG

Cognitive Abilities of Action Video Game and Role-Playing Video Game Players: Data from a Massive Open Online Course

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cognitive Abilities of Action Video Game and Role-Playing Video Game Players: Data from a Massive Open Online Course Psychology of Popular Media Culture Cognitive Abilities of Action Video Game and Role- Playing Video Game Players: Data From a Massive Open Online Course Gillian Dale, Florian Kattner, Daphne Bavelier, and C. Shawn Green Online First Publication, May 2, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000237 CITATION Dale, G., Kattner, F., Bavelier, D., & Green, C. S. (2019, May 2). Cognitive Abilities of Action Video Game and Role-Playing Video Game Players: Data From a Massive Open Online Course. Psychology of Popular Media Culture. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000237 Psychology of Popular Media Culture © 2019 American Psychological Association 2019, Vol. 2, No. 999, 000 2160-4134/19/$12.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000237 Cognitive Abilities of Action Video Game and Role-Playing Video Game Players: Data From a Massive Open Online Course Gillian Dale Florian Kattner University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison and Technische Universität Darmstadt Daphne Bavelier C. Shawn Green University of Geneva University of Wisconsin-Madison Numerous studies have demonstrated that regularly playing action video games (AVGPs) is associated with increased cognitive performance. Individuals who play role-playing video games (RPGs) have usually been excluded from these studies. This is because RPGs traditionally contained no action components and were thus not expected to influence cognitive performance. However, modern RPGs increasingly include numerous action-like components. We therefore examined whether current RPG players (RPGPs) perform similar to action video game players (AVGPs) or nonvideo game players (NVGPs) on two cognitive tasks. Self-identified AVGPs (N ϭ 76), NVGPs (N ϭ 77), and RPGPs (N ϭ 23) completed two online cognitive tasks: A useful field of view (UFOV) task and a multiple-object tracking task (MOT). The UFOV task measures the ability to deploy visuospatial attention over a large field of view while dividing one’s attention between a central and a peripheral task. The MOT task measures the ability to use attentional control to dynamically refresh information in working memory. RPGPs performed similar to AVGPs and better than NVGPs on both tasks. However, patterns of covariation (e.g., gender and age) presented obstacles to interpretation in some cases. Our study is the first to demonstrate that RPGPs show similar cognitive performance to AVGPs. These findings suggest that regularly playing modern RPGs may enhance visuospatial abilities. However, because the current study was purely cross-sectional, intervention studies will be needed to assess causation. We discuss the implications of this finding, as well as considerations for how gamers are classified going forward. Public Policy Relevance Statement We investigate whether individuals who play action video games that are mostly first- or third-person shooter games, as well as individuals who play action role-playing games, differ in their cognitive abilities as compared with nonvideo game players. We demonstrate that both action and role-playing gamers outperform nongamers on two attentionally demanding tasks and perform similarly to each other, suggesting that games other than those traditionally placed in the “action” genre may be beneficial for cognitive performance. Keywords: action video games, real-time strategy video games, role-playing video games, useful field of view, multiple object tracking This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers. This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual userThe and is not to be disseminated broadly. vast majority of commercial video games, from the very characteristics of many video games made them potentially pow- earliest examples of the medium, have primarily been designed erful tools to produce meaningful changes in perceptual, atten- with entertainment-based goals in mind—that is, to be fun and tional, and/or motor functions. Seminal work by Griffith and enjoyable to play. However, psychologists quickly realized that the colleagues in the early 1980s first put forth the argument that video Office of Naval Research Award—N000141712049 to C. Shawn Green. Gillian Dale, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Mad- Daphne Bavelier is a Scientific Advisor and owns founder shares for Akili ison; Florian Kattner, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin- Interactive Inc. Madison, and Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Darm- Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Gil- stadt; Daphne Bavelier, Department of Psychology, University of Geneva; lian Dale, who is now at Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, C. Shawn Green, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin- Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, Madison. Canada L2S 3A1. E-mail: [email protected] 1 2 DALE, KATTNER, BAVELIER, AND GREEN games are more than simply mindless entertainment (Griffith, through the