Search

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used measure of customer loyalty. It was touted as "the one number you need to grow" due to a purported relationship between the NPS and firm growth. A number of academic papers have examined this macro relationship with decidedly mixed results. In this study, we focus on the micro relationship between a customer's loyalty segment (Promoter, Passive, or Detractor) and purchasing behavior. While other studies focus on the relationship between a customer's NPS segment and word of mouth (the other driver of firm growth), only a few have examined the impact of the NPS segment on consumer retention and future spending. Unlike prior studies using consumers, we have objective measures of retention, past spending, and future spending. We explore three important research questions: (1) Does past purchase behavior vary differ across the NPS segments? (2) Does future consumer behavior vary across the NPS segments? And (3) How do the NPS segments compare to other metrics in predicting future consumer behavior? Our data comes from post-visit surveys and transaction histories from the casino gaming industry. We find Promoters have significantly higher levels of past spending, retention, and future spending (controlling for past spending) than Detractors. However, using other metrics such as satisfaction or likelihood-to-revisit provides comparable fit to the data. Furthermore, the average difference in future spending between the Promoters and Defectors is small, despite its statistical significance. While this study provides empirical validation of the use of the NPS segments to capture differences in consumer behavior, managers have options with comparable explanatory power to measure the state of their relationships with customers. This study adds to the very limited empirical research that validates the assumptions about consumer behavior that underlie the use of the NPS for predicting firm growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we focus on the folklore created by the players and communities of the critically acclaimed and popular Japanese role-playing game Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix, 1997). The formation of what we call Final Fantasy VII fan folklore is presented here as a mixture of the game's transmediality (with official walkthroughs and guidebooks) and elements of the game kept secret by the developers (as well as several false rumors), which were carefully discovered and circulated by the players through an oral tradition (offline and later online) that circulate to this day. By conducting a narrative analysis of the official commercial for Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix, 2020), we argue that the creation of Final Fantasy VII fan folklore has become an important contemporary experiential feature of a nostalgic turn in the gaming industry, and we show that remakes and new editions of older popular products rely heavily on the specific new form of folklore that goes beyond one game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Videogames are an increasingly prominent use case for blockchain technology (what has been termed 'cryptogaming'). Drawing on documents, such as industry presentations, social media posts, interviews and white papers, this article analyses discourses surrounding cryptogames, focusing on the claims made by cryptogame developers and investors. We ask two related research questions: What are the dominant visions of a cryptogaming future, imagined by and for various constituencies? And what sorts of values get realised in such an imagined future of game development and use? We argue that cryptogames imagine players and developers as financialised subjects, adopting attitudes and practices of risk and investment as salves to both microeconomic problems in the games industry as well as broader macroeconomic issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth, and videogames in various forms have become an integral part of our daily routines. While research has delved into motivations for playing specific types of videogames, such as online multiplayer games, there is still a need for exploration of the broader concept of video game engagement, irrespective of the genre. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a gaming motivation scale that focuses on the intrinsic reasons and psychological aspects of video game motivation. Additionally, the goal was to create a scale that does not rely on game genres to assess gamers' motivational profiles. Research methods: The study was conducted in two phases, involving a total of 2641 Italian participants. In the first phase, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed with data from Italian 543 participants (M = 28.92; sd = 8.26). In the second phase, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with data collected from 2098 participants (M = 31.60, sd = 8.81), showing an adequate fit to the theorized model (2 (878) =3843.28; CFI =.95, TLI =.95, RMSEA =.040, and SRMR =.042). Key Findings and Discussion: In the first part of the study, EFA confirmed 14 dimensions out of the original 18. While CFA demonstrated that the scale had good reliability, with values ranging from.77 to.94. