A case study of user immersion-based systematic design for serious heritage games

Modern digital technologies support the preservation and transfer of cultural heritage information via devices and applications such as digital storage systems, electronic books and virtual museums. Advances in virtual and augmented reality, real-time computer graphics and computer games have made it possible to construct large virtual environments in which users may experience cultural heritage through a variety of interactions and immersions. Thus, an emerging problem is to implement an appropriate systematic design method for achieving various types of entertainment, learning and information transfer. This paper proposes two important design factors that impact on user immersion in serious heritage games: user interface space volume and subsystem sequence. The impact of the two factors on proposed systematic design methods was investigated through comparative studies by implementing a serious heritage game system on three different platforms.     

Gaze controlled games

The quality and availability of eye tracking equipment has been increasing while costs have been decreasing. These trends increase the possibility of using eye trackers for entertainment purposes. Games that can be controlled solely through movement of the eyes would be accessible to persons with decreased limb mobility or control. On the other hand, use of eye tracking can change the gaming experience for all players, by offering richer input and enabling attention-aware games. Eye tracking is not currently widely supported in gaming, and games specifically developed for use with an eye tracker are rare. This paper reviews past work on eye tracker gaming and charts future development possibilities in different sub-domains within. It argues that based on the user input requirements and gaming contexts, conventional computer games can be classified into groups that offer fundamentally different opportunities for eye tracker input. In addition to the inherent design issues, there are challenges and varying levels of support for eye tracker use in the technical implementations of the games.     

Serious Games: Broadening Games Impact Beyond Entertainment

Computer and videogames for many years has been an island of technology and design innovation largely left to itself as it morphed from a cottage business into a global media and software industry. While there have been pockets of derivative activity related to games and game technology only in the last half-dozen years has there been a real movement toward exploiting this industry in many new and exciting ways. Today the general use of games and game technologies for purposes beyond entertainment is collectively referred to as serious games. The Serious Games Initiative was formed in 2002 and since its inception has been among a number of critical efforts that has helped open up the world and many disciplines to the ideas and innovations that may be sourced from the commercial, independent, and academic game fields. This has been a person-by-person, project-by-project effort that not only has informed us about the potential of games but also in how you merge innovation and innovators from one discipline with those in another. In this talk we will explore the total gamut of the serious games field identifying past the obvious how games and game technologies are being applied to problems in a wide array of areas including healthcare, productivity, visualization, science, and of course training and education. Once a proper definition of serious games is established the talk will focus on the current state of the field as it relates to research and infrastructure issues that are needed to make the difference between seeing serious games take hold as a major new practice or having it devolve into another trend of the moment lost to history.     

What Drives People to Continue to Play Online Games? An Extension of Technology Model and Theory of Planned Behavior

Online gaming has become one of the fastest growing entertainment industries on the Internet over the past decade. However, little is known about why people continue to play certain online games or which design factors are most closely related to the amount of time spent by players at particular online gaming sites. The purpose of this study is to propose a theoretical research model, which integrates flow experience, human–computer interaction, social interaction, and perceived enjoyment, together with the technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior to explain why people continue to play online games. The proposed model was examined through an empirical study involving 415 participants using structural equation modeling techniques. The results found that player attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, flow experience, and perceived enjoyment have a positive influence on players' continued intention to play online games and explain about 70% of variance. In addition, implications for online games development are discussed.     

Strategies for designing effective psychotherapeutic gaming interventions for children and adolescents

A range of face-to-face therapies and interventions for children and adolescents with mental health problems have been developed over the years and include cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy and applied behavior analysis. The popularity of computer games has grown exponentially in the last decade and has been widely accepted by children, adolescents and adults alike. Mental health professionals have therefore been exploring the use of these games to complement traditional treatment methods. To date however, there has been little known concrete evidence of the effectiveness of computer games for the treatment of children and adolescents with mental health conditions. Key to the success of such games is that at the outset, they must be well-designed. This paper reviews extant relevant computer gaming literature to propose a set of guidelines and strategies for the design of psychotherapeutic games targeted at children and adolescents. The issues raised concern both the game player as well as the game itself. As part of this review, limitations of existing work and areas of future research are also discussed.     

Playing games

Computer graphics may once have been driven forward by the needs of architects and designers, but those times have now passed. The centre of action has switched to the entertainment sector - particularly animated movies and computer games. While a few architects have shown an interest in the design of virtual space, there has been little flow the other way. But games software can be remarkably effective as an architectural tool. We look at how the more bloodthirsty kind of computer games can be subverted for peaceful purposes.     