character’s eyes; third-person shooter ϭ looking at the Voloschin, Gibb, & Bailey, 1983). Instead, it was hypothesized back and/or top of the character). that certain features inherent to video games could make them Given the demanding nature of these games, Green and Bavelier excellent activities for developing both visuomotor and cognitive (2003) hypothesized that regular players of action games would skills. This same theme was continued in the 1990s by Greenfield show enhanced performance in certain perceptual and cognitive and colleagues, as well as a host of other labs. Over this period a functions as compared with individuals who did not regularly play great deal of empirical evidence accrued showing the capacity of games from the action genre (i.e., that there would be a video games to alter functions as varied as divided attention, correlational/cross-sectional effect of action game experience). mental rotation, speed of processing, hand–eye coordination, and Furthermore, they proposed that specifically training individuals spatial attention (Dorval & Pépin, 1986; Gagnon, 1985; Green- who did not normally play video games by having them play field, Brannon, & Lohr, 1994; Greenfield, DeWinstanley, Kilpat- action games for many hours over the course of several weeks rick, & Kaye, 1994; Okagaki & Frensch, 1994; Subrahmanyam & would result in increased performance as compared with individ- Greenfield, 1994). uals who were trained for the same period of time on a nonaction Notably, the abovementioned work tended to either examine the video game. In other words, it was hypothesized that a causal link impact of specific individual games (i.e., to look at the effects of could be drawn between the act of playing action video games and training on one specific game) or else consider all games together augmented perceptual/attention/cognitive performance. Consistent (i.e., to use the total amount of video gaming as the measure of with these hypotheses, Green and Bavelier (2003) demonstrated interest). However, as the video game industry developed and that action video game players (AVGPs) performed better than grew through the late 1990s, a number of reasonably distinct video nonvideo game players (NVGPs) on the useful field of view game genres, or categories, emerged. Games belonging to a given (UFOV) task, the attentional blink task, and a visual enumeration genre were linked by a number of commonalities inherent in task. These tasks measure the deployment of visuospatial attention their gameplay. For instance, individual games belonging to the under divided attention, the temporal characteristics of attention turn-based strategy game (TBS) genre differed from one another in allocation, and short-term memory capacity, respectively (Green & myriad ways, but they nonetheless tended to share a number of Bavelier, 2003). The same basic effects were then found in a true experiment in which NVGP individuals trained on an action video critical features. In this case, those characteristics are given by the game showed significantly larger improvements in performance on name. TBS games are those that are focused on strategy. They the abovementioned tasks after training as compared with NVGP involve careful consideration/decision-making in a well-defined individuals trained on a nonaction video game (Green & Bavelier, tree-structure environment, where each decision opens up new 2003). Since then, researchers from many different groups world- possibilities for both the player and their opponents to consider. wide have observed results in the same direction utilizing both They are also turn based. In other words, players take turns making cross-sectional and true experiment designs on a variety of tasks moves, with each move being fully executed before the opposing including (but not limited to) multiple-object tracking (Boot, player(s) can make a move in response. Kramer, Simons, Fabiani, & Gratton, 2008; Green & Bavelier, The development of such genres allowed for a methodological 2006; Sungur & Boduroglu, 2012; Trick, Jaspers-Fayer, & Sethi, approach that lies between examining the impact of an individual 2005), visual search (Castel, Pratt, & Drummond, 2005; Hubert- game and considering all games together. Because games in a Wallander, Green, Sugarman, & Bavelier, 2011; Wu & Spence, genre, by definition, share a set of critical characteristics, research- 2013), oculomotor capture (Chisholm, Hickey, Theeuwes, & ers could examine the impact of specific genres of video games.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MARIO PARTY DS Panel on the Nintendo DS Menu Screen, Or Press the a Button, and the Game Will Start with the Title Screen Displayed
