DOCSLIB.ORG

Mahjong Club: Enjoyable Mahjong Experience for Various Players

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mahjong Club: Enjoyable Mahjong Experience for Various Players MASTER’S THESIS Mahjong Club: Enjoyable Mahjong Experience for Various Players Author: Advisor: Zhanxi Shi Dr. Seth Cooper A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Game Science and Design College of Arts, Media and Design Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts March, 2017 1 Ma hjong Club: Enjoyable Mahjong Experience for Various Players by Zhanxi Shi Mahjong has been released for years, and lots of localized rules have been designed to make it enjoyable in different ways. Based on a set of competitive mahjong rules, this project focuses on minor adjustments to create an enjoyable experience for different groups of players. Iterated tutorial mode and balanced ability system contribute majorly to this project. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Game Science and Design in the Graduate School of the College of Arts, Media and Design of Northeastern University April, 2017 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Background 4 Playtest 6 Iterative design 7 Conclusion 14 Reference 15 3 1. Introduction Mahjong is a traditional tile-based game with a history of hundreds of years. Similar to chess, Mahjong is built up with many strict rules. Different from chess, the players need not only strategies but also luck to win the game. Due to the disturbance of randomness, players need a lot of practice before they know how to improve their win rate. Even though mathematical calculations can improve players’ performance, but the complex arithmetical procedure is not enjoyable to most of the intermediate players. Hardcore players may spend hours practicing and searching for the optimal solution, but the innate randomness of mahjong could suddenly turn over the situations and confuse the player. Traditionally, mahjong is an analog game. Previous players set up different mahjong rules to meet different kinds of playstyles. Comparing to the competitive versions of mahjong, these local rules usually sacrifice randomness for skills or the other way around. In our project, a digital version of competitive mahjong is implemented. Featured designs are elaborated to help different groups of players enjoy mahjong. Limited by the scope of the project, this is a single-player version, and the other 3 opponents would be controlled by A.I instead of human players. 2. Background It is easy to find electronic copies of mahjong games, but there are huge differences between them. Many players recognize mahjong solitaire games, which are not what we are designing. Based on the mechanics of the traditional mahjong, there are many variations across the world. Mahjong is played with different rules in different areas. In China, it is played differently than in America, in Japan different than in Hong Kong, in Great Britain different than in France, in one region different than in another(Jelte, 2006, p. 11). In this project, a complete competitive rule system of mahjong is preferred to keep the game balanced initially. There are two versions of competitive mahjong rules: Official International Rules and Riichi Competition Rules . This project is based on Riichi Competition Rules, also known as Japanese mahjong rules, because the players are required to remember less to start playing Riichi Competition Rules. Limited the scope to only digital mahjong games with Japanese mahjong rules, there are still many forerunners. However, most of the Japanese mahjong games are developed for mahjong experts. Simple graphics and no introductions are common characteristics. T enhou.net is a popular online Japanese mahjong platform. Thousands of players from beginners to masters are active all day. Due to its simplicity, many mahjong artificial intelligence(AI) is developed and tested on this platform against human players. Tenhou.net is an excellent choice for pure AI development, but it is only appealing to hardcore players that already know how to play mahjong. There are also mahjong games developed specially for beginners. スーパーリアル麻雀 is a 4 series of Japanese mahjong games with more than 20 years of improvements. These series design attractive stories and characters and simplified mahjong from 4 player game to 2 player game. It is an acceptable introductive game collection for beginners, but definitely not enjoyable for mahjong experts. Both of these examples focus on specific player community. There are also Japanese mahjong games developed for all player types. Video arcade games are usually installed in public areas, so all the people nearby are intended players. Different from mobile games and PC games, arcade game players do not have much time for exploring. According to the research on arcade gamers’ preferences, players prefer familiar games with simple, easy-to-understand rules and play(David, 1990, p. 11). However, it appears that video-arcade-gamers apply a very similar aesthetics to the computer and non-computer games(David, 