This study evaluates perception differences of male and female narrators in video game tutorials. Video games have long been considered a masculine pursuit, and because of this, women have endured unpleasant surroundings and interactions in gaming and related communities. With the proliferation of technologies like Twitch and YouTube gaming, gaming is more communicative than ever, increasing potential for problematic interactions. Recent booms in these technologies emphasize the importance of understanding how varying demographics are perceived, as these perceptions influence interactions, potentially limiting the likelihood of women and others' involvement and interest. Involvement in technology during youth is associated with interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers--all fields with disparities in women's employment. Measures included confidence, credibility, performance, trustworthiness, and leadership ability to better understand how the integration of communicative technologies into gaming influences perceptions based on cues--in this case, specifically voice. Male narrators were hypothesized to be evaluated as more confident and credible than female narrators overall, while performance, trustworthiness, and leadership evaluations were hypothesized to be moderated by one's own gender identity. No significant differences emerged, which suggests a positive change in climate for female gamers and leaders in the industry.

[pt] O tema desta pesquisa é a criação e adaptação de jogos analógicos por alunos e professores, como estratégia de construção de espaços colaborativos e dialógicos de ensino-aprendizagem, fundamentada em competências do Design. A criação de jogos com alunos ainda é, muitas vezes, vinculada à aquisição de competências técnicas, de raciocínio lógico e de resolução de problemas e ocorre, predominantemente, em plataformas digitais e em aulas de informática, ou ainda em cursos cuja finalidade é ensinar a criar jogos. A criação ou adaptação de jogos analógicos envolve desafios que são ainda maiores na Educação Básica, especialmente para que o processo seja explorado em seu potencial de construção de espaços colaborativos e dialógicos de ensino-aprendizagem. A partir dessas constatações, colocou-se a necessidade de pesquisar como a criação / adaptação de jogos analógicos na escola mediada pelo Design pode favorecer a construção de espaços colaborativos e dialógicos de ensino-aprendizagem. Esta tese parte da predição de que a criação / adaptação de jogos analógicos na escola mediada pelo Design pode favorecer a construção de espaços colaborativos e dialógicos de ensino-aprendizagem a partir dos processos de refletir sobre um tema, metaforizar relações e concretizar um sistema de regras coerente. Entende-se que isso demanda o exercício de competências do Design como o pensamento sistêmico e crítico, a ação reflexiva, o planejamento e a organização do trabalho coletivo, promovendo um contexto horizontalizado de coautoria e construção compartilhada de sentidos entre professores e alunos. Para atingir tal objetivo, esta pesquisa baseou-se em revisão bibliográfica, análise de artigos e de jogos analógicos; mapeamento de experiências de professores que desenvolveram atividades de adaptação e/ou criação de jogos analógicos com estudantes; e mapeamento dos posicionamentos de professores e alunos participantes de proposta de criação de jogos em uma escola de Ensino Médio Técnico. A pesquisa permitiu verificar a importância do uso de competências do Design e de seus métodos como suporte ao trabalho dos professores e a multiplicidade de estratégias. Constatou-se a necessidade de se assumir uma atitude dialógica quando da realização dessas experiências. / [en] The theme of this research is the creation and adaptation of analog games by students and teachers, as a strategy for building collaborative and dialogical teaching-learning spaces, based on design skills. The creation of games with students is still often linked to the acquisition of technical skills, logical reasoning and problem solving and occurs predominantly on digital platforms and in computer classes, or even in courses whose purpose is to teach how to create games. The creation or adaptation of analog games involves challenges that are even greater in Basic Education, especially for the process to be explored in its potential to build collaborative and dialogical teaching-learning spaces. From these findings, there was a need to research how the creation / adaptation of analog games in the school mediated by Design can favor the construction of collaborative and dialogical teaching-learning spaces. This thesis is based on the prediction that the creation / adaptation of analog games in the school mediated by Design can favor the construction of collaborative and dialogical teachinglearning spaces based on the processes of reflecting on a theme, metaphorizing relationships and establishing a system of rules coherent. It is understood that this requires the exercise of design skills such as systemic and critical thinking, reflective action, planning and organization of collective work, promoting a horizontal context of co-authorship and shared construction of meanings between teachers and students. To achieve this goal, this research was based on bibliographic review, analysis of articles and analog games; mapping the experiences of teachers who developed adaptation activities and / or creating analog games with students; and mapping the positions of teachers and students participating in the proposal to create games in a technical high school. The research allowed to verify the importance of using Design skills and its methods to support the work of teachers and the multiplicity of strategies. There was a need to assume a dialogical attitude when carrying out these experiences.

