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(305) Making Sense of Brain Games: A Scientific Analysis of Game Design in the Brain Fitness Market
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Games to exercise the brain have emerged as a specialized serious games market segment, in the form of individual games and companies specializing a coordinated suite of good-for-you cognitive workouts. Neuroscience research addresses the question of whether playing games can improve cognitive functioning. Michigan State University's brain game design research looks at whether today's brain games are good games. Using scientific methods, MSU faculty and students have analyzed a random sample of individual and brain fitness company brain games. The research characterizing brain game design along the lines of graphics and sound, premise, rules, conflict, challenge, character, feedback, navigation, and story as well as which forms of fun and specific cognitive functions are targeted. Any casual observer who has tried some of these games has probably noticed that brain games tend to offer much less engaging game play than a typical successful online casual game. They appear not to be fun enough to attract players unless the player is overtly concerned about brain fitness. A clear exception to this rule is Nintendo's Brain Age (from a company who, not coincidentally, creates other highly successful commercial games). In fairness, serious games are not expected to be as fun or as well designed as high budget blockbuster commercial games. But it is reasonable to ask what level of production quality and player experience is typical in brain games today. The Michigan State University GEL Lab (Games for Entertainment and Learning) undertook a systematic, scientific analysis of the state of the art of brain game design, looking at games offered individually and those that are part of coordinated brain fitness suites. These are some of the questions the study addressed: What design features are common across most games? Which cognitive functions are targeted? Do the games incorporate structural and dramatic elements? Is there a premise and storyline? Characters? Levels? How fun are the games, and why are they fun? What kind of player navigation, feedback and scoring is used? Is the game replayable? Most individuals concerned about cognitive decline are older. Do brain game color schemes make use of high contrast and large type to accommodate mature eyes? The researchers offer an in depth portrait of the state of the art of modern brain game design and discuss next steps for this emerging market.

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