    NTR-A8TP-UKV INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION BOOKLETBOOKLET (CONTAINS(CONTAINS IMPORTANTIMPORTANT HEALTHHEALTH ANDAND SAFETYSAFETY INFORMATION)INFORMATION) [0610/UKV/NTR] WIRELESS DS SINGLE-CARD DOWNLOAD PLAY THIS GAME ALLOWS WIRELESS MULTIPLAYER GAMES DOWNLOADED FROM ONE GAME CARD. This seal is your assurance that Nintendo 2–4 has reviewed this product and that it has met our standards for excellence This product uses the LC Font by Sharp Corporation. LCFONT, LC Font and the LC logo mark in workmanship, reliability and are trademarks of Sharp Corporation. entertainment value. Always look for this seal when buying games and accessories to ensure complete com- patibility with your Nintendo Product. Thank you for selecting the MARIO PARTY™ DS Game Card for Nintendo DS™ systems. IMPORTANT: Please carefully read the important health and safety information included in this booklet before using your Nintendo DS system, Game Card, Game Pak or accessory. Please read this Instruction Booklet thoroughly to ensure maximum enjoyment of your new game. Important warranty and hotline information can be found in the separate Age Rating, Software Warranty and Contact Information Leaflet. Always save these documents for future reference. This Game Card will work only with Nintendo DS systems. IMPORTANT: The use of an unlawful device with your Nintendo DS system may render this game unplayable. © 2007 NINTENDO. © 2007 HUDSON SOFT. TM, ® AND THE NINTENDO DS LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO. © 2007 NINTENDO. Contents Story 5 Characters 6 Basic Touch Screen Operation 8 Getting Started 9 Controls 12 Game Modes 14 Understanding the Display 15 How the Game Works 16 Story Mode (1 Player) 23 Party Mode (1 – 4 Players) 24 The Party Boards 27 Minigame Mode (1– 4 Players) 30 Puzzle Mode (1– 2 Players) 35 Multiplayer (2 – 4 Players) 36 Gallery 40 Minigame Lists 42 4 Story It all happened late one night..
    [Show full text]
  • Rogue-Gym: a New Challenge for Generalization in Reinforcement Learning
    Rogue-Gym: A New Challenge for Generalization in Reinforcement Learning Yuji Kanagawa Tomoyuki Kaneko Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies The University of Tokyo The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, Japan [email protected] [email protected] Abstract—In this paper, we propose Rogue-Gym, a simple and or designated areas but need to perform safely in real world classic style roguelike game built for evaluating generalization in situations that are similar to but different from their training reinforcement learning (RL). Combined with the recent progress environments. For agents to act appropriately in unknown of deep neural networks, RL has successfully trained human- level agents without human knowledge in many games such as situations, they need to properly generalize their policies that those for Atari 2600. However, it has been pointed out that agents they learned from the training environment. Generalization is trained with RL methods often overfit the training environment, also important in transfer learning, where the goal is to transfer and they work poorly in slightly different environments. To inves- a policy learned in a training environment to another similar tigate this problem, some research environments with procedural environment, called the target environment. We can use this content generation have been proposed. Following these studies, we propose the use of roguelikes as a benchmark for evaluating method to reduce the training time in many applications of the generalization ability of RL agents. In our Rogue-Gym, RL. For example, we can imagine a situation in which we agents need to explore dungeons that are structured differently train an enemy in an action game through experience across each time they start a new game.
    [Show full text]
  • First Person Shooting (FPS) Game
    International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 05 Issue: 04 | Apr-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 Thunder Force - First Person Shooting (FPS) Game Swati Nadkarni1, Panjab Mane2, Prathamesh Raikar3, Saurabh Sawant4, Prasad Sawant5, Nitesh Kuwalekar6 1 Head of Department, Department of Information Technology, Shah & Anchor Kutchhi Engineering College 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Information Technology, Shah & Anchor Kutchhi Engineering College 3,4,5,6 B.E. student, Department of Information Technology, Shah & Anchor Kutchhi Engineering College ----------------------------------------------------------------***----------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract— It has been found in researches that there is an have challenged hardware development, and multiplayer association between playing first-person shooter video games gaming has been integral. First-person shooters are a type of and having superior mental flexibility. It was found that three-dimensional shooter game featuring a first-person people playing such games require a significantly shorter point of view with which the player sees the action through reaction time for switching between complex tasks, mainly the eyes of the player character. They are unlike third- because when playing fps games they require to rapidly react person shooters in which the player can see (usually from to fast moving visuals by developing a more responsive mind behind) the character they are controlling. The primary set and to shift back and forth between different sub-duties. design element is combat, mainly involving firearms. First person-shooter games are also of ten categorized as being The successful design of the FPS game with correct distinct from light gun shooters, a similar genre with a first- direction, attractive graphics and models will give the best person perspective which uses light gun peripherals, in experience to play the game.