Students' attitudes toward playing games and using games in education: Comparing Scotland and the Netherlands

Games-based learning has captured the interest of educationalists and industrialists who seek to exploit the characteristics of computer games as they are perceived by some to be a potentially effective approach for teaching and learning. Despite this interest in using games-based learning there is a dearth of empirical evidence supporting the validity of the approach covering the wider context of gaming and education. This study presents a large scale gaming survey, involving 887 students from 13 different Higher Education (HE) institutes in Scotland and the Netherlands, which examines students' characteristics related to their gaming preferences, game playing habits, and their perceptions and thoughts on the use of games in education. It presents a comparison of three separate groups of students: a group in regular education in a Scottish university, a group in regular education in universities in the Netherlands and a distance learning group from a university in the Netherlands. This study addresses an overall research question of: Can computer games be used for educational purposes at HE level in regular and distance education in different countries? The study then addresses four sub-research questions related to the overall research question:

• •What are the different game playing habits of the three groups?
• •What are the different motivations for playing games across the three groups?
• •What are the different reasons for using games in HE across the three groups?
• •What are the different attitudes towards games across the three groups?

To our knowledge this is the first in-depth cross-national survey on gaming and education. We found that a large number of participants believed that computer games could be used at HE level for educational purposes and that further research in the area of game playing habits, motivations for playing computer games and motivations for playing computer games in education are worthy of extensive further investigation. We also found a clear distinction between the views of students in regular education and those in distance education. Regular education students in both countries rated all motivations for playing computer games as significantly more important than distance education students. Also the results suggest that Scottish students aim to enhance their social experience with regards to competition and cooperation, while Dutch students aim to enhance their leisurely experience with regards to leisure, feeling good, preventing boredom and excitement.     

Research on modelling digital paper-cut preservation

This paper studies the model of the digital preservation of paper-cut after analyzing the state-of-the-art of the preservation of intangible cultural heritage at home and abroad, focusing on paper-cutting in Hebei, China in a comprehensive approach of sociology, anthropology, folk art, folklore, communication, computer, and information science. Models, methods, and solutions for the preservation and retention of national and folk cultural heritage are proposed. A virtual multimedia interactive system framework of the digital preservation of national and folk cultural heritage is constructed. The standards of paper-cut digitization are studied. The main content of the paper involves: regulated data collection and recording of the scattered Chinese folk paper-cut works in Hebei; digitization, optimization, compression, classification, icon and pattern extraction, vectorization, and work analysis of the first-hand material. This paper also investigates the demonstration, dissemination, database construction, and retrieval of the classified material, icons, and patterns; the demonstration of the reconstruction and application of icon and pattern database; the design and development of an immersive virtual gaming platform of the multi-media scenes and production process of folk paper-cut.     

Multimodal augmented reality tangible gaming

This paper presents tangible augmented reality gaming environment that can be used to enhance entertainment using a multimodal tracking interface. Players can interact using different combinations between a pinch glove, a Wiimote, a six-degrees-of-freedom tracker, through tangible ways as well as through I/O controls. Two tabletop augmented reality games have been designed and implemented including a racing game and a pile game. The goal of the augmented reality racing game is to start the car and move around the track without colliding with either the wall or the objects that exist in the gaming arena. Initial evaluation results showed that multimodal-based interaction games can be beneficial in gaming. Based on these results, an augmented reality pile game was implemented with goal of completing a circuit of pipes (from a starting point to an end point on a grid). Initial evaluation showed that tangible interaction is preferred to keyboard interaction and that tangible games are much more enjoyable.     

文化遗产活化关键技术研究进展

中华民族文化资源丰富、种类繁多且艺术形式多样,源于民族,植根民间,承载着历史记忆,延续着文化血脉,是中华民族的根与魂。文化遗产分布广、流传年代长,具有多样性、独特性和不可再生性等特点,是研究古代人类文明发展的珍贵资料。目前随着信息技术的迅猛发展以及全球化的冲击,其传承形式发生了根本性变化,特别是非物质文化遗产的人际传承方式,因此亟待在资源与媒介、内容与技术之间搭建技术的桥梁,支撑中华文化遗产的数字化传承。本文基于先进的智能计算、数字媒体和虚拟现实/增强现实技术,结合文化遗产的传播过程和艺术特点,对文化遗产收集理解、虚实结合智能展示交互和智慧化平台建设等活化关键技术的发展现状、前沿动态、热点问题和发展趋势进行分析和综述。在文化遗产收集理解方面,针对复杂文物数字化所存在的瓶颈问题,介绍数字化采集与重建关键技术;介绍文化遗产元素、主题和风格等特征提取算法,分析文化遗产的构图特征、分布特征、色彩特征和造型特征等数字化模拟过程中的关键技术,介绍基于语义特征分析、理解和识别的文化遗产理解及建设关键技术。对比和分析传统图形图像处理和深度学习方法在民族文化数字化仿真过程的优缺点,比较算法特点和算法效率...     

