2023
Luoto, Tim
Kulttuuriantropologia, Oulun yliopisto, 2023, ISBN: 978-952-62-3876-0.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Avainsanat: augmented reality games (ARG), englanninkieliset väitöskirjat, exergames, gamification, health, persuasion, physical activity, wellbeing
@phdthesis{Luoto2023,
title = {Digital magic circle: Physically activating properties of the augmented reality games in the Northern context},
author = {Tim Luoto},
url = {https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:9789526238760},
isbn = {978-952-62-3876-0},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
school = {Kulttuuriantropologia, Oulun yliopisto},
abstract = {With respect to physical fitness, activity and wellbeing, digital games are often considered as “screen-time”, which reduces healthy physical activities, often causing the player to sit down and eat unhealthily while playing. However, when recognising and identifying the persuasive properties in games, their “magic circle” can be used to activate and move the players instead of passivating them. Many Augmented Reality Games (ARGs), such as Ingress Prime and Pokémon GO, can increase the physical activity of the players. This multidisciplinary dissertation examines, identifies and categorises persuasive properties of several ARGs, studied in the arctic context.
The findings of this study are based on qualitative material, such as participant observation, interviews, discussions and comments of the players as well as quantitative data. This study is an applied digital ethnography, comprising of both offline and online interactions, material and methods. The qualitative material was analysed applying content analysis and the statistical material was analysed using statistical software analysis. The findings were reflected in the light of several cultural and motivational theories, such as the flow and self-determination theories, as well as theories considering digital persuasion.
Digital, as well as traditional, games are inherently persuasive; they lure the player to continue playing. Based on this study, the “digital magic circle” comprises multiple cultural and psychological factors, as well as several factors related specifically to digital media. Essentially, games offer the players purposeful activity with clear and achievable goals: the more successful the game design, the stronger the persuasive power. Playing such games may cause the optimal experience (flow) in player, often resulting in the player to play even more. Such persuasiveness could be implemented in “moving games” like ARGs, increasing the player’s physical activity, affecting health and wellbeing.},
keywords = {augmented reality games (ARG), englanninkieliset väitöskirjat, exergames, gamification, health, persuasion, physical activity, wellbeing},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
With respect to physical fitness, activity and wellbeing, digital games are often considered as “screen-time”, which reduces healthy physical activities, often causing the player to sit down and eat unhealthily while playing. However, when recognising and identifying the persuasive properties in games, their “magic circle” can be used to activate and move the players instead of passivating them. Many Augmented Reality Games (ARGs), such as Ingress Prime and Pokémon GO, can increase the physical activity of the players. This multidisciplinary dissertation examines, identifies and categorises persuasive properties of several ARGs, studied in the arctic context.
The findings of this study are based on qualitative material, such as participant observation, interviews, discussions and comments of the players as well as quantitative data. This study is an applied digital ethnography, comprising of both offline and online interactions, material and methods. The qualitative material was analysed applying content analysis and the statistical material was analysed using statistical software analysis. The findings were reflected in the light of several cultural and motivational theories, such as the flow and self-determination theories, as well as theories considering digital persuasion.
Digital, as well as traditional, games are inherently persuasive; they lure the player to continue playing. Based on this study, the “digital magic circle” comprises multiple cultural and psychological factors, as well as several factors related specifically to digital media. Essentially, games offer the players purposeful activity with clear and achievable goals: the more successful the game design, the stronger the persuasive power. Playing such games may cause the optimal experience (flow) in player, often resulting in the player to play even more. Such persuasiveness could be implemented in “moving games” like ARGs, increasing the player’s physical activity, affecting health and wellbeing.
The findings of this study are based on qualitative material, such as participant observation, interviews, discussions and comments of the players as well as quantitative data. This study is an applied digital ethnography, comprising of both offline and online interactions, material and methods. The qualitative material was analysed applying content analysis and the statistical material was analysed using statistical software analysis. The findings were reflected in the light of several cultural and motivational theories, such as the flow and self-determination theories, as well as theories considering digital persuasion.
Digital, as well as traditional, games are inherently persuasive; they lure the player to continue playing. Based on this study, the “digital magic circle” comprises multiple cultural and psychological factors, as well as several factors related specifically to digital media. Essentially, games offer the players purposeful activity with clear and achievable goals: the more successful the game design, the stronger the persuasive power. Playing such games may cause the optimal experience (flow) in player, often resulting in the player to play even more. Such persuasiveness could be implemented in “moving games” like ARGs, increasing the player’s physical activity, affecting health and wellbeing.