    [Show full text]
  • TI￡ﾹﾬAL ￢ﾀﾓ Asynchronous Multiplayer Shooter With
    Entertainment Computing 16 (2016) 81–93 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Entertainment Computing journal homepage: ees.elsevier.com/entcom TIṬAL – Asynchronous multiplayer shooter with procedurally generated maps q,qq ⇑ Bhojan Anand , Wong Hong Wei School of Computing, National University of Singapore, Singapore article info abstract Article history: Would it be possible to bring the promise of unlimited re-playability typically reserved for Roguelike Received 1 March 2015 games to competitive multiplayer shooters? This paper tries to address this issue by proposing a novel Revised 21 January 2016 method to dynamically generate maps at run-time almost as soon as players press the Play button, while Accepted 19 February 2016 ensuring the features what players would expect from the genre. The procedures are simple and practi- Available online 7 March 2016 cally feasible to be employed in actual computer games. In addition, the work experiments the possibility of incorporating asynchronous game-play element into a multiplayer shooter with human imitating bots Keywords: where the players can let their bot/avatar replace them when they are not around. The algorithms are Game implemented and evaluated with a playable game. The evaluations prove that playable 3D dynamic maps TIṬAL Prodecural content generation can be generated in order of seconds using game context data to initialise the parameters of the algo- Game map generation rithm. The paper also shows that asynchronous game-play element is a possible feature for consideration Bots in next generation multiplayer shooters. Artificial intelligence Ó 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction 1.1. Procedural content generation This paper demonstrates a novel method for procedurally gen- Procedural Content Generation (PCG) is the use of algorithmic erating dynamic maps at run-time at the click of the ‘Play’ button means to create content [2,3] dynamically during run-time.
    [Show full text]
  • DESIGN-DRIVEN APPROACHES TOWARD MORE EXPRESSIVE STORYGAMES a Dissertation Submitted in Partial Satisfaction of the Requirements for the Degree Of
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ CHANGEFUL TALES: DESIGN-DRIVEN APPROACHES TOWARD MORE EXPRESSIVE STORYGAMES A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in COMPUTER SCIENCE by Aaron A. Reed June 2017 The Dissertation of Aaron A. Reed is approved: Noah Wardrip-Fruin, Chair Michael Mateas Michael Chemers Dean Tyrus Miller Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Copyright c by Aaron A. Reed 2017 Table of Contents List of Figures viii List of Tables xii Abstract xiii Acknowledgments xv Introduction 1 1 Framework 15 1.1 Vocabulary . 15 1.1.1 Foundational terms . 15 1.1.2 Storygames . 18 1.1.2.1 Adventure as prototypical storygame . 19 1.1.2.2 What Isn't a Storygame? . 21 1.1.3 Expressive Input . 24 1.1.4 Why Fiction? . 27 1.2 A Framework for Storygame Discussion . 30 1.2.1 The Slipperiness of Genre . 30 1.2.2 Inputs, Events, and Actions . 31 1.2.3 Mechanics and Dynamics . 32 1.2.4 Operational Logics . 33 1.2.5 Narrative Mechanics . 34 1.2.6 Narrative Logics . 36 1.2.7 The Choice Graph: A Standard Narrative Logic . 38 2 The Adventure Game: An Existing Storygame Mode 44 2.1 Definition . 46 2.2 Eureka Stories . 56 2.3 The Adventure Triangle and its Flaws . 60 2.3.1 Instability . 65 iii 2.4 Blue Lacuna ................................. 66 2.5 Three Design Solutions . 69 2.5.1 The Witness ............................. 70 2.5.2 Firewatch ............................... 78 2.5.3 Her Story ............................... 86 2.6 A Technological Fix? .
