Some notes on demographics

1
Some notes on demographics

• You have already decided which demographic type
  you are.
• Here are some notes on how the types affect the
  choices made by games designers.
• Do you agree?

2
Extrovert vs Introvert

• Most gamers are Introverts.
• Extroverts play games when bored.
• Introverts do so by choice.
• Most games are designed with Introverts in mind
  (long play times, long lasting gameplay).
• Extroverts prefer more social games, pad-passing
  between couples on consoles or multi-player/shared
  experience.
• Extroverts like performance-games (dance mat
  games etc.).

3
Sensing vs iNtuition

• Do you read game manuals before you play?
• Sensing types are patient types who follow
  routine info.
• iNtuition types are patient with abstract or
  complex material but like to discover patterns as
  they play.
• When it comes to games design, tutorial material
  is generally created for the 70 of the
  population who are Sensing types.
• iNtuition types especially like open-ended gaming
  (exploring game universes with no set end goal).
• Hardcore gamers do not like structured linear
  tutorials, therefore tend towards being iNtuition
  types.

4
Sensing vs iNtuition

• Note according to Myers-Briggs, journalists
  (including game reviewers) are iNtuition types.
• Good tutorials are combinations of structured and
  learn through experience methods.
• Platform games (Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider
  etc.) do this well.
• In the game itself, problems should show a
  similar combination with some iNtuition type
  problems (adventure games like Sam and Max are
  particularly lateral) but most should be logical
  otherwise annoys most of your gaming audience.
• An obvious approach is to ensure that the
  critical path of the game is free from iNtuition
  type problems but sub-paths may offer rewards for
  solving these type of problems.
• Regardless of type, learning curves should never
  be steep.

5
Thinking vs Feeling

• Thinking types prefer clear objectives while
  Feeling types prefer encouragement.
• How this should be done is hotly debated.
• Thinking types get irritated by this form of
  interaction.
• Since there is a bias of Thinking types in men
  (about 60) games have been largely designed with
  Thinking type structures.
• To appeal to a wider audience, more Feeling type
  approaches within the game world are required.
• The idea of bonuses or rewards is one way to
  achieve this without irritating Thinking types.

6
Thinking vs Feeling

• Could be unlocking areas of the game world, new
  equipment for a character, new usable characters
  even just a different set of character clothing
  is all that is required
• Tony Hawks Pro Skater is a prime example most of
  these ideas and explains why it had such broad
  appeal amongst hardcore and casual players, male
  and female alike.
• Note, that the design should not treat this as
  merely a key collecting exercise.
• Encouragement can also be given within game
  dialogue, complex tasks are split into sub-tasks
  with some king of pat on the head approach to
  provide the necessary encouragement.
• Be careful of Game Over screens!

7
Judging vs Perceiving

• Judging types prefer goal-orientation
  completing objectives etc.
• Perceiving types play to improve their abilities.
• Hardcore gamers tend to be Judging types hence
  the large amount of games design with goals in
  mind
• Perceiving types prefer open gaming with no clear
  end conditions.
• Judging types prefer games they can complete and
  dont mind linear game structure.

8
Judging vs Perceiving

• Judging types tend towards over-achievement.
• Perceiving types tend to be academic
  underachievers (education was generally a
  goal-oriented structure until continuous
  assessment became the norm).
• Game structure is heavily based on the JvP model
  with more Perceiving type behaviour becoming
  common where players can pick the parts of the
  game they want to complete in order to progress
  (GTA).
• Old style arcade games were by necessity heavily
  Judging type oriented.

9
TJ vs FP

• For TJ types, the challenge of the game is the
  key issues. Thinking emphasises the tasks to be
  completed and Judging is the perception of
  achievement of those tasks.
• For FP types, the key issue is the maximisation
  of enjoyment of the game. Feeling is emotional
  involvement (characters, game world,
  interactivity with other players) and Perceiving
  is the avoidance of tasks that are too
  challenging and hence reduce enjoyment.
• Main challenge for current designers is to
  balance these two types!