2017
Kari, Tuomas
Exergaming usage: Hedonic and utilitarian aspects Väitöskirja
Tietojärjestelmätiede, Jyväskylän yliopisto, 2017, ISBN: 978-951-39-6956-1.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Avainsanat: englanninkieliset väitöskirjat, exergames, exergaming, habits of playing, information systems usage, usage intentions, use continuance, user behaviour, user experience
@phdthesis{Kari2017,
title = {Exergaming usage: Hedonic and utilitarian aspects},
author = {Tuomas Kari},
url = {http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-6956-1},
isbn = {978-951-39-6956-1},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
school = {Tietojärjestelmätiede, Jyväskylän yliopisto},
abstract = {There is a growing demand for information systems (IS) that could advance desirable health behaviours among people. While digital gaming has generally been perceived to increase individuals’ sedentary time, gaming can also act as a medium to promote health, for example, by increasing individuals’ levels of physical activity. Exergaming, a form of digital gaming that combines games with physical activity, has been mentioned as potential means of influencing physical activity levels. Previous research on exergaming has been dominated by a very device-centric perspective, focusing more on its technological and physical aspects, than a more user-centric perspective that focuses on the users and the different aspects of usage. Such user-centric focus is greatly needed to achieve the recognised yet unreached potential of exergames, for example, to enhance the population’s levels of physical activity. The importance of researching IS usage has been continuously stressed in the field of IS, and increasing the understanding of IS use is important for both scholars and practitioners alike. Considering the identified research gap and the importance of the topic, this thesis takes a user-centric approach with aim to explain relevant aspects throughout the entire use cycle of exergames: intention to use, adoption and usage habits – as well as the reasons for not using – and use continuance after exergaming experiences. This thesis also examines the ability of exergames to promote physical activity and physical fitness. To investigate these aspects, relevant studies are carried out using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This thesis demonstrates the perceptions of exergames and how they differ in different phases of the use cycle. The results highlight the importance of hedonic enjoyment perceptions behind usage intentions and the actual use of exergames; however, for the continued use of exergames, the perceptions of utilitarian benefit also have an important role. The theoretical contribution comes from providing valuable new knowledge to the scientific community and increasing the theoretical understanding of exergaming. The findings also pose several practical implications for different stakeholders, ranging from the developers and marketers of exergames to the public sector and the users.},
keywords = {englanninkieliset väitöskirjat, exergames, exergaming, habits of playing, information systems usage, usage intentions, use continuance, user behaviour, user experience},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
There is a growing demand for information systems (IS) that could advance desirable health behaviours among people. While digital gaming has generally been perceived to increase individuals’ sedentary time, gaming can also act as a medium to promote health, for example, by increasing individuals’ levels of physical activity. Exergaming, a form of digital gaming that combines games with physical activity, has been mentioned as potential means of influencing physical activity levels. Previous research on exergaming has been dominated by a very device-centric perspective, focusing more on its technological and physical aspects, than a more user-centric perspective that focuses on the users and the different aspects of usage. Such user-centric focus is greatly needed to achieve the recognised yet unreached potential of exergames, for example, to enhance the population’s levels of physical activity. The importance of researching IS usage has been continuously stressed in the field of IS, and increasing the understanding of IS use is important for both scholars and practitioners alike. Considering the identified research gap and the importance of the topic, this thesis takes a user-centric approach with aim to explain relevant aspects throughout the entire use cycle of exergames: intention to use, adoption and usage habits – as well as the reasons for not using – and use continuance after exergaming experiences. This thesis also examines the ability of exergames to promote physical activity and physical fitness. To investigate these aspects, relevant studies are carried out using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This thesis demonstrates the perceptions of exergames and how they differ in different phases of the use cycle. The results highlight the importance of hedonic enjoyment perceptions behind usage intentions and the actual use of exergames; however, for the continued use of exergames, the perceptions of utilitarian benefit also have an important role. The theoretical contribution comes from providing valuable new knowledge to the scientific community and increasing the theoretical understanding of exergaming. The findings also pose several practical implications for different stakeholders, ranging from the developers and marketers of exergames to the public sector and the users.