    [Show full text]
  • Action Video-Game Training and Its Effects on Perception and Attentional Control
    Action Video-Game Training and Its Effects on Perception and Attentional Control C. Shawn Green , Thomas Gorman , and Daphne Bavelier Introduction Over the past 40 years, video game play has grown from a niche activity into a pervasive and abundant part of modern life. Over half of the United States popula- tion now plays video games, with over 130 million of these individuals being con- sidered “regular” video game players (i.e., playing more than 3 h of video games per week—ESA 2015 ). And although video games were originally, and for the most part continue to be, an entertainment medium, there has nonetheless been signifi - cant scientifi c interest in the possibility that video gaming may have signifi cant effects on the human brain and human behavior . While much of this research has focused on potential negative outcomes (e.g., effects related to aggression or addic- tion—Anderson et al. 2010 ), there exists a growing body of research outlining posi- tive effects of video game play as well. This chapter will specifi cally focus on the positive impact that playing one particular type of video game, known as “action video games,” has on perceptual and attentional skills. The “ Curse of Specifi city” Before discussing the various effects associated with action video game play, it is worth considering why it is interesting in the fi rst place that something like video game play could alter core perceptual or attentional abilities. Indeed, one’s fi rst C. S. Green (*) • T. Gorman Department of Psychology , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , WI , USA e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] D.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Game of Majapahit Kingdom Based on Tactical Role-Playing Game
    Historical Game of Majapahit Kingdom based on Tactical Role-playing Game Mohammad Fadly Syahputra, Muhammad Kurniawan Widhianto and Romi Fadillah Rahmat Department Information Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia Keywords: Cut-out Animation, History, Majapahit, Role-playing Game, Tactical Role-playing Game, Turn based Strategy, Video Game. Abstract: Majapahit was a kingdom centered in East Java, which once stood around year 1293 to 1500 C. Majapahit kingdom was the last Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that controlled Nusantara and is regarded as one of the greatest kingdom in Indonesia. The lack of modern entertainment content about the history of Majapahit kingdom made historical subject become less attractive. Therefore, we need a modern entertainment as one option to learn about the fascinating history of the kingdom of Majapahit. In this study the authors designed a video game about history of Majapahit kingdom with the genre of tactical role-playing game. Tactical role-playing game is a sub genre of role playing game by using system of turn-based strategy in every battle. In tactical role-playing game, players will take turns with the opponent and can only take action in their turn and each character will have an attribute and level as in role-playing game video game. This study used the A* algorithm to determine the movement direction of the unit and cut-out techniques in the making of animation. This study demonstrated that video games can be used as a media to learn about history. 1 INTRODUCTION only used as an entertainment, but also can be used as a story telling, and sometimes game also can be mixed Majapahit was a kingdom centered in East Java, with educational elements to train someone.
    [Show full text]
  • Game 232 001
    Online & Mobile Gaming GAME232 Fall 2016 TR 9:00–10:15 am (001) 10:30–11:45 am (002) AB1018 Instructor: Prof. Sang Nam Associate Director, Computer Game Design Email: [email protected] Office: A&D Building 2025 Phone: 703-993-3163/office Twitter: twitter.com/sangumc Office Hours*: TR 11:45 am – 1:30 pm * Other times by appointment. The best way to reach me is via email. MASON MISSION STATEMENT Mission-Who we are and why we do what we do A public, comprehensive research university established by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the National Capital Region, we are an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. MASON GAME DESIGN MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of the Computer Game Design Program at George Mason University is to prepare students for employment and further study in the computer game design and development field, doing so with a curriculum designed to reflect the gaming industry’s demand for an academically rigorous technical program coupled with an understanding of the artistic and creative elements of the evolving field of study. CATALOG DESCRIPTION Class covers the history, practice, and design of online and mobile games. Class will discuss the current state of the smartphone applications, and study the best practices to be successful in the applications market. Students will learn the development process for smartphone applications and develop original and innovative applications in a team-based environment. COURSE OVERVIEW In this course, you will explore the ever-expanding world of mobile, pervasive, and “big” games.
