Tuesday, July 10, 2018

When it comes to understanding gamers, the play's the thing

A team of multidisciplinary researchers at the University of Waterloo has identified three basic video game player traits that will help to make game design more personalized and more effectively motivate gamers in both entertainment and work applications.

Gustavo Fortes Tondello, a PhD candidate at Waterloo who co-authored the study with Lennart Nacke, an associate professor and director of the Human-Computer Interaction Games Group at Waterloo’s Games Institute, has been developing a more definitive player traits model that gives scores for different preferences. The model generates scores for three different traits, including the degree to which players prefer action elements, aesthetic aspects, or goal orientation in games. Identifying traits makes it possible to analyze player preferences for different groups of people, including different age ranges or genders.

“By better understanding what people like when playing games, we can determine how best to apply those elements to situations that are not games,” Tondello said. “We can create systems that are more pleasant to use and help people feel more engaged and motivated to achieve their goals.”

The research began by analyzing a dataset of over 50,000 respondents who had been surveyed for an earlier player satisfaction model called BrainHex, developed by Chris Bateman with Nacke and colleague Regan Mandryk.

With BrainHex, researchers identified player archetypes, including seeker, survivor, daredevil, mastermind, conqueror, socializer, and achiever. In contrast, this more recent model generates scores for three different “traits,” including the degree to which players prefer action elements, aesthetic aspects, or goal orientation in games. It’s possible to then analyze those player preferences for groups of people who are in different age categories, or different genders, for example.

Tondello and Nacke, have been exploring what motivates people and helps keep them playing certain games. Ultimately, they want to use the information to make game design more personalized and more effectively motivate gamers in both entertainment and work applications.

“Some people have been found to really enjoy daredevil, fast action elements of games, while others like the aesthetic elements, such as the art and graphic design,” said Nacke. “The story can also be necessary for drawing some people into a game.

“If we can build systems that can adapt to and accommodate individual differences, interactive systems become more exciting and motivating for every one of us."

The study, Towards a Trait Model of Video Game Preferences, co-authored by Tondello, Nacke, Deltcho Valtchanov, Adrian Reetz, Rina Wehbe and Rita Orji, all of the University of Waterloo Games Institute, was published recently in the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.

Schlegel Research Chair boosts dementia research capacity

While more and more older adults are living with dementia, many are living well, thanks in part to researchers like Carrie McAiney.

She works together with individuals with dementia, their families, and care partners to understand and address their future and current needs. Through collaboration, McAiney is redefining dementia care and support.

With nearly two decades of research experience, McAiney has been appointed the Schlegel Research Chair in Dementia. The position is shared with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) and the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (AHS). It marks the 10^th Schlegel Chair position supported by the Schlegel family to enhance care and quality of life for older adults, and the fifth Schlegel Research Chair at Waterloo.

McAiney joins the RIA and AHS from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, where she was director of the Program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research. She obtained her PhD from UWaterloo in 1998.

“Dr. McAiney’s research is of crucial importance as we adjust to changing demographics,” says Josie d’Avernas, executive director at the RIA. “Her approach of putting individuals living with dementia and their families at the centre of her work makes her the perfect addition to our team of researchers.” 

Paul Stolee, interim dean of AHS and himself an aging-focused researcher, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. McAiney back to the University and to the School of Public Health and Health Systems. Her research and scholarship will greatly contribute to our Faculty’s leadership role in improving the quality of life of older persons.”

McAiney hopes to change the way people view dementia and to challenge the stigma that surrounds the diagnosis.

“I hope that the research that I and the other Schlegel Research Chairs conduct will help to shift the often negative perceptions of people living with dementia and their abilities,” says McAiney. “We as a society need to gain understanding and a sincere appreciation for the important and outstanding contributions individuals living with dementia make in their communities.”

To help identify research priorities and advise her work, McAiney is establishing a Dementia Advisory Committee involving those living with dementia and family care partners. She also serves on a committee assessing evidence and best practices to inform the national dementia strategy.

To mark the beginning of this new role, McAiney delivered a public lecture to a sold-out audience at the RIA’s home base at the Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Aging in Waterloo.

Remembering Cathy May and other notes

Human Resources has reported that IST staff member Cathy May died on May 17. May joined the University in July 2009 and worked as Manager, Enterprise Systems. She is survived by her spouse Earl.

The bridge is out: Plant Operations is reporting that the stairwell in Carl Pollock Hall will be closed for asbestos removal and abatement as of Wednesday, July 11. This stairwell closure will affect the stairwell and the pedestrian overpass access on the south side of University Avenue as well, with both stairwells and bridge being out of commission until the end of August. Plant Operations will be using this opportunity to do some repairs on the University side of the bridge. Signage will be posted on the stairwell doors. 

The pedestrian overpass that crosses University Avenue and connects to Carl Pollock Hall was built in 1971.

"Beerfest is back at the Bombshelter Pub, and you are invited!" says a note from the Federation of Students. "$10 gets you 14 samples of various beers to enjoy while listening to live music on the patio. Start your Friday off the right way, with your friends at The Bombshelter Pub!"