1990, p. 10). Consequently, a successful arcade game should be easy-to-understand and challenging, but not impossible, to win. In 2011, Sega released a mahjong arcade called Sega MJ5 . With years of improvements, Sega MJ5 has successfully meet players’ expectation of mahjong video arcade game. Successful mahjong games for all player communities not only appears on video arcade machines but also on consoles. Mahjong Dream Club is a console game published on PlayStation3 by D3 Publisher in 2012. With systematic tutorials for beginners and collectible power-up abilities, this game is attractive from the aspect of mechanics. Reviewing the game from the aspect of aesthetics, we notice that Mahjong Dream Club offers flexible camera movements and charming environments and visual special effects. These features improve visual performances vitally and make it more like a real mahjong game. Even though personal computers are built with hardware with similar or even better performance as consoles, we can rarely find mahjong games that include both elaborated mechanics and astonishing visual effects and experiences. In this case, PC platform is chosen as the intended platform for creating the enjoyable mahjong game for both beginners and masters. 3. Playtest Since this project is designed for players with different levels of skills, the playtests are held with 3 groups of people. Group 1 includes 3 people with no experience in mahjong. Group 2 includes 7 people with experience in Japanese Mahjong. Group 3 includes a pool of players that are familiar with other mahjong rules besides Japanese Mahjong. Playtesters in group 1 mainly focus on the effectiveness of the tutorial mode. All the playtests are held with 1 to 1 interviews. The playtester is given a learning task before each test starts. Feedback is collected after the playtester successfully completes the task or gives up when confused. Afterward, the project is improved to a newer version and another test would be held. 5 Playtesters in group 2 mainly focus on the general game experiences. All the playtests are held online. Everytime the project is updated, a working build is uploaded to the drive and an announcement is sent to the playtesters. Usually, no specific tasks are given with the announcement. Since these playtesters have played at least one other digital Japanese Mahjong games, functional exceptions, and uneasy designs can be spotted quickly. With the report from this group, the general playability of the game is improved. Playtesters in group 3 mainly focus on comparative designs between this project and other mahjong games. No playtest is held directly within this group. Questionnaires are sent to this group to collect feedbacks from general mahjong players. Answers from this group ensure that the designs of our project do not violate the consensus of major mahjong players. 4. Iterative design Design and development of this project can be separated into several sections. A set of tutorials is designed for beginners. Ability system is designed for intermediate players. Extra helper UI is designed for smoother gameplay experiences. Setting and statistics are designed for custom adjustments and reflections. 4.1 Tutorial Mahjong is built up with many minor rules. To become a master, a player needs to remember all of them. However, to start playing mahjong, a player only needs to remember a small part of them. The goal of this section is figuring out the minimum collection of rules needed for beginners and the approach of teaching these rules. Design round 1: The first version of the tutorial has 3 levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced(see Figure 1). Beginner level includes 6 parts, referring to general mahjong rules. Intermediate level includes 12 parts, referring to unique Japanese mahjong rules. Advanced level includes 5 parts, referring to tricky optional rules. Each part is directed to a short video with subtitles(see Figure 2). Finishing the parts in beginner and intermediate level should be enough to play the game. It takes about 20 minutes to watch all these videos, which is quite a long time. In order to keep the player motivated, a bonus system is added. Finishing one part gives the player 5 points. Collecting certain points would unlock extra game contents like a character. 6 Figure 1: the first version of tutorial mode Figure 2: tutorial video with subtitle Playtest round 1: The collection of rules selected in beginner and intermediate level is enough for players to start playing the game, but the playtesters want more practice before start playing. The videos are taking so much time that even patient and curious player may not finish them. The bonus system is totally useless and uninteresting to players. Design round 2: All the videos are compressed together as one, and only the most important moments are kept(see Figure 3). The total length is much shorter(20 min to 5 min). The bonus system is removed. The beginner level now only includes the tutorial video.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • "Sichuan Mahjong? It's That Simple!"
