Relationships can be fostered between older persons and grandchildren through inter-generational gameplay. The key challenges are to set out methodologies for designing these interactions to stimulate inter-generational gameplay. Design methodologies to define these interactions are open for critical discussion because the domain of defining a design process for inter-generational gameplay remains open for future research.
Reference Information
Vanden Abeele, V., & Schutter, B. (2010). Designing inter-generational play via enactive interaction, competition and acceleration. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 14(5), 425–433. doi:10.1007/s00779-009-0262-3
Summary
This paper investigated the relationship between the need for a design process; a defined methodology; an identification of specific interaction goals; and designing games to meet specific design criteria. The paper focused on the development of design constructs for inter-generational play and validating these constructs through empirical studies and methodical measures. While the earlier paper that I reviewed discussed: the relevance of “behavioural characteristics” in inter-generational gameplay; this paper discussed the value of a structured “needs-based design process” for defining design decisions in the design of inter-generational game experiences. The authors identified the advantages of “enactive interaction”; proposed the correlation between “competition” and “social interaction” using Schultz’s (1958) fundamental interpersonal relationship orientation (FIRO) theory; defined three design rationales (DRs) for inter-generational gameplay; and presented a study to validate their mini-game in relation to the DRs.
Discussion
While the population of the elderly is a growing reality, the authors indicate that prior research exposes the lack of suitable games specifically designed for this population. The advancement in medical sciences leading to longevity in humans does not result in a corresponding decline in the level of activity of older adults. The authors indicated that the games that focused on inter-generational games were few. Cueball, Age Invaders, Distributed Hide-and-Seek were a few games that catered to the mix of inter-generational gaming. Additionally, the paper identified that the e-Treasure Research project focused on developing the digital game Blast from the Past, by means of a player-centred design
Based on ethnographic research and participatory design process of the e-Treasure project, the authors developed three design rationales for inter-generational play. Physical skills, exposure to digital technology and experience limitations with digital appliances were three attributes that were looked at from the point of balancing these attributes. The authors indicated that inter-generational physical mini-games needed to consider the sensory, motor and cognitive challenges of the older demographic.
Interestingly, the theory of “enactive knowledge” ie. Knowledge stored in the form of motor responses and acquired and by the act of doing (Brunner S., 1966), using the previous experience of motor actions or gestures, was used by the authors to define their first design rationale (DR1). According to the authors instead of having the older players memorize complex sequences of steps to playing a game; certain motor actions from experiences if mapped onto a game would help reduce the cognitive load on the older players.
| Item | Rationale | Explanation | Example |
| Design Rationale1 | Design for Enactive Interaction
In order to stimulate physical play between generations, the game should offer enactive interaction.
|
To offer enactive interaction, the game should rely on existing mental models of everyday life experiences, addressing well-known physical actions and provide clear digital affordances. | Rowing a boat, hammering a nail etc |
| Design Rational 2 | Design for competition:
To foster Social interaction between generations, the game should stimulate competition Ease of use Equality ease of use Visibility of player action |
to stimulate competition, the game should offer
a goal that can only be achieved by one player, to the exclusion of other competitors; offer non-parallel play where players directly influence the actions of others |
Distinction between parallel play and non-parallel play (Mueller et al., 2008) |
| Design Rationale 3 | Design for Acceleration:
To stimulate inter-generational play, the game should rely on the acceleration sensor system. |
to design for the acceleration sensor system, games should avoid complex, multistep actions and rather choose simple but fierce movements that result in straightforward actions | Fierce motor actions |
I was really intrigued by the way authors connected social interaction to Shultz’s FIRO (1958) theory which states that human behaviour is influenced by three interpersonal needs: inclusion (being part of a group), affection (closeness within the group) and control (influence the actions of others in a group). This paper informed me about the complex relationships’ based on interpersonal needs that influence the behaviour of people indulging in a group activity. The way in which the authors inferred that competitive play facilitated by non-parallel activities affording social interaction was remarkable.
| Study Design | Description | Comments |
| Hypothesis
|
Evaluate the DR1, DR2 and DR3 in the context of inter-generational gameplay | Paired adults and younger children to play 4 commercial mini-games (Mario Party- Breakneck Building- Surf’s Way Up- Lob to Rob- Frozen Assets) |
| Pilot study | No pilot study was indicated in the paper. | |
| Participants | 5 seniors, 5 youngsters. The age group of the younger players was not specified | 3 grandparent-grandchild relationships; 2 were acquaintances. |
| Method | Each game that was selected had varying levels of enactive interaction, competition and influence of sensor systems | Qualitative pseudo-experiment |
| Time interval | The Time interval of game activity was not indicated. | 60 min was for the second study |
| Materials | Mario Party- Breakneck Building- Surf’s Way Up- Lob to Rob- Frozen Assets; Questionnaires, video recorders | |
| Procedure | Introduction; play all 4 games twice, followed by ratings | |
| Measures | User Observations and Ranking exercise, short questionnaire | |
| Findings | Games high in enactive interaction were the favourites of the younger and older players |
It was also interesting to note that the authors identified the challenges faced by the older adults in achieving precision through game actions such as pointing, focusing, selecting, button presses and precise steps. The above games were selected with a focus on minimizing the need to remember steps, minimizing the reliance on the accuracy of selection of steps, and minimizing the need for focused accurate actions. Hence, this selection was geared towards balancing the skills of the older adults with the younger players.
The authors designed their own gamed called Automium adhering to the DRs; they evaluated the experiences, perceptions, and feelings about the game, especially with relation to the refined design rationales. In the four trials played, the competitive play was observed between two pairs of players consisting of a senior and a younger player.
Conclusion
The key contribution of this paper is identifying the needs of the players (younger and older players), defining design rationales based on the needs of the player and designing games to suit the needs of the players. The game selection was based on specific design criteria, and the game designed by the authors were also designed to the design rationales (DRs). Hence, this paper informs us that trying to map a game for a specific demographic, let alone an inter-generational group demands the definition of design objectives that meet the needs of the users/stakeholders involved. Enactive interaction extended to gameplay as opposed to repetitive physical actions, was also one of the most useful constructs in this paper. The reliance on enactive interactions diverted the need for precision, competency of actions and cognitive efficiency from the older players. This made the gameplay more fun and engaging. Hence, designing games for acceleration, competition and enactive interaction help to focus on designing games to the skills of the player to make games more immersive and fun.