A systematic literature review of empirical evidence on computer games and serious games

This paper examines the literature on computer games and serious games in regard to the potential positive impacts of gaming on users aged 14 years or above, especially with respect to learning, skill enhancement and engagement. Search terms identified 129 papers reporting empirical evidence about the impacts and outcomes of computer games and serious games with respect to learning and engagement and a multidimensional approach to categorizing games was developed. The findings revealed that playing computer games is linked to a range of perceptual, cognitive, behavioural, affective and motivational impacts and outcomes. The most frequently occurring outcomes and impacts were knowledge acquisition/content understanding and affective and motivational outcomes. The range of indicators and measures used in the included papers are discussed, together with methodological limitations and recommendations for further work in this area.     

基于图像的几何建模技术综述

三维建模是计算机图形学与计算机视觉领域研究的重要问题.近年来,基于图像的三维建模技术因其成本低、操作简单、逼真性高等优势,逐渐得到研究者的重视,相关研究成果也被广泛应用于文物数字保护、智能人机交互、数字特效制作、实时监控等领域,具有极其重要的研究意义与实用价值.基于图像的建模研究由单一图像、图像序列或视频中,通过自动或交互的方式,恢复出物体、场景三维模型的方法.而基于图像的建模首先需要解决的核心问题是基于图像的几何建模问题.它主要研究的是如何从图像中恢复出物体或场景的三维几何信息.而该技术领域当前综述性文章的缺乏成为其发展的制约因素.因此,对基于图像的几何建模技术进行了综述性的分析与讨论.侧重从计算机视觉的角度,按照建模时所使用视觉线索信息的区别,对目前主流的基于图像几何建模方法进行了归类;分别对各类方法进行了基本原理探讨与研究现状介绍,并作了较深入的对比分析与讨论;最后,经过对现有研究工作的分析,对该领域存在的问题作出了总结,并对其未来可能的发展与研究方向给出了一些预测性建议.     

网络游戏与青少年犯罪

网络游戏是近年来兴起的一个新的娱乐方式和新兴产业,青少年网络游戏成瘾的现象越来越严重,而由网络游戏诱发的青少年犯罪也频频发生。本文从网络游戏本身的特点和青少年自身特点出发,深入分析网络游戏对青少年犯罪的影响。最后提出相应的应对措施。     

Computer agents versus avatars: Responses to interactive game characters controlled by a computer or other player

Computer and videogames often require that users interact with other characters on the screen that represent other real people or characters that are controlled by computer code running within the game. The difference between game play with other avatars (player-controlled characters) or agents (characters controlled by the computer) may influence the engagement a game player experiences. This study investigated the effects of agency (avatar versus agent) and the type of gaming activity (competition versus cooperation) on physiological arousal and subjective evaluation of play. A 2 (avatar, agent)×2 (competition, cooperation) within-subject experiment was conducted (N=32). Players exhibited greater physiological arousal to otherwise identical interactions when other characters were introduced as an avatar rather than an agent. Furthermore, the co-player's source of agency interacted with the type of gaming activity. The results have implications for understanding how different forms of representation in virtual worlds and games will affect psychological responses in the contexts of entertainment, learning and the conduct of serious work.     

元宇宙下的智慧博物馆研究进展

中华民族拥有五千年的灿烂文化,各民族在各个历史阶段创造出的文物是中华民族繁荣昌盛的见证。博物馆作为文物收藏、文化展示的公共平台,在我国文化传承的过程中起着重要作用,随着科技的发展,当前博物馆已经步入智慧化建设时代。本文对数字化采集技术、文物真实感重建技术、虚拟结合智能交互和智慧平台建设等关键技术进行了对比分析,对诸多数字博物馆与艺术机构的案例进行了比较研究,对在元宇宙下建设智慧博物馆的发展趋势进行了展望。元宇宙技术融入智慧博物馆建设,是把握新一轮科技革命和产业变革新机遇的战略方向,有利于博物馆的数字化建设,有利于保护和发展中国优秀传统文化,对促进文化繁荣、构筑文化自信以及建设文化强国具有重要意义。     

