Measuring Video Game Engagement Through Gameplay Reviews. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kirschner, David; Williams, J. Patrick
• Other Names: Moseley Alex guest-editor.; Whitton Nicola guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Simulation & gaming. Volume 45:Number 4/5(2014:Aug./Oct.)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 610
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: analyzing data -- empirical data -- engagement -- expertise -- game design -- gameplay review method -- GRM -- interactions -- interpretive data -- knowledge -- microsociology -- perceptions -- producing data -- relationships -- symbolic interaction -- symbolic interactionism -- understanding of games -- video recordings -- WORLD OF WARCRAFT; Social sciences -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Simulation methods -- Periodicals; Game theory -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Jeu de rôle -- Périodiques; Éducation; Jeu d'entreprise; Jeu de simulation; Méthode de simulation; Sciences sociales; Théorie des jeux; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 003.3
• DOI: 10.1177/1046878114554185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-8781

Abstract

Aim . In this article, we develop a method, that we call thegameplay review method, for measuring players'engagement with digital games through players'interactions withvideo recordings of their own gameplay. Method . The gameplay review method arose from a microsociological study of the gameplay of eight young adults who each played approximately 20 hours of WORLD OF WARCRAFT over a 3-month period in 2012. Using data from in-depth interviews and audiovisual recordings of one of the eight participants, this article focuses on how the method leveraged participants'knowledge of theirexperiences and ties that knowledge tomeasures of engagement . We outline the method's four-step process (producing Level I data, analyzing Level I data, producing Level II data, analyzing Level II data) to guide the generation and analysis of rich video data. The method involves focused discussions on selectedrecorded segments of participants' gameplay and is a means of connecting game design with bothempirical andinterpretive data. Results . We show how, as participants progress, they learn aboutgame design features and deepen theirunderstanding of games . We found that participants' developingperceptions of, andrelationships to, design features affect theirengagement with digital games. Conclusion . The gameplay review method is significant in its ability tomeasure engagement by dealingexplicitly withempirical andinterpretive data.