[pt] Em 2016, um grupo de alunos da PUC-Rio se mobilizou para criar uma iniciativa interdisciplinar de estudo e prática em jogos — hoje chamada de Rio PUC Games (RPG). Este movimento estudantil é composto por alunos de diferentes cursos de graduação, em sua maioria Design, que atuam em funções pertinentes ao desenvolvimento de jogos: artes, programação, design de jogos e produção. Reconhecendo a RPG como uma iniciativa singular, o objetivo geral desta tese foi investigá-la, buscando descrever, caracterizar e compreender de quais formas suas atividades podem inspirar novas práticas de ensino, em um contexto de design de jogos. A partir de uma revisão bibliográfica que abrangeu – para além da leitura clássica sobre jogos – novos paradigmas oriundos das ciências cognitivas, antropologia cultural e ciência da computação, construimos uma fundamentação teórica sobre a formação lúdica da sociedade – a partir do que chamamos de espírito lúdico – e o potencial expressivo e persuasivo dos jogos. Em seguida, descrevemos e analisamos as características das indústrias de jogos digitais, nos âmbitos nacional e internacional, por meio de um discurso crítico que destacou seus principais desafios atuais. Adicionalmente, foram apresentadas e comentadas as grades curriculares de algumas relevantes instituições de ensino nacionais e internacionais voltadas para a formação de profissionais para esta área de atuação, com a intenção de discutir quais perfis profissionais estão sendo priorizados; frente a estas informações, apresentamos o curso de Design em Mídia Digital da PUC-Rio e seu percurso curricular. Finalmente, por meio de uma observação participante que se estendeu por quase três anos, analisamos criticamente a Rio PUC Games no tocante à sua filosofia, estrutura, dinâmicas e práticas, trabalhos e contribuições, concluindo que, de fato, a RPG construiu um modelo de ensino onde não apenas habilidades técnicas em jogos são desenvolvidas, mas também qualidades fundamentais para o profissional do século XXI, tais como autonomia, confiança, organização, resiliência, cooperação, liderança e companheirismo. / [en] In 2016, a group of students at PUC-Rio gathered to create an interdisciplinary initiative to study and practice games – known today as Rio PUC Games (RPG). This movement is composed by students from different undergraduate courses, mostly Design, in which they operate on functions pertinent to game development: arts, programming, game design and production. Recognizing RPG as a singular initiative, the object of this thesis was to investigate it, seeking to describe, characterize and understand in which ways their activities can inspire new educational practices in the context of game design. Starting with a bibliographic review that spanned – beyond the classic literature on play and games – new paradigms arising from the cognitive sciences, cultural anthropology and computer science, we build a theoretical foundation on the ludic formation of society – from what is defined as the ludic spirit – and the expressive and persuasive potential of games. Next, we describe and analyze the characteristics of the video game industry, both national and international, by means of a critical discourse that pointed to its most current challenges. Additionally, we present and comment on the curriculum of relevant educational institutions dedicated to this field aiming at discussing which professional profiles are being prioritized; we then present the Design in Digital Media program at PUC-Rio and its curricular course. Finally, through a participatory observation that was conducted over almost three years, we analyzed the Rio PUC Games initiative in terms of its philosophy, structure, dynamics and practices, works and contributions, concluding that, in fact, RPG built a model of teaching where not only technical skills in games are developed, but also fundamental qualities for the professional of the 21st century, such as autonomy, confidence, organization, resilience, cooperation, leadership and companionship.