    [Show full text]
  • Application of Retrograde Analysis on Fighting Games
    Application of Retrograde Analysis on Fighting Games Kristen Yu Nathan R. Sturtevant Computer Science Department Computer Science Department University of Denver University of Alberta Denver, USA Edmonton, Canada [email protected] [email protected] Abstract—With the advent of the fighting game AI competition, optimal AI. This work opens the door for deeper study of there has been recent interest in two-player fighting games. both optimal and suboptimal play, as well as options related Monte-Carlo Tree-Search approaches currently dominate the to game design, where the impact of design choices in a game competition, but it is unclear if this is the best approach for all fighting games. In this paper we study the design of two- can be studied. player fighting games and the consequences of the game design on the types of AI that should be used for playing the game, as II.R ELATED WORK well as formally define the state space that fighting games are A variety of approaches have been used for fighting game AI based on. Additionally, we also characterize how AI can solve the in both industry and academia. One approach in industry has game given a simultaneous action game model, to understand the characteristics of the solved AI and the impact it has on game game AI being built using N-grams as a prediction algorithm design. to help the AI become better at playing the game [30]. Another common technique is using decision trees to model I.I NTRODUCTION AI behavior [30]. This creates a rule set with which an agent can react to decisions that a player makes.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Computer Role-Playing Games
    Understanding Computer Role-Playing Games A Genre Analysis Based on Gameplay Features in Combat Systems Christopher Dristig Stenström1 Staffan Björk2,3 1Chalmers University of Technology 2Gothenburg University 3The Interactive Institute Department of of Applied IT Department of Applied IT Lindholmsplatsen 1 412 96 Gotheburg SWEDEN 412 96 Gothenburg SWEDEN 417 56 Göteborg +46 (0)31-7721039 +46 (0)31-7721039 +46 (0)702-889759 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT viewed as a vital part – if not the core gameplay – of the role- A game genre as diverse as that of computer role-playing games playing genre. This is a stance differing from for example that of is difficult to overview. This poses challenges or both developers Wolf [32] which uses an inclusive strategy to compile genres and researchers to position their work clearly within the genre. within video games. However, that approach leaves the We present an overview of the genre based on clustering games motivation for specific subgenres difficult to understand from a with similar gameplay features. This allows a tracing of relations structural perspective and does not clearly show any potential between subgenres through their gameplay, and connecting this to relation between the subgenres. While limiting the perspective, concrete game examples. The analysis was done through using the choice of basing a subgenre specification on the gameplay gameplay design patterns to identify gameplay features and related to combat offers to present a subgenre classification focused upon the combat systems in the games. The resulting scheme with internal relations and a common method for cluster structure makes use of 321 patterns to create 37 different selection.
    [Show full text]
  • Platform for Educational Games Generation
    FACULDADE DE ENGENHARIA DA UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO Platform for Educational Games Generation André Gomes Barbosa Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Informática e Computação Supervisor: Ana Cristina Ramada Paiva September 15, 2015 © André Gomes Barbosa, 2015 Platform for Educational Games Generation André Gomes Barbosa Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Informática e Computação Approved in Public Examination by the Jury: President: João Carlos Pascoal Faria External examiner: João Miguel Fernandes Supervisor: Ana Cristina Ramada Paiva ____________________________________________________ September 15, 2015 Abstract The development of games for education is a growing area of research. Over the past few years, studies point out that the use of games as a supplement to traditional learning can be much more efficient and motivational than just using the traditional teaching method. These are called serious games. This work aims to improve a previous game developed to learn software testing, having the contents of the game are loaded from a XML file which would be separated from the game implementation. The game itself, iLearnTest, consists of several challenges which cover various themes regarding software testing learning. Since the content is saved to and loaded from a separate file from the game implementation, it becomes easier to create and edit new levels or even new games for diferent topics, simply by editing a XML file. This new approach turns iLearnTest into a framework rather than a game in the sense that it is possible to use the same game(s) as templates for the learning process of a variety of themes. Resumo O desenvolvimento de jogos para a educação é uma área de pesquisa em crescimento.
    [Show full text]
  • View the Manual
    I NTROt>U(TION Get ready for the Epic Adventure of a lifetime. You are Hercules, battling through a series of action-packed levels in order to prove yourself a True Hero on Earth and take your rightful place as a god on Mount Olympus! However, before you can face your first monster, you'll have to convince Phil, Herc's temperamental trainer, that you've got what it takes to be a True Hero. Once you've sharpened your skills, rescued a few "Damsels in Distress:• and shown Phil you've got what it takes, you'll be ready to set offfor some REAL adventure! If you're able to make your way through the deadly Centaur Forest, survive the chaotic "Big Olive," and defeat the fearsome Hydra you'll think you've got this hero stuff wired! But that's just the beginning. Hades, dark lord of the Underworld, is carrying out his evil plan. He's enlisted the Titans - elemental creatures of Ice, Wind, Lava and Rock - as well as a monstrous brood of fire-breathing Griffins,razor­ beaked Harpies, and a whole army of Skeleton Warriors to help him. To foil Hades' plan Hercules is going to have to use every bit of his training, strength and skill. So guzzle some Herculade, sharpen your sword, and see if you have what it takes to go the distance, and become a TRUE HERO! NOTE: The default setting of this game is "Medium Difficulty". Beginning players might want to start on the "Beginner Difficulty" setting to practice, but just be aware that you will not be able to play the last two levels of the game .
    [Show full text]