    Vitaly Novikov "Sichuan Mahjong? It's that simple!" Contents Introduction Chapter 1. Sichuan mahjong game mechanics Lesson 1. How to play mahjong? Lesson 2. Starting the deal Lesson 3. Hand and its components Lesson 4. Game mechanics Chapter 2. Scoring Lesson 5. General rules Lesson 6. Scoring examples Chapter 3. Hand building strategy Lesson 7. General considerations Lesson 8. Hand building Chapter 4. Supplementary materials Answers to problems and tests Appendix Introduction To big and red pandas From Wikipedia The Giant Panda, with its typical black and white coloration, lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in the Sichuan province, located in south-central China. The main attraction of the province in terms of eco-tourism is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding near Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. Acknowledgements I am grateful to all those who contributed to the process of writing this book ● to Eugeniya Hludentsova — for decorating book, creating tile images and illustrations ● to Petr Manyakhin — for reviewing the book, contribution for Chapter 3 ● to Denis Lugannikov — for reviewing the book Feedback Please, send your feedback on the book to the author: Vitaly Novikov Phone / WhatsApp / Viber: +7(925)771-45-92 E mail: v [email protected] Page in Facebook: h ttps://www.facebook.com/Novikov.Mahjong Welcome to Mahjong World Dear reader! We invite you to plunge into the wonderful world of mahjong: intellectual board games that millions of fans around the world enjoy playing. Mahjong develops logic, memory, observation, ability to react and make decisions. In the world mahjong is played by dozens of variations of rules including countless purely local ones.
    [Show full text]
  • A GUIDE to MAHJONG - Chinese / Official International Rules TABLE of CONTENTS
    A GUIDE TO MAHJONG - Chinese / Official International Rules TABLE OF CONTENTS A GUIDE TO MAHJONG...................................................... 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................ 2 SHARING / UPDATING THIS DOCUMENT .......................... 5 INTRODUCTION TO MAHJONG .......................................... 6 UNDERSTANDING THE MAHJONG SET............................... 7 THE 3 SUITS ......................................................................................... 7 BAMBOOS............................................................................................ 7 CHARACTERS ....................................................................................... 7 DOTS.................................................................................................. 7 THE 4 DIRECTIONAL TILES.................................................................... 8 THE 3 CARDINAL TILES ......................................................................... 8 THE 8 OPTIONAL FLOWER AND SEASON TILES....................................... 8 STARTING A GAME...........................................................10 THE ORDER OF PLAY ........................................................................... 10 MAKING THE WALL ............................................................................. 10 BREAKING THE WALL .......................................................................... 11 THE DEAD WALL.................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Attitudes of Key Executives of International Tourist Hotels in Taiwan Toward Casino Investments in Taiwan
    UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1994 The attitudes of key executives of international tourist hotels in Taiwan toward casino investments in Taiwan Shiang-Lih Chen University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Chen, Shiang-Lih, "The attitudes of key executives of international tourist hotels in Taiwan toward casino investments in Taiwan" (1994). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 406. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/gw6d-e2m5 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of conqtuter printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the qnali^ of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adverse^ affect reproduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Barticle's Japanese Mahjong Guide Page 1 Jump To: Contents 2
