Self-determination Theory (SDT) in Gamification
Session Number
CMPS 15
Advisor(s)
Ms. Simone Downie, ISU
Discipline
Computer Science
Start Date
17-4-2024 10:45 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 11:00 AM
Abstract
Self-determination theory (SDT) states that humans are motivated to pursue things that are intrinsically valuable to them, such as wellness or autonomy. Serious games implement different tactics such as identity, interactivity, agency or control, challenge, narrative, feedback, and immersion, to motivate the player to play the game and absorb its “serious” content, which is meant to improve the player’s expertise or knowledge of a certain topic. Indeed, in gamification and serious games, SDT is represented as a framework for player motivation based on autonomy, competence, and social relatedness/connection. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of SDT features in mainstream games, and how these features can be implemented into serious games to increase their popularity/success. Our analysis focuses on multiple popular titles which use SDT features such as player experience points and level progression, adaptive gameplay, and open-world movement. In our analysis, we compare the implementation of these features between mainstream games (>10 million player count based on registered accounts/active users), and serious games of similar genres. We aim to further understand SDT in the context of serious games through identifying what features incentivize participation in and optimize the effect of serious games.
Self-determination Theory (SDT) in Gamification
Self-determination theory (SDT) states that humans are motivated to pursue things that are intrinsically valuable to them, such as wellness or autonomy. Serious games implement different tactics such as identity, interactivity, agency or control, challenge, narrative, feedback, and immersion, to motivate the player to play the game and absorb its “serious” content, which is meant to improve the player’s expertise or knowledge of a certain topic. Indeed, in gamification and serious games, SDT is represented as a framework for player motivation based on autonomy, competence, and social relatedness/connection. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of SDT features in mainstream games, and how these features can be implemented into serious games to increase their popularity/success. Our analysis focuses on multiple popular titles which use SDT features such as player experience points and level progression, adaptive gameplay, and open-world movement. In our analysis, we compare the implementation of these features between mainstream games (>10 million player count based on registered accounts/active users), and serious games of similar genres. We aim to further understand SDT in the context of serious games through identifying what features incentivize participation in and optimize the effect of serious games.