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Game Design and the Challenge-Avoiding, Self-Validator Player Type

Game Design and the Challenge-Avoiding, Self-Validator Player Type

Carrie Heeter, Brian Magerko, Ben Medler, Joe Fitzgerald
Copyright: © 2009 |Volume: 1 |Issue: 3 |Pages: 15
ISSN: 1942-3888|EISSN: 1942-3896|ISSN: 1948-5026|EISBN13: 9781616920906|EISSN: 1942-3896|DOI: 10.4018/jgcms.2009070104
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MLA

Heeter, Carrie, et al. "Game Design and the Challenge-Avoiding, Self-Validator Player Type." IJGCMS vol.1, no.3 2009: pp.53-67. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgcms.2009070104

APA

Heeter, C., Magerko, B., Medler, B., & Fitzgerald, J. (2009). Game Design and the Challenge-Avoiding, Self-Validator Player Type. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS), 1(3), 53-67. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgcms.2009070104

Chicago

Heeter, Carrie, et al. "Game Design and the Challenge-Avoiding, Self-Validator Player Type," International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations (IJGCMS) 1, no.3: 53-67. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgcms.2009070104

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Abstract

Achiever and Explorer player types are well known in MMOs and educational games. Players who enjoy being a winner, but dislike hard challenges (“Self-Validators”) are a heretofore ignored but commonly occurring player type. Self-Validators worry about and are distressed by failing. They can simply avoid playing overly difficult games for entertainment. But in a required learning game, Self-Validators’ excessive worry about failing can interfere with learning. The authors consider whether and how eight very different modern games accommodate Explorers, Achievers, and Self-Validators and discuss implications for entertainment and learning game design and research. Seven of eight diverse games analyzed primarily served either the Explorer or Achiever player type. Self-Validators were partially accommodated in some Achiever-oriented games, through user-selectable difficulty. Design with all three types in mind would encourage inclusion of features that enable players to optimize their preferred style of play.

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