    1. Introduction 9. Yakuman 15. Optional Hands 2. Equipment ○ Single Yakuman ○ Optional Yaku ○ Tiles ○ Double Yakuman ○ Optional Yakuman 3. Format and Winds ○ Related Terms 16. Optional Rules ○ Preliminaries and Seating 10. Dora 17. Miscellaneous ○ Game Format 11. Ready and Waiting 18. Reference 4. Process of Play ○ Basic Waits ○ Yaku Summary 5. Sets and Calling ○ Complex Waits ○ Yakuman Summary ○ Sets ○ Furiten and Defence ○ Scoring Tables ○ Calling 12. Win, Lose or Draw ○ Limits ○ Open and Closed ○ Wins ○ Numbers 6. Yaku (Part 1) ○ Exhaustive Draws ○ Final Scores ○ Common Yaku ○ Abortive Draws ○ Gaming ○ Related Terms 13. Scoring 19. Japanese 7. Reaching ○ Calculation ○ Scripts ○ Limits ○ Pronunciation 8. Yaku (Part 2) ○ Related Terms ○ Uncommon Yaku 20. Credits and Legal 14. Penalties ○ Thanks Endorsed and hosted by the United States Professional Mahjong League 1. Introduction This is a guide to the modern Japanese version of the traditional four-player Chinese tabletop game of mahjong, this variant also being known as Riichi Mahjong or Reach Mahjong. I've previously written several guides to specific mahjong video-games (these can all be accessed from my GameFAQs contributor page) but I decided to produce a new, general, resource which will be useful to people playing on any mahjong video-game or website, reading mahjong manga, watching mahjong anime or perhaps even playing the game with real tiles! Since I've already included lists of mahjong terms in some of my previous guides and I want to place an emphasis on explaining the terminology used in the game, I've decided to produce this in the form of a non-alphabetical glossary, with detailed definitions for each entry, terms given in Japanese text, categorised sections and hyperlinks between them.
    [Show full text]
  • Mah Jong, Chess, and Bourré in the Works of Amy Tan and Tim Gautreaux
    Playing Games as Cultural Expression: Mah Jong, Chess, and Bourré in the Works of Amy Tan and Tim Gautreaux Sara Hays Abstract The opening lines of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, after the brief initial prologue, are: “My father has asked me to be the fourth corner at the Joy Luck Club. I am to replace my mother, whose seat at the mah jong table has been empty since she died two months ago. My father thinks she was killed by her own thoughts” (19). These lines connect for the reader, from the very beginning of the novel, the playing of mah jong to deeper considerations of culture, legacy, and tradition. While both mah jong and The Joy Luck Club are internationally popular, the opposite is the case for the Cajun card game bourré and the Cajun short-story writer Tim Gautreaux, whose story “Died and Gone to Vegas” utilizes bourré in a way that is thematically similar to, but culturally different from, Tan’s use of mah jong in The Joy Luck Club. This paper examines both Tan’s and Gautreaux’s use of games—mah jong, as well as chess, and bourré respectively—as cultural receptacles and means of folkloric preservation. Middle Tennessee State University 53 Scientia et Humanitas: A Journal of Student Research he opening lines of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, after the brief initial Tprologue, are: “My father has asked me to be the fourth corner at the Joy Luck Club. I am to replace my mother, whose seat at the mah jong table has been empty since she died two months ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahjong and Mathematics
    Mahjong and mathematics Chi-Kwong Li Chi-Kwong Li Mahjong and mathematics Describe some background about the mahjong game. One may see how cultural exchange happened. Study some of its mathematical aspects. Learn the connection between mathematics and other activities. Describe some related research opportunities. See how some research problems arise. Objectives of the presentation/expected learning outcomes Chi-Kwong Li Mahjong and mathematics One may see how cultural exchange happened. Study some of its mathematical aspects. Learn the connection between mathematics and other activities. Describe some related research opportunities. See how some research problems arise. Objectives of the presentation/expected learning outcomes Describe some background about the mahjong game. Chi-Kwong Li Mahjong and mathematics Study some of its mathematical aspects. Learn the connection between mathematics and other activities. Describe some related research opportunities. See how some research problems arise. Objectives of the presentation/expected learning outcomes Describe some background about the mahjong game. One may see how cultural exchange happened. Chi-Kwong Li Mahjong and mathematics Learn the connection between mathematics and other activities. Describe some related research opportunities. See how some research problems arise. Objectives of the presentation/expected learning outcomes Describe some background about the mahjong game. One may see how cultural exchange happened. Study some of its mathematical aspects. Chi-Kwong Li Mahjong and mathematics Describe some related research opportunities. See how some research problems arise. Objectives of the presentation/expected learning outcomes Describe some background about the mahjong game. One may see how cultural exchange happened. Study some of its mathematical aspects. Learn the connection between mathematics and other activities.
