A framework for cooperative communication game mechanics from grounded theory

Abstract

A rich element of cooperative games are mechanics that communicate. Unlike automated awareness cues and synchronous verbal communication, cooperative communication mechanics enable players to share information and direct action by engaging with game systems. These include both explicitly communicative mechanics, such as built-in pings that direct teammates' attention to specific locations, and emergent communicative mechanics, where players develop their own conventions about the meaning of in-game activities, like jumping to get attention. We use a grounded theory approach with 40 digital games to identify and classify the types of cooperative communication mechanics game designers might use to enable cooperative play. We provide details on the classification scheme and offer a discussion on the implications of cooperative communication mechanics.

A Spectrum of Audience Interactivity for Entertainment Domains

“…Fantasy sports games further blend the roles of audiences and performers [100] by integrating the "activity of a virtual game and spectatorship of a real sport" [100]; Developments in large-scale streaming, tangible interfaces, and virtual and augmented reality have further changed the game viewer landscape. Twitch allows audiences to watch, and interact with streamers during games [114]. Similarly, augmented reality has given players and viewers a way to experience narratives in physical space [5,51,106].…”

Assessing the impact of the awareness level on a co-operative game

“…Based on the analysis of 40 games, Toups et al [32] performed a qualitative study to identify which game mechanics players use to communicate different from synchronous verbal communication. Hence, they obtained six trees of co-operative communication mechanic (CCM) techniques, resulting into 9 different mechanics.…”

Playing at Planning

“…Teammates communicate using voice, supporting fast-paced team action [60,72]. At the same time, games offer direct support for coordination through cooperative communication mechanics that do not rely on voice or text chat [39,64,70]. By using cooperative communication mechanics, players can more easily identify elements of the gameworld and synchronize their actions.…”

“…Consequences: Players need to communicate to succeed at COLLABORATIVE PLANNING. Voice and chat communication enable players to coordinate with language [72], but cooperative communication mechanics [64,70] offer a means of coordinating with the game interface directly. Implementing the COLLABORATIVE PLANNING pattern likely requires some level of artificial intelligence or other reasoning, to enable computer agents to be involved in the collaborative component or to execute developed plans.…”