Browsing by Author "Smeddinck, J. D."

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    Involving Users and Experts in Motion-Based Game Design for Older Adults
    (2013) Gerling, K. M.; Smeddinck, J. D.
    Motion-based video games have a variety of positive effects on older adults, but their design remains challenging. Traditional game design often turns towards a user-centered design process, and game design experts are readily available. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of this approach in motion-based game design for older adults. We identify core challenges and show how users and experts can be involved in the design process to help game developers create safe, accessible and enjoyable motion-based games for older adults.
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    Visual Complexity, Player Experience, Performance and Physical Exertion in Motion-Based Games for Older Adults
    (ACM, 2013) Smeddinck, J. D.; Gerling, K. M.; Tiemkeo, S.
    Motion-based video games can have a variety of benefits for the players and are increasingly applied in physical therapy, rehabilitation and prevention for older adults. However, little is known about how this audience experiences playing such games, how the player experience affects the way older adults interact with motion-based games, and how this can relate to therapy goals. In our work, we decompose the player experience of older adults engaging with motion-based games, focusing on the effects of manipulations of the game representation through the visual channel (visual complexity), since it is the primary interaction modality of most games and since vision impairments are common amongst older adults. We examine the effects of different levels of visual complexity on player experience, performance, and exertion in a study with fifteen participants. Our results show that visual complexity affects the way games are perceived in two ways: First, while older adults do have preferences in terms of visual complexity of video games, notable effects were only measurable following drastic variations. Second, perceived exertion shifts depending on the degree of visual complexity. These findings can help inform the design of motion-based games for therapy and rehabilitation for older adults.