    [Show full text]
  • The Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling
    1 2011 THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF GAMBLING Robert J. Williams, Ph.D. Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Coordinator, Alberta Gaming Research Institute University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Jürgen Rehm, Ph.D. Director, Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada Senior Scientist and Co-Head, Section Public Health and Regulatory Policies, CAMH, Toronto, Canada Professor and Chair, Addiction Policy, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (UoT), Canada Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UoT, Canada Head, Epidemiological Research Unit, Technische Universität Dresden, Klinische Psychologie & Psychotherapie, Dresden, Germany Rhys M.G. Stevens, M.L.I.S. Librarian, Alberta Gaming Research Institute University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada FINAL REPORT PREPARED FOR THE CANADIAN CONSORTIUM FOR GAMBLING RESEARCH 3/11/2011 2 Citation Williams, R.J., Rehm, J., & Stevens, R.M.G. (2011). The Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling. Final Report prepared for the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research. March 11, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/1286 The following are the members of the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research: Alberta Gaming Research Institute Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of British Columbia Manitoba Gaming Control Commission Ministère de la Sante et des Services Sociaux du Québec Gambling Awareness Foundation of Nova Scotia Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre Contact Information Dr. Robert J. Williams Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences & Coordinator, Alberta Gaming Research Institute 3017 Markin Hall University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, Alberta Canada; T1K 3M4 403-382-7128 (phone) [email protected] Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Name of Game Date of Approval Comments Nevada Gaming Commission Approved Gambling Games Effective August 1, 2021
    NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION APPROVED GAMBLING GAMES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2021 NAME OF GAME DATE OF APPROVAL COMMENTS 1 – 2 PAI GOW POKER 11/27/2007 (V OF PAI GOW POKER) 1 BET THREAT TEXAS HOLD'EM 9/25/2014 NEW GAME 1 OFF TIE BACCARAT 10/9/2018 2 – 5 – 7 POKER 4/7/2009 (V OF 3 – 5 – 7 POKER) 2 CARD POKER 11/19/2015 NEW GAME 2 CARD POKER - VERSION 2 2/2/2016 2 FACE BLACKJACK 10/18/2012 NEW GAME 2 FISTED POKER 21 5/1/2009 (V OF BLACKJACK) 2 TIGERS SUPER BONUS TIE BET 4/10/2012 (V OF BACCARAT) 2 WAY WINNER 1/27/2011 NEW GAME 2 WAY WINNER - COMMUNITY BONUS 6/6/2011 21 + 3 CLASSIC 9/27/2000 21 + 3 CLASSIC - VERSION 2 8/1/2014 21 + 3 CLASSIC - VERSION 3 8/5/2014 21 + 3 CLASSIC - VERSION 4 1/15/2019 21 + 3 PROGRESSIVE 1/24/2018 21 + 3 PROGRESSIVE - VERSION 2 11/13/2020 21 + 3 XTREME 1/19/1999 (V OF BLACKJACK) 21 + 3 XTREME - (PAYTABLE C) 2/23/2001 21 + 3 XTREME - (PAYTABLES D, E) 4/14/2004 21 + 3 XTREME - VERSION 3 1/13/2012 21 + 3 XTREME - VERSION 4 2/9/2012 21 + 3 XTREME - VERSION 5 3/6/2012 21 MADNESS 9/19/1996 21 MADNESS SIDE BET 4/1/1998 (V OF 21 MADNESS) 21 MAGIC 9/12/2011 (V OF BLACKJACK) 21 PAYS MORE 7/3/2012 (V OF BLACKJACK) 21 STUD 8/21/1997 NEW GAME 21 SUPERBUCKS 9/20/1994 (V OF 21) 211 POKER 7/3/2008 (V OF POKER) 24-7 BLACKJACK 4/15/2004 2G'$ 12/11/2019 2ND CHANCE BLACKJACK 6/19/2008 NEW GAME 2ND CHANCE BLACKJACK – VERSION 2 9/24/2008 2ND CHANCE BLACKJACK – VERSION 3 4/8/2010 3 CARD 6/24/2021 NEW GAME NAME OF GAME DATE OF APPROVAL COMMENTS 3 CARD BLITZ 8/22/2019 NEW GAME 3 CARD HOLD’EM 11/21/2008 NEW GAME 3 CARD HOLD’EM - VERSION 2 1/9/2009
    [Show full text]
  • Offer Mahjong to Your Players Today!
