Final Year Project
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For my final year dissertation our group of five members researched whether or not learning styles have any effect on player enjoyment when used in conjunction with the way objectives are given in games.
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Whilst this sounds grandly complicated it simply means ascertaining a player’s learning style using an online test then giving them one of three maps to play. Half the participants are given a map to play that is ideal to their learning style, and other participants are given maps which to the weakest of their learning styles.
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During the testing phase of this project, through careful organisation and determination we test over 130 participants – a new department record! Through our tests results we were shown that learning styles do have a small effect on the enjoyment, for example participants with an auditory learning styles tended to enjoy the map were objectives were delivered in an auditory fashion more than they would a text or a tactile/Kinesthetic one.
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I was greatly satisfied to be able to research this area as it is a project of my own proposal, and whist it has been hard work my enthusiasm for the project was unrelenting!
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The maps we test on are made in the Half Life 2 engine. There are 3 maps each of which appeal to a specific learning style of the VAK learning model. The map takes place in an office/warehouse, during the build phase I was responsible for making the general BSP layout of the whole level. Also as the project proceeded I improved the lighting of the whole level, arranged all the static meshes and models in warehouse floor area (pictured below) as I was dissatisfied with the initial results displayed by team members.
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Throughout the project each member’s responsibilities were dynamic changing with each milestone from forming a plan at the start to the final statistical analysis in the final phase. However as this was a student proposed project orchestrated by myself I was on most occasions the first port of call for group members seeking direction. Whilst each team member led a milestone, I had an overarching leadership role in all phases.
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Aside from the level(s) and the results confirmed by the study this was a truly fantastic opportunity to gain an introduction into leading a small group. A task which I enjoyed for the most part, and allowed me to feel responsibility for the project.
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Early Project/ Case studies
Initial High level concept
Solidifying the brief
General Research
During this time I was also writing the group’s complete pitch and plan document
Building
Prototyping of scripted sequence
Planning of level
Narrative of Level
Building initial BSP
Placement of static meshes on warehouse areas
All in-game voice acting
Testing
Liaising with facility/tutors/group members to confirm testing time tables
Composing testing timetables
Creating Testing questionnaire
Creating Testing Procedure/Concept
Excel Results processing (unused)
Analysis/report:
Milestone manager
Composition of final document
Writing of final document
Writing of Glossary
Writing of Contents
Collation of materials
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A copy of the final report is available in full here