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Level Design Patterns That Invoke Curiosity-Driven Exploration: An Empirical Study Across Multiple Conditions

Authors:

Marcello A. Gómez-Maureira,

Isabelle Kniestedt,

Carolien Rieffe,

Aske PlaatAuthors Info & Claims

Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, Volume 5, Issue CHI PLAY

Article No.: 271, Pages 1 - 32

https://doi.org/10.1145/3474698

Published: 06 October 2021 Publication History

Abstract

Video games frequently feature 'open world' environments, designed to motivate exploration. Level design patterns are implemented to invoke curiosity and to guide player behavior. However, evidence of the efficacy of such patterns has remained theoretical. This study presents an empirical study of how level design patterns impact curiosity-driven exploration in a 3D open-world video game. 254 participants played a game in an empirical study using a between-subjects factorial design, testing 4 variables: presence or absence of patterns, goal or open-ended, nature and alien aesthetic, and assured or unassured compensation. Data collection consisted of in-game metrics and emotion word prompts as well as post-game questionnaires. Results show that design patterns invoke heightened exploration, but this effect is influenced by the presence of an explicit goal or monetary compensation. There appear to be many motivations behind exploratory behavior in games, with patterns raising expectations in players. A disposition for curiosity (i.e. 'trait curiosity') was not found to influence exploration. We interpret and discuss the impact of the conditions, individual patterns, and player motivations.

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Cited By

Menezes GFonseca DCavalcanti LSoares N(2024)A comunicação não verbal e o level design silencioso de ScornBlucher Design Proceedings10.5151/cidiconcic2023-112_649805(1664-1671)Online publication date: Jun-2024
https://doi.org/10.5151/cidiconcic2023-112_649805
Kumar HMusabirov IReza MShi JWang XWilliams JKuzminykh ALiut M(2024)Guiding Students in Using LLMs in Supported Learning Environments: Effects on Interaction Dynamics, Learner Performance, Confidence, and TrustProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36870388:CSCW2(1-30)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3687038
Kärnä EVäkevä JRautalahti HLindqvist J(2024)Questions without Answers: Enjoyment of Irresolution in Mystery Player ExperienceProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36771008:CHI PLAY(1-28)Online publication date: 15-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677100
Show More Cited By

Index Terms

Level Design Patterns That Invoke Curiosity-Driven Exploration: An Empirical Study Across Multiple Conditions
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)
    1. Empirical studies in HCI
    2. HCI design and evaluation methods
      1. User studies
  2. Interaction design
    1. Empirical studies in interaction design
2. Software and its engineering
  1. Software organization and properties
    1. Contextual software domains
      1. Virtual worlds software
        Interactive games

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Information & Contributors

Information

Published In

cover image Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction

Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction Volume 5, Issue CHI PLAY

CHI PLAY

September 2021

1535 pages

EISSN:2573-0142

DOI:10.1145/3490463

Editors:
Kathrin Gerling
KU Leuven
,
Elisa Mekler
Aalto University
,
Regan Mandryk
University of Saskatchewan

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Copyright © 2021 Owner/Author.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License.

Publisher

Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 06 October 2021

Published in PACMHCI Volume 5, Issue CHI PLAY

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Supplemental video https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3474698#V5chip271VF.mp4

Experiment Data [folder]: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3474698#V5chip271aux.zip

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Cited By

Menezes GFonseca DCavalcanti LSoares N(2024)A comunicação não verbal e o level design silencioso de ScornBlucher Design Proceedings10.5151/cidiconcic2023-112_649805(1664-1671)Online publication date: Jun-2024
https://doi.org/10.5151/cidiconcic2023-112_649805
Kumar HMusabirov IReza MShi JWang XWilliams JKuzminykh ALiut M(2024)Guiding Students in Using LLMs in Supported Learning Environments: Effects on Interaction Dynamics, Learner Performance, Confidence, and TrustProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36870388:CSCW2(1-30)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3687038
Kärnä EVäkevä JRautalahti HLindqvist J(2024)Questions without Answers: Enjoyment of Irresolution in Mystery Player ExperienceProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36771008:CHI PLAY(1-28)Online publication date: 15-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677100
Mekler E(2024)Five CHI PLAY Papers I Like: On Championing Published Work That Has MeritCompanion Proceedings of the 2024 Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play10.1145/3665463.3678868(279-281)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3665463.3678868
Acevedo PChoi MLiu HKao DMousas C(2024)Game Level Design to Evoke Spatial Exploration: The Influence of a Secondary TaskCompanion Proceedings of the 2024 Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play10.1145/3665463.3678811(4-10)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3665463.3678811
Tang ZKirman B(2024)Exploring Curiosity in Games: A Framework and Questionnaire Study of Player PerspectivesInternational Journal of Human–Computer Interaction10.1080/10447318.2024.2325171(1-16)Online publication date: 6-Mar-2024
https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2325171
Zhu Y(2024)A Review of Game Design Techniques for Evoking and Managing CuriosityArtsIT, Interactivity and Game Creation10.1007/978-3-031-55312-7_9(111-126)Online publication date: 21-Mar-2024
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55312-7_9
Kavale SJackson ABodnar CBrunhaver SCarberry AShekhar P(2023)Work in Progress: Examining the KEEN 3Cs Framework Using Content Analysis and Expert Review2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings10.18260/1-2--44254Online publication date: Jun-2023
https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--44254
Thumu NMeacham FNormoyle A(2023)Towards Understanding the Role of Curiosity in Puzzle DesignCompanion Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play10.1145/3573382.3616070(17-21)Online publication date: 6-Oct-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3573382.3616070
Vickery NWyeth P(2022)Exploration in Open-World Videogames: Environment, Items, Locations, Quests, and Combat in The Witcher 3Proceedings of the 34th Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3572921.3572926(310-318)Online publication date: 29-Nov-2022
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