    # SPRING A MAGAZINE FROM MAHJONG LOGIC 2012 KON MAHJONG, TRENDS AND BUSINESS HOW TO SCORE BIG ongA LONELY TIME IN SWEDE IN MAHJONG HONG KONG JENN BARR SAME NAME GOES ALL IN DIFFERENT GAME HOW BIG IS THE HARD LIFE THE ONLINE OF BEING A PRO MAHJONG MARKET, IN JAPAN REALLY? Offer Mahjong to Your Players Today! 1 FREE for all delegates 22nd – 25th May 2012 IS BACK IN DUBLIN! The iGaming Super Show is the biggest B2B and affi liate event in the industry. With two events under one roof this is the meeting place for the online gambling market. Why you must attend in 2012 The biggest event in the iGaming industry Join over 2,500 delegates from across the industry, from operators to affi liates, legislators to software providers and everyone in between Entry is FREE for all iGaming delegates In-depth conference sessions covering the key issues facing the industry Insightful debate and learning from leading industry fi gures The iGaming Series of Poker, open to all delegates Meet 150+exhibitors in two distinct zones Unrivalled networking opportunities with 6 planned events from the 22nd to the 25th, including the CalvinAyre.com party 3 Register today: www.iGamingSuperShow.com 2 Welcome Contents In the world of games played for serious money and where you face real, living A CRASH COURSE IN MAHJONG opponents and not an anonymous bank or HOW BIG IS THE ONLINE MAHJONG MARKET REALLY? 7 house, there are a few rare ones that stand out. They do so not only for their world- wide status and the spine-tingling thrills they 10 can provide, but also for their impressive IS THERE fan base: poker, with its raw background MAHJONG AFTER in Wild West saloons with bullet holes in 13 DEATH? the ceiling; backgammon, evoking images of high-stakes dice rolling in lavish Monte 14 Carlo saloons; and mahjong, a deep, fascinating tile game of Chinese origins.
