Yaniv Corem
ABSTRACT
In this paper we explore mastery, a powerful intrinsic motivator, and its relationship to player engagement in a mobile skill-based game platform (Skillz.com). More specifically, we present a unique Elo-based rating system for quickly matching players with similar skill levels, which results in fair tournaments. Our rating system assigns a player with a relative rating that predicts how well they will do against another player. In an n-player game, the players with higher ratings have a higher likelihood of winning against those with lower ratings. We show that a system that promotes fairness allows players to improve by competing against players close to their skill level, which in turn promotes a sense of mastery. We show that when players feel they are improving, their engagement in the game increases. Finally, we discuss the implications of our approach for increasing fairness in gamification by matching users and tasks based on skill level.
- Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., and Nacke, L. From game design elements to gamefulness: defining "gamification." Proc. MindTrek '11, ACM Press (2011), 9--15. Google Scholar
Digital Library
- Deterding, S., Sicart, M., Nacke, L., O'Hara, K., and Dixon, D. Gamification: Using game-design elements in nongaming contexts. Proc. CHI EA '11, ACM Press (2011), 2425--2428. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Elo Rating System (2013). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elo_rating_systemGoogle Scholar
- Fisher Random Chess (2013). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess960Google Scholar
- Kim, A. J., Gamification Workshop: Designing the Player Journey. http://goo.gl/BWyP1, 2011.Google Scholar
- Kohn, A. Punished by Rewards, The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA, USA, 1993/1999.Google Scholar
- Kumar, JM. and Herger, M. Gamification at Work: Designing Engaging Business Software. The Interaction Design Foundation, 2013. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Minesweeper (2013). http://bit.ly/lqHYl8Google Scholar
- Online Skill-Based Games (2013). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_skill-based_gameGoogle Scholar
- Paharia, R. Loyalty 3.0: How to Revolutionize Customer and Employee Engagement with Big Data and Gamification. McGraw-Hill, 2013.Google Scholar
- Przybylski, A. K., Rigby C. S., & Ryan, R. M. A motivational model of video game engagement. Review of General Psychology (2010), 14, 154--166.Google Scholar
- Richard M. Ryan, Edward L. Deci, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions, Contemporary Educational Psychology, Volume 25, Issue 1, January 2000, 54--67.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Skillz (2013). http://skillz.com/corporate/Google Scholar
- Werbach, K. and Hunter D. For the Win: How Game Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Business. Wharton Digital Press, 2012.Google Scholar
- Yee, N. The Demographics, Motivations and Derived Experiences of Users of Massively-Multiuser Online Graphical Environments. PRESENCE: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments (2006), 15, 309--329. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Zichermann, G. and Cunningham, C. Gamification by Design: Implementing Game Mechanics in Web and Mobile Apps. O'Reilly, Sebastopol, 2011. Google ScholarDigital Library
Index Terms
- Got skillz?: player matching, mastery, and engagement in skill-based games
Recommendations
From game design elements to gamefulness: defining "gamification"
MindTrek '11: Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek Conference: Envisioning Future Media EnvironmentsRecent years have seen a rapid proliferation of mass-market consumer software that takes inspiration from video games. Usually summarized as "gamification", this trend connects to a sizeable body of existing concepts and research in human-computer ...
Challenging games help students learn
In this paper, we investigate the impact of flow (operationalized as heightened challenge and skill), engagement, and immersion on learning in game-based learning environments. The data was gathered through a survey from players (N = 173) of two ...
Exploring sociality and engagement in play through game-control distribution
Special Issue: The multiple faces of Social Intelligence DesignThis study explores how distributing the controls of a video game among multiple players affects the sociality and engagement experienced in game play. A video game was developed in which the distribution of game controls among the players could be ...
Comments