A model of cognitive loads in massively multiplayer online role playing games

Abstract

Being one of the most commercially successful entertainment software applications, massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) continue to expand in term of the revenue they generate as well as the involvement of users who congregate in their virtual space and form communities around them to support each other. Unlike conventional offline computer games, or networked games with limited numbers of players, MMORPGs are not merely software applications as they are usually seen as a space with complicated dynamics of social interactions. Hence, it is believed that playing these games might cause cognitive overload problems among the players as they have to constantly interact with the game world as well as with other users. We conducted an exploratory study using qualitative methods to explore cognitive overloads in Maple Story, a typical MMORPG. Our results reveal that several types of cognitive overloads emerge during the game playing. While some of these overloads pose serious problems even to expert players, players seem to develop strategies to overcome them. It is found that some forms of cognitive load are actually desirable in order to make the game challenging. We have also created a set of recommendations that can help game developers handle cognitive load problems in MMORPGs.

Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming

“…Two studies were qualitative, with a qualitative observational study focusing on the cognitive overloads of players (Ang et al 2006), and the other an analysis of players' accounts of their gaming experiences that they had posted to online forums (Chappell et al 2006), both with very small sample sizes (n=3, n=14) and subjective analyses. Only one study involved a brain scan using cases and controls.…”

“…Studies spanned the years from 2005 to 2009: there were three studies from 2005 (Ko et al 2005;Lo et al 2005;Williams and Skoric 2005); five studies from 2006 (Yee 2006;Chappell et al 2006;Williams 2006;Eastin and Griffiths 2006;Ang et al 2006); three studies from 2007 (Grüsser et al 2007;Wei 2007;Smyth 2007); three studies from 2008 (Hussain and Griffiths 2008;Kim et al 2008;Peters and Malesky 2008); and two from 2009 (Ko et al 2009;Hart et al 2009). …”

“…Five studies focused solely on adolescents; with one study of gamers in their pre-teens to 20s (Wei, 2007); two studies of teenagers (Ko et al 2005;Ang et al 2006); and two of gamers in their teens to early twenties (Lo et al 2005;Smyth 2007). One study involved participants in their twenties (Ko et al 2009); while six studies included large age spans, including gamers from teenage to 30 years and over (Williams 2006;Eastin and Griffiths 2006;Hussain and Griffiths 2008;Hart et al 2009;Williams and Skoric 2005;Peters and Malesky 2008).…”

The effects of students' motivation, cognitive load and learning anxiety in gamification software engineering education: a structural equation modeling study

“…Apparently, innovative teaching material design seems highly acceptable to students and could easily generate student learning motivation. (2) To teachers: our research shows that gamification could assist in game-based learning design and translate into a direct effect upon student learning motivation. Consequently, it is suggested that teachers apply gamification teaching aids, in addition to textbooks, to their instruction, so that students may, more productively, review what they have learned through games.…”

Effectiveness of an accounting videogame in terms of attributes, motivation and learning outcomes

“…These multimedia representations reduce the cognitive demands on players' limited capacities and simultaneously develop visual or spatial analysis skills. (Ang, Zaphiris, & Mahmooh, 2007), (de Felix & Johnson, 1993), (Hays, 2005), (Huang et alii, 2013) 10.Feedback Refers to the measurement of achievement during the game. Feedback provides a tool for players to learn from previous actions and adjust accordingly.…”