Intelligent Technologies for Interactive Entertainment. 9th International Conference, INTETAIN 2017, Funchal, Portugal, June 20-22, 2017, Proceedings

Research Article

Player Expectations of Animal Incorporated Computer Games

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-319-73062-2_1,
        author={Wim Eck and Maarten Lamers},
        title={Player Expectations of Animal Incorporated Computer Games},
        proceedings={Intelligent Technologies for Interactive Entertainment. 9th International Conference, INTETAIN 2017, Funchal, Portugal, June 20-22, 2017, Proceedings},
        proceedings_a={INTETAIN},
        year={2018},
        month={2},
        keywords={Animal-Computer Interaction Computer games Animal welfare Player expectations},
        doi={10.1007/978-3-319-73062-2_1}
    }
    
  • Wim Eck
    Maarten Lamers
    Year: 2018
    Player Expectations of Animal Incorporated Computer Games
    INTETAIN
    Springer
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-73062-2_1
Wim Eck,*, Maarten Lamers1,*
  • 1: Leiden University
*Contact email: w.j.o.m.van.eck@liacs.leidenuniv.nl, m.h.lamers@liacs.leidenuniv.nl

Abstract

Animal incorporated games were both hypothesized and shown to serve multiple desired objectives, among which improvement of animal welfare, strengthening pet-owner relations, and creating new experiences for human players. We study the expected player experience of animal incorporated games through the use of an extended survey ( = 177). Our results indicate that respondents expect (a) added unpredictability caused by animal-opponent behavior, (b) increased enjoyment when playing against animals, for a limited duration of time, and (c) that hypothetical exact simulation of animal behavior offers equally interesting opponent behavior. Furthermore, concerns of animal welfare significantly moderate the preference for computer-, exact simulated- or animal-opponents. These outcomes can be used to correct for aspects such as novelty bias, when measuring player experiences in animal incorporated type games.