Acceptance and use of virtual reality games: an extension of HMSAM

Virtual reality (VR) is considered as one of the technological megatrends of 2020s, and today, VR systems are used in various settings, digital gaming being among the most popular ones. However, there has been a dearth of understanding regarding the central factors behind VR gaming acceptance and use. The present study therefore aimed to explain the factors that drive the use and acceptance of VR games. We extended the hedonic-motivation system acceptance model with utilitarian and inconvenience factors to capture the pertinent features of VR systems more holistically. We proposed a theoretical model and analyzed it through covariance-based structural equation modeling using an online survey sample of 473 VR gamers. Our findings help explain the role of different antecedents behind VR gaming acceptance and demonstrate that VR gaming is driven more by the hedonic gaming aspects than by the utilitarian health and well-being aspects of VR games, enjoyment being the strongest driver behind VR gaming intention and immersion. Moreover, findings also suggested that use intentions and immersion levels are not significantly diminished by physical discomfort and VR sickness. The findings, which potentially extend to other VR systems as well, also pose important implications for the providers of VR games. As the main contribution, based on our empirical findings, we provide a greater theoretical understanding on VR gaming acceptance and use.

     

A concept map-embedded educational computer game for improving students' learning performance in natural science courses

Many recent studies have reported the benefits of educational computer games in promoting students' learning motivations. On the other hand, however, the effect of digital game-based learning in improving students' learning performance has been questioned. Several previous studies have reported that without properly integrating learning strategies into gaming scenarios, the effectiveness of educational computer games could be limited, or may be even worse than that of the conventional technology-enhanced learning approach. In this study, a concept map-embedded gaming approach is proposed for developing educational computer games by integrating concept mapping as part of the gaming scenarios to help students organize what they have learned during the game-based learning process. Moreover, a role-playing game has been developed for an elementary school natural science course based on the proposed approach. From the experimental results, it is found that the concept map-embedded gaming approach can significantly improve the students' learning achievement and decrease their cognitive load. Moreover, the students who learned with the proposed approach revealed a significantly higher degree of perceived usefulness than those who learned with the conventional game-based learning approach.     

Sense of Immersion in Computer Games Using Single and Stereoscopic Augmented Reality

As a novel interaction and presentation technology, Augmented Reality (AR) has been widely used in education, tourism, entertainment, psychology, and many other applications. In the game industry, this revolutionary technology has introduced a new form of interaction between players and the gaming environment. In this article, we aim to find if exploiting AR in computer games can enhance the sense of immersion, and consequently, satisfying the players. To this end, a mobile game called Ladybug is implemented using three different techniques including the regular virtual reality (VR) camera, single AR camera, and stereoscopic AR camera. The results of a comprehensive user study on these techniques showed that the single AR camera and stereoscopic AR camera can result in more sense of immersion in players in comparison to the VR camera. However, the hypothesis that the stereoscopic AR results in more sense of presence in comparison to the single AR camera is rejected. On the other hand, our findings show that the AR stereoscopic camera can lead to a better emotional involvement and enjoyment in comparison to the single AR camera and VR camera.     

虚拟现实的支付研究与设计

近几年来,虚拟现实（Virtual Reality,VR）技术发展迅猛,成为炙手可热的新兴行业.VR硬件已达到基本成熟的阶段,VR应用也应势成为新的掘金点,在影视娱乐、游戏、教育等各个领域都得到了广泛的应用.但在支付领域,市场暂无优秀的VR支付解决方案.本文基于虚拟现实的支付研究,旨在利用token技术,通过VR设备内安全模块加密保护银行卡数据和支付数据,并利用3D建模技术构建沉浸式VR支付场景,以寻求安全、便捷、开放的VR支付方案.研究结果表明,该设计解决了现今VR支付产品交互难、安全性低的问题,并且有效提高了支付成功率.     

The influence of collaboration styles to children’s cognitive performance in digital problem-solving game “William Adventure”: A comparative case study

Since a large variety of digital games have been used in many fields for educational purposes, their real functions in learning have caught much attention as well. This study first defines learning characteristics of problem-solving digital games and their corresponding cognitive levels, then designs and develops a problem-solving game in accordance to the criteria. Tasks in the game context are inter-related to each other so that players need to critically and creatively think about problem solutions. Learners’ task analyses are performed to observe four elementary learners’ gaming paths, behaviors and cognitive activities, individually and collaboratively. System documentation, video recording, researcher observation, and interviews are conducted to analyze learners’ learning strategies and their cognitive performance during the gaming process.