Leveraging Asymmetries in Multiplayer Games

Harris, Judy; Hancock, Mark; Scott, Stacey D.

doi:10.1145/2967934.2968113

Cited by 58 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…These interactions of HMD players with non-HMD players can be considered a type of asymmetry: a difference in the interface with which users interact with the VE. However, while asymmetry of player interfaces is increasingly common in VR experiences (rooted in cross-reality paradigms), there are many other asymmetry types that can be designed (Harris et al, 2016). Asymmetric games explicitly incorporate and design for differences between players in how they interact with the game, and for the abilities and information the players possess within the game world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Best-Fit Framework and Systematic Review of Asymmetric Gameplay in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Games

Rogers

Karaosmanoglu

Wolf

et al. 2021

Front. Virtual Real.

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Increasingly, virtual reality (VR) design and research leverages gameplay asymmetries, flattening discrepancies of interface, abilities, information or other aspects between players. A common goal is to induce social interactions that draw players without head-mounted displays into a shared game world. Exploring these asymmetries resulted in many artifacts, creating an innovative yet disparate research landscape that showcases points for improvement in coverage of the field and theoretical underpinnings. In this article, we present a literature review of asymmetry in multiplayer VR games, using a framework synthesis method to assess the field through a lens of existing literature on asymmetries in gameplay. We provide an overview of this emerging subfield and identify gaps and opportunities for future research. Moreover, we discuss how research artifacts address prior theoretical work and present a “best fit” framework of asymmetric multiplayer VR games for the community to build upon.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Best-Fit Framework and Systematic Review of Asymmetric Gameplay in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Games

Rogers

Karaosmanoglu

Wolf

et al. 2021

Front. Virtual Real.

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show abstract

“…The experience will now be put into the perspective of asymmetric gameplay. According to Harris et al (2016), there are six mechanical manipulations that designers can employ in order to give rise to asymmetric gameplay experiences (Hunicke, Leblanc, & Zubek, 2005).…”

Section: Mechanicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a collaborative process, the interdependence between participants is crucial to the dynamics experienced at run-time. The actor must coordinate with the assistant in asymmetric VR and contribute to the problem-solving or critical thinking where they are required in order to meet the shared goal of the collaboration (Harris, Hancock, & Scott, 2016). This relationship is described by the directional dependence and the synchronicity between participants.…”

Section: Limitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the MDA framework, the component of aesthetics aims to provide more objective descriptions to the profile of the game constituted by mechanics and dynamics. To avoid subjective vocabulary such as "fun", "exciting", and "entertaining", the component contains the following taxonomy of descriptors; sensation (sense-pleasure), fantasy (make-believe), narrative (drama), challenge (obstacle course), fellowship (social framework), discovery (uncharted territory), expression (self-discovery) and submission (past-time) (Harris, Hancock, & Scott, 2016). A game can incorporate multiple of these descriptors, and ultimately, it is the interplay between components that influences the perceived aesthetics of the game.…”

Section: Aestheticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The assistant does not have any access to changing the outcome of performing tasks in the VE, and therefore, only the dynamics of the communication is present. Based on the definitions on synchronicity (Harris, Hancock, & Scott, 2016), a preliminary mapping of types of event timing is presented above (see Figure 10). The argument here is that the distinction between actions and concerns.…”

Section: Dependence and Synchronicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Asymmetric collaboration in virtual reality

Thomsen

Nilsson²,

Nordahl³

et al. 2019

LOM

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It has been established that Virtual Reality (VR) possesses certain qualities for educational purposes. These include the ability to place the learner at the location or in the perspective that the desired knowledge exists (e.g., travelling to another planet or shrinking to miniature size to observe internal anatomy). VR is also considered to contribute with enriching the curricular content, promoting active forms of learning, performance assessment of high validity, and provide the opportunity to teach applied academic knowledge in life-like situations. In regards to teaching mathematics and geometry, three key affordances have been identified; interactive manipulation and construction of three-dimensional geometry, comprehension of spatial relationships, and rectification of abstract problems. Safety protocols and practical guidelines from classroom experimentation have also been formulated by various research projects. In this manuscript, asymmetrical immersive VR in education will be reviewed, as it is relevant for the narrative of learning situations where multiple students use the technology together. As an example, in mathematics, asymmetric VR could be used in contexts where unknown variables must be found in collaboration. The purpose of the narrative literature review is to gain a greater understanding of how asymmetric game mechanics has influence on communication and collaboration between learners. To map the dynamics of this type of learning activity, a taxonomy will be presented. Since VR is still under development in terms of hardware and software, it is important that the current and future technical possibilities are described in a conceptual manner, as well as conclude on optimal coupling between communication dynamics and collaboration mechanics.

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Enhancing Communication and Awareness in Asymmetric Games

Bourdiol

Graham

2019

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

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Asymmetric games rely on players taking on different gameplay roles, often with associated different views of the game world and different input modalities. This asymmetry can lead to difficulties in establishing common referents as players collaborate. To explore communication and group awareness in asymmetric games, we present a novel asymmetric game, combining a tablet presenting a 2D top-down view and a virtual reality headset providing an immersive 3D view of the gameworld. We demonstrate how communication can be afforded between the two types of views via interaction techniques supporting deixis, shared reference, and awareness. These techniques are bi-directional, enabling an equitable collaboration. A pilot study has shown that players adapt well to the system's two roles, and find the collaborative interaction techniques to be effective.

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Leveraging Asymmetries in Multiplayer Games

Cited by 58 publications

References 18 publications

A Best-Fit Framework and Systematic Review of Asymmetric Gameplay in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Games

A Best-Fit Framework and Systematic Review of Asymmetric Gameplay in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Games

Asymmetric collaboration in virtual reality

Enhancing Communication and Awareness in Asymmetric Games

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