    [Show full text]
  • G3 April 2013
    THE BUSINESS FOR GAMES www.G3imagazine.com GLOBAL GAMES AND GAMING MAGAZINE I APRIL 2013 ANALYSIS IOM’S INTERACTIVE SECTOR THE ONLINE GAMING ISLE FOCUS GAMBLING IN MACAU SHFL’S BATTLE WITH LT GAME REVIEW GLI ROUNDTABLE N. AMERICA ABOVE AND BEYOND MARKET REPORT - PART II VLT AND CASINO EXPANSION ACROSS THE CANADIAN MARKET CANADIAN CHARTER G3 LAUNCHES ANDROID AND IOS MAGAZINE APPS FOR THE GLOBAL GAMING INDUSTRY DOWNLOAD DIGITAL ISSUES OF G3 MAGAZINE AND THE LATEST GAMING MARKET REPORTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ANDROID AND APPLE APP STORES Now Playing! The most popular entertainer in history is featured in the ultimate music and slot gaming experience. Michael Jackson King of Pop™ showcases a custom surround-sound chair for an unprecedented audio experience, five smash hit songs, a huge progressive jackpot, Mystery Wilds, and Free Game Bonuses. Bally Europe I +31 020 569 2740 I BallyTech.com © 2012 Triumph International, Inc. under license from Bravado Merchandising. All rights reserved. © 2012 Bally Technologies. All Rights Reserved. Images are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change. “Sometimes people ask me why GLI goes to the time and expense to produce the Roundtable each year in three areas around the globe. And my answer to that question Contents can be summarised by a comment I received from a APRIL 2013 regulator during the Roundtable. He said to me, ‘GLI always goes above and beyond for the regulators we serve.’ And that is it in a nutshell.” James Maida, President and CEO, GLI. Page 32 CANADIAN CHARTER The second part of G3’s extensive market report covering the gaming sectors in Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Astudyofgambling Inhong Kong,Macao,Singapore and Japan
    駒澤大学心理学論集，2011，第13号，35-43 2011, 13, 35 -43 原 著 A Study of Gambling in Hong Kong,Macao,Singapore and Japan Yoshihiro Takahashi (Department of Psychology, Komazawa University, Japan) Raymond K.H. Chan (Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong) K.Y. Leung (Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao) K.S. Wong (Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, Singapore) Kiyoshi Hayashi (Shiraumegakuen College, Japan) Hiroko Takahashi (Tokyo Management College, Japan) Rie Nagasawa (Graduate School of Psychology, Rissho University, Japan) In measuring the respondents’attitudes on PURPOSE gambling, the survey adopted a 5-point Likert Currently, gambling addictive gambling, and scale. While the score of 3 is the mid-point, the problems it generated are key concerns of score and mean score below 3 will be consid- practitioners in social work, counselling and ered as negative:‘dislike’, ‘bad’, ‘negative’, ‘un- psychotherapy. Moreover, studies on the interested’and ‘gambler not smart’; and vice traits of people who have higher acceptance of versa if the score and mean score is above 3. gambling or exhibiting pathological tendencies RESULTS attract researchers’attention (e.g.Pentry,2005; Mizuguchi, 1985;Sato et al,2005). These atti- Age and sex ratio of the participant are tude and tendency are related to their personal shown in Table 1 and 2. conditions, apart from the cultural and social The gender balance was different among factors constituting their background. This those societies:we have more female samples study is to provide an overview of the youth’s than male except in Japan. However, it was attitude towards gambling.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahjong and Problem Gambling in Sydney: an Exploratory Study with Chinese Australians
    Journal of Gambling Issues http://jgi.camh.net/doi/pdf/10.4309/jgi.2011.25.3 Issue 25, June 2011 DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2011.25.3 Mahjong and Problem Gambling in Sydney: An Exploratory Study with Chinese Australians Wu Yi Zheng, Michael Walker, & Alex Blaszczynski University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Gambling is accepted as an integral part of Chinese cultural heritage. Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that problem gambling rates among Chinese community members residing in Western countries are substantially higher (2.1–2.9%) compared with those re- ported for mainstream populations (0.5–1.7%). However, these studies failed to differentiate culturally specific forms of gambling and their association with problem gambling within Chinese samples. Thus, it is not possible to determine if, or what proportion of, Chinese problem gamblers exhibit a propensity to experience problems with culturally specific, as opposed to mainstream, forms of gambling. Mahjong, a popular game deeply entrenched in Chinese tradition, is played among peers and family members. In a recent study conducted by Zheng, Walker, and Blaszczynski (2008), high rates of Mahjong-associated problem gambling were found in a sample of Chinese international students attending language schools and universities in Sydney, Australia. The aim of the current study was to explore the extent of Mahjong-associated problem gambling in a broader community sample of Chinese Australians. Results showed that in a sample of 229 respondents, males and those 35 years or older were more likely to gamble on Mahjong and that 3.1% met the Canadian Problem Gambling Severity Index criteria for Mahjong problem gambling.
    [Show full text]