Submitted in fulfilment of requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Operations and Quality Management, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / The need for alternative teaching practices in the face of poor retention and student throughput rates has changed the context of higher education in South Africa. This study interrogates one alternative teaching practice: the use of a board game and a multimedia game. Arguments for the potential benefits of games in higher education have generated a growing body of literature, but the general focus of these studies has been empirical with little theorisation about the associated pedagogy. Using a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design, this thesis aimed to determine the quality of pedagogy through games in providing epistemological access to the subjects Tooth Morphology and Oral Anatomy in a Dental Technology Diploma at a selected University of Technology. The thesis also developed a framework for the design of games to enable quality teaching and learning of vocational subjects. Preliminary and pilot studies were conducted. The preliminary study was conducted over a five-year period from 2003 to 2006. The total sample size for the Tooth Morphology board game was n=128 and for Oral Anatomy multimedia game was n=30. Academic experts validated the study by reviewing the contents of the game. The findings suggested that games assisted students to actively learn. The pilot study was conducted in 2007 and 2008. The total sample size for the Tooth Morphology board game was n=62 and for the Oral Anatomy multimedia game was n=22. Dental technology experts validated the contents of the game. Cronbach’s alpha index was used to assess the reliability of the study and was α=0.45 and α=0.757 for the Tooth Morphology board game and the Oral Anatomy multimedia game, respectively. The low alpha score obtained for the Tooth Morphology board game prompted improvements to be made to the survey for the main study. The main study was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The total population size for the Tooth Morphology board game was n=83 and for the Oral Anatomy multimedia game was n=82. Surveys and pre- and post-tests were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, factor analysis and cross tabulations. Content validity ensured that the survey focused on concepts and constructs that emerged from the review of literature on games. Cronbach’s alpha index was used to assess the reliability of the surveys and was α=0.794 and α=0.868 for the Tooth Morphology board game and Oral Anatomy multimedia game, respectively. Qualitative analyses entailed focus groups with students who used the games. The data generated was analysed using the conceptual frameworks of Bernstein’s knowledge codes and Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory of Specialisation. Trustworthiness of the data was achieved using methodological triangulation, data triangulation and peer debriefing. Quantitative results revealed that an integrated game design with an appropriate mix of instructional content and applicable game features and mechanisms facilitates the provision of epistemological access to Tooth Morphology and Oral Anatomy. By placing a sociological lens on knowledge in the games, a major finding in the qualitative analyses was that epistemological access using games provided access to particular knowledge-knower structures of the target subjects or disciplines. An LCT (Specialisation) analysis revealed that the games in this study represented a knowledge code as specialist knowledge and skills were valued over the possession of personal attributes and dispositions. This knowledge code was in turn aligned to the knowledge code of the target programme. In synthesising the results there were three recurring issues that emerged from the data as being key, namely: (1) access to knowledge; (2) instructional design of the games; and (3) technical design of the games. The thesis concluded by proposing the KITE framework, a guideline for lecturers to consider when designing games for higher education. / DAAD, NRF In-Country Scholarship

The project focuses on computer tools suitable for particular game genres and how they are used to develop 3D computer games. As part of learning about the tools, the author developed a 3D computer adventure game called "Adventures of Smiley" using Macromedia Director MX and 3D Studio Max. The game's purpose is to engage children using a friendly interface while they learn about different topics in various subject areas through lessons and puzzles. The research gathered information about the current game industry, technologies and game genres, which can be used as a reference for the beginning level game programmer. The project documentation and the game are also published on the Internet and can be freely accessed online.

