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Complexity, Fun, and Robots

Warmke, Daniel A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565298442450712

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Mass Communication (Communication).
All else being equal, are games with a complex task resolution system more fun than those without? This mixed methods control experiment sought to resolve that. 46 individuals were recruited from environments with higher than average board game knowledge (a pop culture convention and a university video game research lab) and played a two-player board game. One group of participants played a game with a single step resolution mechanic while the other played a game with a multi-step resolution mechanic. Quantitative results indicate that there were no statistically significant differences in player enjoyment or complexity between these two versions. In qualitative survey results taken after the subjects were exposed to the other variant and the purpose of the study was made clear the participants indicated a strong preference for the multi-step variant. From this we conclude 1) Participants did not perceive added steps (procedural complexity) as complexity, 2) Participants may consider “complex” games and mechanics to be more virtuous or desirable than “simple” ones, and 3) Frequent game players did not have significantly different reactions to games of varying complexities than non-frequent.
Greg Newton (Committee Chair)
Drew McDaniel (Committee Member)
John Bowditch (Committee Member)
96 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Communication; Mass Media
complexity; fun; ludology; board games; dice; delayed gratification; flow; procedural complexity; prediction error

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Warmke, D. A. (2019). Complexity, Fun, and Robots [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565298442450712

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Warmke, Daniel. Complexity, Fun, and Robots. 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565298442450712.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Warmke, Daniel. "Complexity, Fun, and Robots." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565298442450712

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1565298442450712
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.