Screen ecologies, multi-gaming and designing for different registers of engagement

Abstract

In this paper, we propose the notion of screen ecologies and argue for its importance in the study of contemporary digital game play. We draw on findings from a range of studies to highlight the interplay between screen ecologies, game design, and registers of engagement. We discuss how game play is increasingly mediated by multiple screen configurations, and in turn, how the design of different games are suited to or appropriated within these different screen ecologies. From this analysis we propose a number of modalities of game-engagement that we argue will assist further HCI research into game design and player experience research.

Voice in Virtual Worlds: The Design, Use, and Influence of Voice Chat in Online Play

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“…Performance construction is particularly apparent when players exploit lean media to multitask and multigame (Carter et al, 2014), engaging in impression management and multiple conversations with a range of people both online and physically collocated (Jones, 2002). Multitasking need not imply deception of a malicious kind.…”

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