Games Technology

This paper explores the established East-West Dichotomy and attempts to explain its role in the games industry while examining if it can even be accurately applied to it. In an attempt to find out, a games design model (B. James et al, 2013) was used to quickly and efficiently break down a variety of popular and/or relevant video game titles from recent years in order to better understand their design and targeting systems. These games were then compared and analysed in order to determine their exact place in the market as well as their place in the Global Ludo Polychotomy, freeing the industry from a dichotomy based perception.
These comparisons have indicated that the original east-west dichotomy theory (S. Meštrovic, 1994), while appropriate for the initial subject matter, may not be entirely suitable for defining the global state of games, their design and their marketing. These differences are quite noticeable and, as such, warrant further investigation.

This paper looks at reward within computer games and establishes a visual framework for displaying the reward mechanics used in games in the form of “Three Corners of Reward”. It establishes the link between personal reward, material reward and competitive reward through three drivers, intrinsic, extrinsic and social play. The work shows that this framework has two purposes. One is of a framework for analysing games and the other as a potential design tool to decide upon the appropriate reward mechanics for games with a specific target market.

This research is part of a TSB funded feasibility study (ARIA) and is the preliminary reward based design concept for a game to accompany electricity Smart Meters’ Home Display Units. The purpose is to engage players in the game for an extended period so they would similarly engage in using their Home Display Units in order to lower their electricity consumption and modify their behaviour. This paper looks at reward within computer games and establishes a visual framework for displaying the reward mechanics used in games in the form of “Three Corners of Reward”. It establishes the link between personal reward, material reward and competitive reward through three drivers, intrinsic, extrinsic and social play which is then linked to player demographics. It this case the target market require a spread of male and female, but majority female with a broad appeal to many age groups.

Within the Games Technology program area, student engagement with the optional pastoral
personal tutoring system has been long standing problem. Previous study into the system
had highlighted that following the initial meeting in their first year, students did not attend
subsequent meetings. This paper reviews some of the systems that have been implemented
to address these problems. It asks whether incorporating Personal Development Planning
(PDP) can breathe new life into a system, which currently students feel disengaged with?
Through a review of the current literature, and questionnaires to both staff and students,
the appeal of the new PDP provision within the current personal tutoring system can be
ascertained; The results show that the current provision is an improvement over the
previous system, but that both staff and students would welcome further integration of PDP
into personal tutoring. The evidence shows that whilst students at lower levels may not
totally appreciate PDP at that time, as they continue in academia the need to be an
employable graduate motivates the student to engage with PDP. This study recommends
that when a structured PDP programme has been compiled it should be incorporated into
personal tutoring as a matter of course.

This paper explores the established East-West Dichotomy and attempts to explain its role in the games industry while examining if it can even be accurately applied to it. In an attempt to find out, a games design model (B. James et al, 2013) was used to quickly and efficiently break down a variety of popular and/or relevant video game titles from recent years in order to better understand their design and targeting systems. These games were then compared and analysed in order to determine their exact place in the market as well as their place in the Global Ludo Polychotomy, freeing the industry from a dichotomy based perception.
These comparisons have indicated that the original east-west dichotomy theory (S. Meštrovic, 1994), while appropriate for the initial subject matter, may not be entirely suitable for defining the global state of games, their design and their marketing. These differences are quite noticeable and, as such, warrant further investigation.

This paper looks at reward within computer games and establishes a visual framework for displaying the reward mechanics used in games in the form of “Three Corners of Reward”. It establishes the link between personal reward, material reward and competitive reward through three drivers, intrinsic, extrinsic and social play. The work shows that this framework has two purposes. One is of a framework for analysing games and the other as a potential design tool to decide upon the appropriate reward mechanics for games with a specific target market.

This research is part of a TSB funded feasibility study (ARIA) and is the preliminary reward based design concept for a game to accompany electricity Smart Meters’ Home Display Units. The purpose is to engage players in the game for an extended period so they would similarly engage in using their Home Display Units in order to lower their electricity consumption and modify their behaviour. This paper looks at reward within computer games and establishes a visual framework for displaying the reward mechanics used in games in the form of “Three Corners of Reward”. It establishes the link between personal reward, material reward and competitive reward through three drivers, intrinsic, extrinsic and social play which is then linked to player demographics. It this case the target market require a spread of male and female, but majority female with a broad appeal to many age groups.