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Video Game
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
The majority of children in affluent countries now play electronic games, and this has lead to concerns about the health impact of this activity. Traditional electronic games have used gamepad, keyboard, and mouse input, but newer game interfaces that require more movement are now available. However the movement and muscle activity demands of electronic games have not been described. This study compared the amount of movement and muscle activity while 20 children aged 9 to 12 years watched a DVD and played games using handheld computer, gamepad, keyboard, steering wheel and, active-input (Webcam motion analysis-Sony EyeToy (R)) devices. Movement of the head, sacrum, foot, shoulder, wrist, and thumb was measured along with activity in cervical erector spinae, lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, and wrist extensor muscles. Use of the wheel resulted in some increase in upper limb movement and muscle activity, but the other traditional input devices were usually as sedentary as watching a DVD. In contrast, use of the active-input device (EyeToy) resulted in substantial movement and muscle activity in limbs and torso. These results suggest that playing traditional electronic games is indeed a sedentary activity but that new active-input technologies may be useful in encouraging more movement and muscle activity in children.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Possible associations between television viewing and video game playing and children's aggression have become public health concerns. We did a systematic review of studies that examined such associations, focussing on children and young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties, who are thought to be more susceptible.We did computer-assisted searches of health and social science databases, gateways, publications from relevant organizations and for grey literature; scanned bibliographies; hand-searched key journals; and corresponded with authors. We critically appraised all studies.A total of 12 studies: three experiments with children with behavioural and emotional difficulties found increased aggression after watching aggressive as opposed to low-aggressive content television programmes, one found the opposite and two no clear effect, one found such children no more likely than controls to imitate aggressive television characters. One case-control study and one survey found that children and young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties watched more television than controls; another did not. Two studies found that children and young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties viewed more hours of aggressive television programmes than controls. One study on video game use found that young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties viewed more minutes of violence and played longer than controls. In a qualitative study children with behavioural and emotional difficulties, but not their parents, did not associate watching television with aggression. All studies had significant methodological flaws. None was based on power calculations.This systematic review found insufficient, contradictory and methodologically flawed evidence on the association between television viewing and video game playing and aggression in children and young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties. If public health advice is to be evidence-based, good quality research is needed.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
At the heart of any promising plan to transform the health care system lie two priorities: broader access to care for patients, and deeper engagement in health care by patients. Although the problem of expanding access to affordable care remains unresolved, new tools for deepening consumers' engagement in health care are proliferating like viral spores in a virtual pond. Digital games, including virtual realities, computer simulations, and online play, are valuable tools for fostering patient participation in health-related activities. This is why gaming is the latest tool in the arsenal to improve health outcomes: gaming makes health care fun. [Health Aff (Millwood). 2009; 28(5): w842-8 (published online 4 August 2009; 10.1377/hlthaff.28.5.w842)]
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Video games are enjoying fast-growing popularity, becoming a major component of young people's social lives and leisure activities. Many players share information and conduct social interactions in virtual communities (VC). The current study sought to examine the relationships between members and leaders in such video game communities using a number of variables to describe the member (i.e., knowledge sharing, usefulness, enjoyability, off-site interaction, satisfaction, loyalty, and intention to use) and the leader (i.e., leader involvement). Based on a sample of 2227 members and 41 leaders in 30 video game communities, the research demonstrated the use of a two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to examine the relationships of VC leaders and members, appropriately adjusted for a nested structure. The results indicated that leaders who engage in higher levels of involvement in VC are more likely to have members who agree with and respond to the community. Furthermore, member- and leader-level factors were significantly associated with member satisfaction: knowledge sharing, usefulness, and enjoyability explained within-VC variance while leader involvement explained between-VC variance. Finally, member satisfaction demonstrated positive effects on both member loyalty and intention to use. The study further discussed the implications of these findings, offering direction for future research. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
One of the core courses in the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum has been completely redesigned. lit the new numerical methods course, all assignments and learning experiences are built around a video/computer game. Students are given the task of writing computer programs to race a simulated car around a track. In doing so, students learn and implement numerical methods content. The paper describes a preliminary study to measure student engagement. Results show that students 'playing' the video game in their homework are significantly more engaged than when working oil homework in other engineering courses.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Introduction: This study describes and compares the behavior of hyperactive and control children playing video games. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 29 ADHD children and 21 controls aged between 6 and 16 years playing video games. We used the Child Behavior Checklist and the Problem Videogame Playing scale (PVP scale). This instrument gives objective measures of problem use, which can be considered as an indication of addictive videogame playing. We designed a questionnaire for the parents, eliciting qualitative information about their child's videogame playing. There were no significant differences concerning frequency or duration of play between ADHD children and controls but differences were observed on the PVP scale. None of the controls scored above four whereas 10 hyperactive children answered affirmatively to five or more questions. These children presented a greater intensity of the disorder than the other ADHD children. Conclusion: While no differences concerning video game use were found, ADHD children exhibited more problems associated with videogame playing. It seems that a subgroup of ADHD children could be vulnerable to developing dependence upon video games. \copyright2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
We analyzed heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production in 17 male adolescents during a racing simulation video game (VG) and compared to resting state (RS) and exercise testing (ET) measures. We were able to demonstrate a significant (p<.005) increase from RS to VG concerning HR (+13.1 bpm), SBP (+20.8 mmHg), and DBP (+12.1 mmHg) with SBP and DBP elevations exceeding 2 SD in all children and 14/17 children, respectively. The energy consumption during VG (max 1.71 kcal/min) was unaltered compared to RS and significantly lower compared to ET even at the starting strain of 25 W (1.94 kcal/min). Hemodynamic parameters tested demonstrated lower HR, unchanged SBP, and higher DBP during the VG compared with ET. Comparing all measured parameters it can be said that the relation of blood pressure and energy consumption during VG might not be favorable. Copyright \copyright2007 Society for Psychophysiological Research.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Machinima is a technique that relies on the use of 3D game engines to generate a
recorded performance in virtual worlds. It is rooted in the gaming community and the
interactive access that is part of games’ nature but it also applies cinematic
language. Technically, it can be realized as a linear video, a recorded event-world, or
a ‘live performance,’ with each form offering different possibilities and limitations. All
three forms are interconnected and share some key elements. Four of these
elements are the remediation of cinematic effects and of the underlying game engine
that leads to a form of virtual puppetry and hyperrealism. These features describe a
wide range of expressions – especially concerning the rich visual stylization – as well
as severe limitations – particularly in the actors’ controls and animations. They
position Machinima in a rough framework of expressive features. Offering the highest
level of interactive functionality, the ‘live performance’ Machinima has the most
potential for interactive storytelling. Three main examples from different fields
exemplify this potential. It is here that Machinima offers access to new forms that
combine cinematic visualization and live performance.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Motivating burned children to participate actively in rehabilitation at the burn unit demands many creative ideas. To avoid resistance from the child towards the exercises, it is important to offer a variety of techniques. A new play technique is outlined here, based on the use of video games, that is capable of motivating and stimulating children of all ages - even the youngest - towards active participation in rehabilitation.
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
An explanatory study is conductedto examine the different kinds of rules in video games. Two layers of game, the abstract and the narrative layer, are explored to unify the study of gameplay and narratives. Derivatives of paidea rules and ludus rules are analyzed in relation to gameplay and narratives. A model is presented to show the relation between rules, gameplay, and narratives. Video games are seen as having two layers, an abstract layer and a narrative layer, which are linked by game rules. It is hence maintained that gameplay and narratives should not be antagonistic; they should be complementary when studying video games.
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