Evaluating gesture-based games with older adults on a large screen display

Abstract

Gesture-based games offer lucrative opportunities to engage users across all segments of the population. However, this requires that associated features go beyond mere expectations to meet the needs and requirements of diverse audience groups. Focusing on designing games for healthy older adults, we present a study exploring the usability and acceptability of a set of three gesturebased games. Designed for a large projection screen display, these games employ vision-based techniques that center on physical embodied interaction using a graphical silhouette. Infrared detection, accompanied by back-projection is used to reduce the effects of occluded body movements. User evaluations with 36 older adults were analyzed using a combination of pre-and postgame questionnaires, direct observations and semi-structured group interviews. The results demonstrate that while all the games were usable, they varied in their physical and social engagement, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. In particular, items associated with physical wellbeing were rated highly. During the discussion, we highlight strengths and weaknesses of our findings, including related interaction and application features.

Custom-designed motion-based games for older adults: A review of literature in human-computer interaction

“…Relatively little work has focused on the creation of exergames for older adults, particularly those experiencing age-related changes and impairments that are likely to interfere with the use of commercially available games. This is supported by research results summarized in this paper (e.g., Gerling et al 18 and Rice et al 8 ), which suggest that special considerations are necessary when designing for senior citizens, and first efforts in the field of fullbody motion-based gaming show that individual adjustments improve the accessibility of exergames for older adults.…”

“…Measures included standardized questionnaires, performance metrics, and qualitative interviews. Likewise, Rice et al 8 explore the feasibility of gesture-based games for healthy older adults. They introduce three mini games for large screen displays that feature different interaction paradigms, and which can be played by up to two persons at the same time.…”

“…Research has frequently highlighted the potential of motion-based video games for this audience, but also pointed out that video games need to be designed with senior audiences in mind 6 : It has been shown that older adults enjoy playing video games 7,8 and it has been demonstrated in different studies that motion-based games have positive effects on the emotional 9 , cognitive 10 , and physical 11 well-being of older adults. However, concerns regarding the usability and accessibility of motion-based applications for older adults have been brought up by a range of studies 12 , and most work focusing on the design of motionbased interactive technologies has addressed the creation of sports-like experiences to help fight sedentary lifestyles among younger audiences.…”

Mobile game design for the elderly: A study with focus on the motivation to play

“…Another hypothesis for the suggestion of inclusion of board games is that they have essentially the social element, that is, the elderly may be interested in social games, games to be played with others. Some studies also consider this feature as a great motivator for the elderly, reporting that the fact of meeting new people or playing against friends makes them feel more engaged and more involved in the activity (Foukarakis, Leonidis, Adami, Antona, & Stephanidis, 2011;Grosinger et al, 2012;Mahmud, Mubin, Shahid, & Martens, 2008;Mubin et al, 2008;Schutter & Abeele, 2010;Rice et al, 2011;Shim et al, 2010). But as mentioned in the Introduction of this work, social games require Internet, which is not an easy and cheap resource in underdeveloped country.…”

The gamer's soul never dies: Review of digital games for an active ageing

“…In addition, the game offers the single or multiplayer option.   Virtual soccer' is a gesture-based game that has the same purpose [32] as 'Mosquito invasion'. In order to play the game, the player has to keep, as long as he/she can, a physical ball bouncing in the air, without touching the floor.…”