![AUSTIN MERRITT
COHORT 28
[8][9][10]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/thesis3presentation1-200423185908/85/Austin-Merritt-Thesis-Defense-Slides-1-320.jpg)
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- 3. Hypothesis
- 5. Field Research 1: Video Game Personalisation Techniques: A Comprehensive Survey [2] • • • •
- 6. Personalization Within Video Games [2]
- 7. Field Research 2: Max Payne • • • [3]
- 8. Field Research 3: Left 4 Dead • • • • • [4]
- 9. Requirements of a Viable Personalization System 1: Selection of meaningful player characteristic to drive personalization. 2: Observation of the characteristic that is reliable and practical 3: Integration of the observation method into a game adaptation system. 4: Evaluation that verifies the personalization has the intended effect on player experience. [2]
- 10. 1: Selection of meaningful player characteristic to drive personalization.
- 11. 1: Meaningful Inputs into a Personalization System • By preferences (i.e., gameplay that players find appealing). • By personality (i.e., distinctive character of players). • By experience (i.e., how players emotionally and cognitively respond while playing). • By performance (i.e., the degree and rate of player achievement/progression). (DDA) • By in-game behavior (i.e., the actions a player made within the game). [2]
- 12. Field Research 4: Beyond the Beef Fallout 4 dungeon design • Player freedom requires content that enable multiple playstyles • New Vegas’s beyond the beef is a great example of building content like this effectively • Fallout content cannot be focused in the same way as other linear shooters • A system that tailors a level around a player’s skill set and preferences could give players moments of more personalized handcrafted gameplay • But how? [5]
- 13. Field Research 5: Let’s Spec into Talent Trees: A Primer for Game Designers “Different types of music sound better with differing levels of treble and bass. Much like a music player will allow you to tweak the levels on these two knobs to make the music sound better, your talent tree should have knobs you can adjust in regard to your core systems that make these different play styles play better.” • Fallout’s perk tree offers a window into player preferences by capturing in-game behaviour • The predictive power of perk choice can be harnessed to build personalized content with Fallout’s world [6]
- 14. 2: Observation of the characteristic that is reliable and practical.
- 15. 2: Flaws of Using Perk Tree Interface • While appearing to be the straightforward option, using the perk tree for observation proved troublesome • Inconsistent xp requirements expand the scope of the project in terms of balance and perk combinations • Unintuitive interface excludes those less familiar with Fallout 4 from testing [7]
- 16. Value of Using Custom Perk Interface • Building a custom interface with creation kit’s terminal system resolved the issues with the perk tree • Players could choose 4 perks from a terminal without needing to consider xp requirements • With four perks selected the dungeon entrance opens • Players unfamiliar with fallout could navigate the straightforward interface • Running on a web of over a dozen interfaces • Perks irrelevant to the dynamic dungeon modifications were removed from the potential perks • 13 tier one perks remained within the terminal for selection
- 18. 3: Integration of the observation method into a game adaption system
- 19. Dungeon Overview • After choosing their perks in the lobby of a factory the players enter a large industrial space taken over by raiders. • Players move through the space fighting hordes of enemies through factory floors, back halls, and offices. • At the end of the dungeon players find themselves on the catwalks above where they first entered the factory facing a final boss holding the key to the dungeon’s exit. • Along the way players explore to collect various healing items and ammo types to support their playstyle.
- 20. Perks Sorted by Adaption Perk Type Perk Name Adaptation Weapon Proficiency Iron Fist • Enemy Types • Weapon Types Weapon Proficiency Big Leagues • Enemy Types • Weapon Types Weapon Proficiency Rifleman • Enemy Types • Weapon Types Weapon Proficiency Gunslinger • Enemy Types • Weapon Types Weapon Proficiency Commando • Enemy Types • Weapon Types Exploration Skill Locksmith • Door Spawning • Item Spawning Exploration Skill Hacker • Door Spawning Stat Buff Toughness • Enemy Health Stat Buff Bloody Mess • Enemy Health Stat Buff Life Giver • Enemy Health • Stim Pak Frequency Consumable Buff Chem Resistant • Chem Frequency Consumable Buff Medic • Stim Pak Frequency Consumable Buff Lead Belly • Food Spawning
- 22. Weapon Spawner
- 23. • At the start of the dungeon players are given weapons tied to their perk choices • Players who have multiple weapon perk proficiencies are classified as generalists and are given a variety of weapons throughout the experience to satisfy their playstyle • Players with a single weapon perk proficiency are given a more focused load out throughout the dungeon that satisfies that playstyle Weapon Spawner
- 26. Layout Changes and Mini Bosses • At multiple points within the dungeon, sight and pathing blockers change location based on weapon proficiencies selected • Ranged players are given more high ground while melee players are given more flat spaces • Players face a unique mini boss in the middle of the dungeon who gives an upgrade to their preferred combat style
- 27. Melee Perks Ranged Perks Mid Ranged Perks
- 32. 4: Evaluation that verifies the personalization has the intended effect on player experience
- 33. Methods of Evaluation • ANONYMOUS DATA LOGGING • OBJECTIVE • REVEALS THE WHAT • POST PLAYTEST SURVEY • SUBJECTIVE • REVEALS THE WHY • TOGETHER THESE ELEMENTS CAN INFER: • DID PLAYER FEEL SATISFIED WITH THEIR PERKS WITHIN THE LEVEL DESIGN? • WAS EACH PLAYSTYLE PRESENTED WITH A SIMILARLY DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE LEVEL DESIGN? • ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS DETERMINES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PERSONALIZATION SYSTEM
- 34. Survey Log Data
- 35. Evaluation Results • PLAYERS SEEM TO PICK PERKS BASED ON THEIR PLAYSTYLE
- 36. Evaluation Results • PLAYERS GENERALLY FELT THEIR PERKS WERE USEFUL WITHIN THE LEVEL
- 39. Evaluation Results • A HAND-CRAFTED DUNGEON CAN BE PLAYED OPTIMALLY IF PLAYER PICKUPS ARE NOT STRICTLY CONTROLLED
- 40. Evaluation Results • BACK HALF OF DUNGEON’S DIFFICULTY SWINGS GREATER THAN INTENDED • BALANCE BUGS APPEAR IN THESE SECTIONS • BALANCING MULTIPLE ENCOUNTERS FOR VARIED PLAYSTYLES REQUIRES ADDITIONAL SYSTEMS ON TOP OF THE CONTENT MODIFICATION SYSTEMS Sections Difficulty Ranked
- 41. Application of Requirements Within Artifact 1: Tailoring content towards player preference via in-game behavior 2: Observation of preference and in-game behavior through perk terminal 3: Integration of perk selection into dynamic dungeon modification 4: Evaluation of the effectiveness of dynamic dungeon modification to support player preferences via survey and log data
- 43. Further Research • • ISOLATE YOUR VARIABLES. • • TAKE PLAYSTYLE PREDICTION EVEN FURTHER. • • • INTEGRATE ROBUST ADAPTIONS TO ACTIVE SKILLS. • •