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
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