Influence of Game Elements: Investigation in Player Navigation in Open World Game Environments
Author
Grinder-Hansen, Arne
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2013
Submitted on
2013-09-25
Pages
59
Abstract
Computerspil bruger ofte elementer i omgivelserne, som objekter og andre miljømæssige spor, til at hjælpe spillere med at finde vej. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan sådanne elementer fungerer i åbne spilverdener, og hvordan de kan designes til at støtte navigation mere naturligt. En åben testverden blev opbygget med udgangspunkt i brugerundersøgelser og teori om spil, og spillere blev bedt om at spille, udfylde et spørgeskema og lade sig observere. Ved at analysere deres reaktioner identificerede studiet mønstre i, hvordan spillere reagerer på udvalgte spillelementer under navigation. Med grounded theory (en metode, der bygger forklaringer direkte på data) foreslår afhandlingen grundlaget for en praktisk ramme til at bruge miljømæssige spor til at guide spillere gennem åbne verdener. Resultaterne peger også på, at subtil guidning kan understøtte fortællingen i spil og hjælpe designere med at lede spillere uden at få bevægelsen til at føles påtvunget.
Video games often rely on environmental elements, such as objects and other cues, to help players find their way. This thesis examines how those elements work in open-world games and how they can be designed to guide navigation more naturally. An open-world test environment was built, drawing on user studies and theory about games, and players were asked to play, complete a survey, and be observed. By analyzing their reactions, the study identified patterns in how players respond to selected game elements while navigating. Using grounded theory (a method that builds explanations directly from data), it proposes the foundations of a practical framework for using environmental cues to guide players through open worlds. The results also suggest that subtle guidance can support game narratives, helping designers steer players without making movement feel forced.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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