Game Development Essentials An Introduction

(2nd Edition)

Chapter 2Player Elements

who plays and why?

Key Chapter Questions■ What motivates people to play games, and how does this

affect the types of games that are developed?

■ What is the difference between geographics, demographics, and psychographics?

■ How has the player market changed over time?

■ What is the difference between the United States and South Korean markets?

■ What are the different generations of players in the United States?

Player Motivation

• Social interaction• Physical seclusion• Competition• Knowledge• Mastery• Escapism• Addiction• Therapy • Exercise• Creative expression

Player SuitsRichard Bartle’s “Players Who Suit MUDs”

Geographics

South Korea

Japan

Germany

Regional US

Geographics

Geographics

PsychographicsVALS (Values, Attitudes & Lifestyles Survey)

PsychographicsMeyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Demographics

• Gender• Age • Occupation• Income • Education• Ethnicity• Religion• Political Affiliation

DemographicsEntertainment Software Association (ESA)

• 52% of players report watching less television as a result of playing games

• 47% of players are going to the movies less• 41% of players watch movies at home less often• Adult women make up a larger percentage of players than

boys ages 6–17• Females of all ages now make up almost 40% of the game-

playing population• Men and women over 18 make up 69% of the player

population• 25% of players are over age 50

DemographicsGeneration

• Silent• Boom• Generation X• Millennial• Trends quiz (p. 55)

Gen XThe “Lone Hero” Generation

Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft and Half-Life’s Gordon Freeman are both depicted as lone heroes.

MillennialsThe “Teamwork” Generation

Games that incorporate cooperation—such as A Tale in the Desert and Puzzle Pirates—might be ideal games for the Millennial Generation.

MillennialsThe “Teamwork” Generation

Players cooperate in teams in both Call of Duty 3 (playing as either Axis or Allies) and World of Warcraft.

Summary

• Player motivation• Player suits• Geographics• Psychographics• Demographics• Generations