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The Impact of Multi-tasking on Gameplay: A Study in MMORPGs

This study explores the phenomenon of multi-tasking among computer gamers, particularly in MMORPGs like Maple Story. Conducted by Gretchen Ortiz under the guidance of Dr. Celia Pearce, the research combines participant observation and interviews to analyze how players utilize the Alt+Tab command to switch between applications while gaming. The findings reveal significant multi-tasking behaviors, where players frequently engage with messaging apps and other software, showing that game design often overlooks users' diverse needs. The implications stress the importance of developing computer games tailored for active computer users.

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The Impact of Multi-tasking on Gameplay: A Study in MMORPGs

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  1. Multi-tasking while playing computer games • Gretchen Ortiz • MS HCI-Psychology • Celia Pearce,Ph.D. • Director of Experimental Game Lab • LCC

  2. Background • Avid computer gamer. • Past projects related to MMORPG’s and virtual worlds. • Started to use Alt+tab command in many games without thinking about the HCI implications. Until one night…

  3. } • Computer games • Designed with the computer users in mind • Console games • Designed with console users in mind • Hybrid games • Designed with both types of users in mind, now that computers and consoles are closing the gap • Mobile games • Designed for the cell phone user in mind Different types of games

  4. Conflict arises • When computer games are designed for console users. • The computer user has a machine that does a lot more than play games. • Designers make the assumptionthat all users want to be immerse inside the game and do nothing else.

  5. Research • Participant observation and interviews inside an MMORPG called Maple Story Global • 2D side scrolling MMORPG • Anime Style Graphics • Population: 12-35 years of age. Very popular among teenagers and college students.

  6. Maple Story

  7. Participant observation • Started the participant observation without having a clear focus on the topic. • Once I started to keep journal entries it was clear that many players were AFK (away from keyboard) and frequently use the Alt+tab command.

  8. Journal entries • “Today I did party quests (group missions) and it’s mind-boggling how many players rush to the top boxes on stage 8 just to be able to Alt+tab properly. Some will have the courtesy to let you know and others will just do it without notifying the group”. • “We were all there waiting for him to respond so that the group could go on with the mission. After two minutes, he says: ‘Sorry I was on AIM’”. • “Today I played while using the messenger (IM), which is kind of hard if you don’t want to get killed. I wanted to level up (my character) while also chatting with one of my best friends using the messenger”.

  9. Interviews • 20 inside the game interviews • Participants were between 18-35 years of age • 10 conducted in Spanish/10 conducted in English • 14 male / 6 female • All of them have been playing the game for more than 5 months

  10. Analysis • AFK • Away from Keyboard. The users are taking their attention away from the game. Not necessarily away from the computer. • Alt+tab (Ctrl+Atl+Del) • commands for switching to another computer application. • Multi-tasking • the attention of the users is split between the game and something else.

  11. Analysis How many times do players AFK in a one hour game session?

  12. Analysis What players do when they AFK? • 10/20 said they usually stayed in their computers • 5/20 said sometimes they watched TV • 5/20 said sometimes they have to answer the phone • 11/20 said they had to go somewhere away from their computer

  13. Analysis What are players doing when they stay in their computers?

  14. Analysis • How do players switch from the game to another computer application?

  15. Evaluation • Maple Story is an example of a computer game that is designed for console users. • Full screen mode • Only seamless way to interact with other computer applications is by quitting the game • Assumption that the players want to focus on the game and nothing else

  16. Evaluation • Maple Story is an example of a computer game that is designed for console users. • Some players are even using other software to help them multi-task more efficiently.

  17. Evaluation Quote from an Internet article : “Plus, now I can play Maple Story while serving files with Subversion. And that’s nice and geeky “.

  18. Implications • Design computer games for computer users and their needs. • Do not rely on users expertise. • Do not rely on third party software to solve the problems. • Computer games should have seamless way in which to set up the game on window mode if desired.

  19. Future Work • Research to know if this kind of behavior is also present in other computer games • Issues with population: • Could it be that younger players are multi-tasking more than mature players? • Could it be that female players are multi-tasking more than male players?

  20. Thank you

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