Global mobility, wireless technology and networked society are transforming the airport territory. These changes (hard factors) have been analysed in airport planning and transportation studies (Koll-Schretzenmayr 2003; Banister 2003; Schaafsma 2003; Knippenberger &Wall 2010; Salewski & Michaelli 2011; Convenz & Thierstein ed. 2014 et al) and architecture and design (Edwards 1998; Blow 2005; Cuadra 2002; Uffelen 2012; Gensler 2013 et al). But design strategies focusing on the passenger experience (soft factors) have not yet been thoroughly assimilated by architecture and design. On the theoretical level this dissertation spans the analysis of current methodologies in social studies (e.g. Castells 1996; Gottdiener 2000; Cresswell 2006; Urry, 2007; Elliott & Urry 2010; Adey 2010 et al) and their relation to architectural and urban studies concepts for the airport. The latter includes the “Airport as City” (Güller & Güller 2000), “Aviopolis – A Book about Airports” (Fuller & Harley 2005) and “Aerotropolis” (Kassarda 2010). This dissertation also explores IT and aviation industry interests at the interface between technology and air travellers. In this light aviation industry research and solutions (Amadeus 2011, SITA 2013) are important to consider, as well the philosophy behind who travels and for what purpose (Sloterdijk 1998; Koolhaas 1998; Gottdiener 2000; Urry 2007; Birtchnell & Caletrio 2014 et al). Here, the author’s previous field research at Frankfurt International Airport is relevant. We live more mobile lifestyles, we work in hybrid spaces (Suoza 2006; Duffy 2010 et al), and we consequently need to share information and collaborate differently. Using constant travellers as a case study, the impact of physical and informational mobility on perceptions of and behavioural patterns in the airport can lead to a deeper understanding of mobile work and the air travel experience. New design strategies can be developed from research about constant travellers, and the results may improve their work and air travel experience. The author’s combination of design approaches from architecture and social science (sociology and psychology) methodologies can better address the real needs of constant travellers in hybrid workspaces. It is hoped that this dissertation will inspire airport architects and designers, interaction designers and the aviation industry to pay more attention to users’ needs in their design processes.

Les jeux sérieux s’inscrivent dans un courant qui cherche à explorer l’utilisation des jeux numériques dans des contextes où la finalité première dépasse le simple divertissement. Cette utilisation dans le champ éducatif est justifiée par la capacité de ces jeux à avoir des impacts positifs liés à l’apprentissage sur les plans cognitif, affectif et social. Les études empiriques, conduites pour vérifier les bénéfices présumés de ces jeux, tendent à s'accorder pour confirmer leur pertinence et efficacité. Cependant, il en ressort que ces bénéfices dépendent de la qualité de leur conception et d'intégration dans des dispositifs de formation. Or, les approches et théories existantes à cet effet sont à un stade précoce de construction et sont loin d’être consensuelles. Plus spécifiquement, ces approches présentent des limites en ce qui concerne leurs fondements théoriques, l’absence de démarches de conception détaillées et la difficulté d’intégrer, d’une façon équilibrée, les éléments favorisant la motivation et ceux favorisant l’apprentissage. Dans ce contexte, la présente recherche vise à remédier à ces limites en proposant un modèle de design des jeux sérieux qui soutient la conception et le développement de ces jeux pour une finalité pédagogique. À cet effet, nous avons mis en œuvre une démarche méthodologique basée sur l’approche de recherche orientée par la conception (Design-based research), en vue de répondre à la question de recherche suivante : comment concevoir des jeux sérieux efficaces pédagogiquement et motivants ? Ladite approche a consisté, conformément au modèle de Reeves (2006), en quatre phases : la définition d’un problème pratique, le développement d’une solution à partir des principes de design existants, des cycles itératifs de tests et d’affinement de la solution et la production de nouveaux principes de design généralisables à d’autres contextes. Elle a permis l’élaboration d’une démarche globale, cohérente et intégrée de design des jeux sérieux. Le cas échéant, la démarche proposée porte sur un modèle théorique de l’expérience optimale d’apprentissage par jeux sérieux, des principes de design qui devraient guider le processus de design de ces jeux, une méthodologie détaillée pour conduire ce processus, ainsi que des outils d’aide au design qui définissent pour chacune des étapes les paramètres pédagogiques, ludiques et techniques à prendre en considération. Les implications du modèle proposé sont multiples. Il contribue au comblement des lacunes de connaissances relatives à l’utilisation et le design des jeux sérieux. Plus spécifiquement, il décrit l’expérience d’apprentissage par ces jeux et détermine les caractéristiques et les conditions d’émergence de cette expérience. Il réduit la complexité inhérente au design de ces dispositifs, en proposant des principes de design, une méthodologie détaillée et des outils. Il structure le processus de design autour des principes issus des domaines de design pédagogique (instructional design) et de design des jeux (game design) et en décrit les résultats attendus. Il lie la théorie à la pratique en proposant un cadre théorique descriptif du processus de design ainsi que des orientations claires et pratiques pour le mettre en œuvre. De même, les outils qu’il propose peuvent servir de support pédagogique, pour initier les concepteurs au processus de design, ainsi que de support de communication entre les différentes parties prenantes lors