How Points and Theme Affect Performance and Experience in a Gamified Cognitive Task

Wiley, Katelyn; Vedress, Sarah; Mandryk, Regan L.

doi:10.1145/3313831.3376697

Cited by 20 publications

(32 citation statements)

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“…However, caution must be taken when introducing game elements to cognitive tasks owing to the risk of muddying the measurement of the targeted cognitive process [ 28 ]. Cognitive tasks are very sensitive to manipulation—even basic tasks (eg, Stroop task, dot-probe task) are extensively studied to understand the effects of making small changes to the task paradigm [ 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cognitive tasks are very sensitive to manipulation—even basic tasks (eg, Stroop task, dot-probe task) are extensively studied to understand the effects of making small changes to the task paradigm [ 29 ]. Adding game-based elements to basic cognitive tasks could affect performance and experience in unintended ways [ 28 ]. Studies on how gamification of cognitive tasks affect behavior have shown mixed results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies on how gamification of cognitive tasks affect behavior have shown mixed results. For example, adding points (a common gamification technique) to a task has been shown to increase engagement [ 28 , 30 - 32 ] and improve performance, such as by facilitating faster reaction times [ 24 , 28 ]. However, the inclusion of points has also shown to increase error rates in a dot-probe task [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, adding points (a common gamification technique) to a task has been shown to increase engagement [ 28 , 30 - 32 ] and improve performance, such as by facilitating faster reaction times [ 24 , 28 ]. However, the inclusion of points has also shown to increase error rates in a dot-probe task [ 28 ]. Adding thematic elements and complex graphics has been shown to lead to decreased performance: for example, in a go-no-go task, the use of cowboy characters resulted in worse performance compared with a control (green and red objects) [ 31 ], and the use of zombie characters resulted in worse performance compared with a control (circles and squares) [ 33 ], likely because the stimuli were not as simple to discriminate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effective Gamification of the Stop-Signal Task: Two Controlled Laboratory Experiments

et al. 2020

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Background A lack of ability to inhibit prepotent responses, or more generally a lack of impulse control, is associated with several disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia as well as general damage to the prefrontal cortex. A stop-signal task (SST) is a reliable and established measure of response inhibition. However, using the SST as an objective assessment in diagnostic or research-focused settings places significant stress on participants as the task itself requires concentration and cognitive effort and is not particularly engaging. This can lead to decreased motivation to follow task instructions and poor data quality, which can affect assessment efficacy and might increase drop-out rates. Gamification—the application of game-based elements in nongame settings—has shown to improve engaged attention to a cognitive task, thus increasing participant motivation and data quality. Objective This study aims to design a gamified SST that improves participants’ engagement and validate this gamified SST against a standard SST. Methods We described the design of our gamified SST and reported on 2 separate studies that aim to validate the gamified SST relative to a standard SST. In study 1, a within-subject design was used to compare the performance of the SST and a stop-signal game (SSG). In study 2, we added eye tracking to the procedure to determine if overt attention was affected and aimed to replicate the findings from study 1 in a between-subjects design. Furthermore, in both studies, flow and motivational experiences were measured. Results In contrast, the behavioral performance was comparable between the tasks (P<.87; BF01=2.87), and the experience of flow and intrinsic motivation were rated higher in the SSG group, although this difference was not significant. Conclusions Overall, our findings provide evidence that the gamification of SST is possible and that the SSG is enjoyed more. Thus, when participant engagement is critical, we recommend using the SSG instead of the SST.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effective Gamification of the Stop-Signal Task: Two Controlled Laboratory Experiments

et al. 2020

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“…Considering classical gaming behavioral studies we can refer to game design that activate children to play outdoors [101], study on the effect of 'gamification' of cognitive tasks [143] or observation of gaming experience as an indication of cognitive abilities [52]. We are not aware of any non-orthodox gaming behavioral studies.…”

Section: :26 • De Winkel Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Battery-Free Game Boy

Winkel

Kortbeek

Hester

et al. 2020

Proc. ACM Interact. Mob. Wearable Ubiquitous Technol.

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We present ENGAGE, the first battery-free, personal mobile gaming device powered by energy harvested from the gamer actions and sunlight. Our design implements a power failure resilient Nintendo Game Boy emulator that can run off-the-shelf classic Game Boy games like Tetris or Super Mario Land. This emulator is capable of intermittent operation by tracking memory usage, avoiding the need for always checkpointing all volatile memory, and decouples the game loop from user interface mechanics allowing for restoration after power failure. We build custom hardware that harvests energy from gamer button presses and sunlight, and leverages a mixed volatility memory architecture for efficient intermittent emulation of game binaries. Beyond a fun toy, our design represents the first battery-free system design for continuous user attention despite frequent power failures caused by intermittent energy harvesting. We tackle key challenges in intermittent computing for interaction including seamless displays and dynamic incentive-based gameplay for energy harvesting. This work provides a reference implementation and framework for a future of battery-free mobile gaming in a more sustainable Internet of Things. CCS Concepts: • Human-centered computing → Handheld game consoles; • Hardware → Renewable energy; • Computer systems organization → Embedded systems;

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Assessment of cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis using smartphone-based training games: a feasibility study

et al. 2023

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Background Cognitive impairment occurs in up to 70% of people with MS (pwMS) and has a large impact on quality of life and working capacity. As part of the development of a smartphone-app (dreaMS) for monitoring MS disease activity and progression, we assessed the feasibility and acceptance of using cognitive games as assessment tools for cognitive domains. Methods We integrated ten cognitive games in the dreaMS app. Participants were asked to play these games twice a week for 5 weeks. All subjects underwent a battery of established neuropsychological tests. User feedback on acceptance was obtained via a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. We correlated game performance measures with predetermined reference tests (Spearman’s rho) and analyzed differences between pwMS and Healthy Controls (rank biserial correlation). Results We included 31 pwMS (mean age 43.4 ± 12.0 years; 68% females; median Expanded Disability Status Scale score 3.0, range 1.0–6.0) and 31 age- and sex-matched HC. All but one game showed moderate–strong correlations with their reference tests, (|rs|= 0.34–0.77). Performance improved in both groups over the 5 weeks. Average ratings for overall impression and meaningfulness were 4.6 (range 4.2–4.9) and 4.7 (range 4.5–4.8), respectively. Conclusion Moderate–strong correlations with reference tests suggest that adaptive cognitive games may be used as measures of cognitive domains. The practice effects observed suggest that game-derived measures may capture change over time. All games were perceived as enjoyable and meaningful, features crucial for long-term adherence. Our results encourage further validation of adaptive cognitive games as monitoring tools for cognition in larger studies of longer duration. Study Register ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04413032.

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How Points and Theme Affect Performance and Experience in a Gamified Cognitive Task

Cited by 20 publications

References 84 publications

Effective Gamification of the Stop-Signal Task: Two Controlled Laboratory Experiments

Effective Gamification of the Stop-Signal Task: Two Controlled Laboratory Experiments

Battery-Free Game Boy

Assessment of cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis using smartphone-based training games: a feasibility study

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