Project 1: Game Observation Experiment

IE179: Gender and Computer Games
Spring 2005

Overview

This project is an introduction play observation and testing. The assignment is to plan, carry out, and analyze a game observation experiment. This project represents 10% of your grade.

Objectives

The objectives of this project are to learn to organize and carry out play observation and testing. Through this exercise you develop a set of skills that helps you gain insight in how players experience a game. What do players desire, why do they like (or not like) certain aspects of games in play, and how can you mobilize these preferences to build "better" games? The exercise will also force you to think through what "better" game might be, paying particular attention to gender differences in game playing. Your report will inform your next exercise.

Project 1 Schedule

Date	Assignment Due	Classwork	Assignment
Thu 1/20/05		Project 1 description Brainstorming exercise	Project 1 Proposal
Tue 1/25/05	Project 1 Proposal	Lab: Experiment run through 1	Run through 1 evaluation and presentation
Thu 1/27/05	Run through 1 evaluations and presentation	Evaluation presentation Experiment selection	Run through 2 evaluation and recommendations
Tue 2/1/05	Run through 2 evaluation and recommendations	Lecture: Finalize experiment Lab: Conduct experiment	Project 1 Report
Thu 2/3/05	Project 1 Final Report

Proposal

Come up with a question you want to address about gendered play of board games. Choose three or four games that might enable you to explore this question. Discuss the games and choose one. Record this process including your question, your initial and final game choices, and your rationale. Also record your assumptions and observation parameters. Remember: you should strive for a question/hypothesis that is provacative, challenging, and one that can evoke new insights. Link this proposal from your team's wiki page.

Run Through 1

You will run through your proposed experiment with another team from class. During the run through you will observe and makes notes. Afterwards you and your team will evaluate the experiment. Did it answer your question, confirm your hypothesis, and/or provide new insights. Should your experiment be considered for the final class experiment? Prepare a brief presentation to discuss your analysis in class. Link your presentation to your team's wiki page.

Run Through 2

You will run through the experiment that has been selected in class. To do this you'll need to find four volunteers to play the game for a half an hour or so. During gameplay you should observe and take notes. Afterwards you and your team should assess the experiment and make recommendations for improvements. These should be recorded on the wiki page.

Final Report

Requirements to be announced.