d’une démarche participative de design centrée sur l’utilisateur. Mots-clés : Apprentissage par le jeu, design des jeux sérieux, design pédagogique, pédagogie ludique, jeu sérieux. / Serious games are part of a movement that seeks to explore digital games in contexts where the primary purpose is other than pure entertainment. In education, this use is justified by the ability of these games to impact cognitive, emotional, and social learning. Empirical studies conducted to verify the presumed benefits of these games tend to confirm their relevance and instructional effectiveness. Nevertheless, they suggest that these benefits depend on the quality of their design and implementation. However, the existing approaches and theories related to serious games design are at an early stage of construction and are far from consensual. More specifically, these approaches have limitations in terms of theoretical foundations, a lack of detailed design methodologies, and a difficulty of integrating, in a balanced way, the elements that promote motivation and those that promote instruction. In this context, this thesis aims to remedy these limitations by proposing a serious game design model that supports the design and development of serious games for an educational purpose. To this end, we have implemented a methodology based on the Design-based research approach to answer the following research question: how to design serious games that are pedagogically effective and intrinsically motivating? Therefore, our methodology consisted, following Reeves’ model (2006), of four phases: analysis of a practical problem, development of a solution informed by existing design principles and technological innovations, iterative cycles of testing and refinement of the solution, and reflection to produce new design principles generalizable to other contexts. Our goal was to develop a comprehensive, coherent, and integrated approach to serious game design. As a result, our research proposes a theoretical model describing an optimal learning experience through serious games, a set of five design principles that should guide the design process, and tools to support instructional designers during the design process. The implications of the proposed approach are multiple. It helps to fill knowledge gaps concerning the design of serious games. More specifically, it describes the expected learning experience through these games and determines the characteristics and conditions of emergence of this experience. It reduces the complexity inherent to the design process by proposing design principles, detailed methodology, and practical tools. It structures the design process based on principles from the instructional design and game design fields. Finally, the approach links theory to practice by providing a descriptive theoretical framework of the design process and clear practical implementation guidelines. Likewise, the accompanying tools can serve as educational support to initiate instructional designers into the design process and as a communication tool to support the relationship between different stakeholders during a participatory user-centred design process.

This essay investigates what may constitute a hypnotic digital artefact from a design standpoint. This essay is meant to help designers who want to create hypnotic digital artefacts in the shape of a game, or researchers who wants to further this field. With a case study analysing the game Cultist Simulator, this essay observes applications from this essay’s frameworks: NLP, Procedural Rhetorics, Flow, Trance, and Ericksonian Hypnosis. The case study serves to demonstrate how a larger scale reflection of intrinsic cross over points between hypnosis and the video game medium may take place within state-of-the-art discourse. This essay fulfils its design-aid purpose by charting factors that can be put in place to facilitate a trance and a hypnosis in a game, in a design table summarising design methods discussed. The means that may put a player’s mind in abeyance are posited here regarding how this may influence the game experience, including induction techniques, where suggestions are provided in how these might translate to a game format. Through its frameworks and case study, hypnotic content generation is put in focus, where this essay finds that games utilising metaphors and depicting inner spaces carry significance in this pursuit. It also finds that mirroring communication of the unconscious, such as adhering to rules of a dream state, and acknowledging the unconscious’ uses and capacities, has potential in this pursuit. Importantly, the essay includes a discussion on Cultist Simulator’s decadent aesthetics and its role in leading a player towards an alternate state of consciousness.

[pt] De grande importância para pesquisa científica, o software científico se mostra, por vezes, desafiador no que se refere ao design de interfaces com o usuário. Por outro lado, a gamificação se oferece como potencial solução em questões de experiência com o usuário e interatividade. Nesta tese, desenvolvemos um método para a gamificação de software científico voltado para processos de design colaborativo, orientado por um modelo baseado em jogo, informado por aspectos de uso e desenvolvimento deste tipo de software e, também, por aspectos similares ao jogo na prática científica. / [en] Vastly important to scientific research, scientific software is often challenging regarding the design of its user interfaces. On the other hand, gamification is seen as a potential solution in matters of user experience and interactivity. In this thesis, we develop a method for the gamification of scientific software aimed at collaborative design processes, guided by a game-based model, informed by aspects of use and development of that type of software and, also by game-like aspects of scientific practice.