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between the Psychological Motivations for playing Video Games (PMPVGs) scale and dimensions from the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ) and Gaming Motivation Scale (GAMS) scales. The final version of the scale comprises 12 dimensions with 45 items in total and it holds potential to explore the players' psychological needs satisfied through the gaming activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an ethnography of gamemaking in the Toronto game development scene, I introduce the concept of the everyday gamemaker to reveal how the everyday turn of game production work has transformed the identities of gameworkers. Whereas, previous research has documented the extensive self-exploitation and willingness of creative workers to accept difficult and precarious working conditions, I uncover how everyday gamemakers "make-do" with these modes of cultural production by their desires to going it alone as independent gamemakers, establish second careers through employment and craft work, and find professional development opportunities to make games. I argue these desires shape the nuanced work and leisure identities of everyday gamemakers and evoke their widespread struggle to achieve creative autonomy in the circuits of game production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominant technology in high-tech industries refers to the technology that can break the stability and balance of the original technology system within a certain period and is widely adopted under the interaction of technological possibility and market choice. It is of theoretical and practical necessity to explore dominant technology's formation under overlapping niche. Thus, based on niche theory and competitive game theory, we established a competitive game model of dominant technology formation, and dynamically simulated the shape of dominant technology. This paper uses 'the proportion of user adoption' to measure dominant technology market share in high-tech industry and maintains that obtaining over 50% confers an obvious competitive advantage. Therefore, we draw three main conclusions: (1) Dominant technology formation in high-tech industry is influenced by R&D input, adopter preferences, adoption returns and the decision-making cost; (2) dominant technology formation under niche overlap can be described as a continuous accumulation and complex dynamic process; and (3) The main goal in the new technology competitive game is to obtain a larger market share, and the interaction in this game, which has two possible results, is complex, dynamic, diverse, and nonlinear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Economic Administrative & Legal Sciences is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Dynamic Virtual Reality (VR) has revolutionized gaming and entertainment industries by providing immersive experiences that take users to new locations. This study presents a novel and exciting idea called virtual reality horror sports, which combines aspects of horror with sports in the VR medium. We provide a novel approach to developing adaptive VR horror games by combining player modeling approaches with an adaptive means-based system that learn about each player's individual fears and adjust the game's content accordingly. This work presents two significant advances: a unique method for determining a player's specific fears via game data and machine learning methods and an adaptive game system that employs agents to monitor players' terror experiences and restrict exposure to components that they find upsetting. Additional evidence from user studies and statistical significance testing suggests that our method may boost the stress and anxiety felt by gamers, resulting in rewarding gaming experience. When VR, horror and sports are all brought together, the outcome may compel and absorbing entertainment experience. Players will be immersed in a virtual environment that is both realistic and exciting. A dynamic virtual reality horror sports experience improved by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and player modeling provide a novel and comprehensive form of entertainment by fusing physical activity, customization and immersion in a single package. An endeavor of this kind has the potential to advance state of VR and artificial intelligence in gaming while also offering exciting and memorable adventures for gamers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to measure the mediating effect of satisfaction on the casino service quality scale – satisfaction – loyalty model, and (b) to measure the moderating effect of a tiered loyalty club (high vs. low gaming worth) on this same model. Drawing from a casino sample in the southeastern region of the United States, this study reveals a significant mediation effect of satisfaction on the casino service quality – satisfaction – loyalty model. Furthermore, the casino service quality – satisfaction – loyalty model is moderated by a tiered loyalty club. These results provide theoretical and pragmatic implications for both tourism scholars and gaming professionals to understand consumer behaviors in the gaming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity and clarity of information have long been regarded as the cornerstones of advertising strategy. However, recent game advertising has taken a different approach. Specifically, incomplete game videos, especially those showcasing losing gameplay, are more likely to stimulate players' interest compared to complete videos of winning gameplay. This study, through five experiments, uncovers a dual-pathway mechanism behind this phenomenon. Firstly, information gaps resulting from incomplete videos trigger curiosity drive, compelling viewers to seek more information and reinforcing their willingness to engage in gaming. Secondly, witnessing failures in game demonstrations activates components of downward social comparison and competitive motivation. These findings offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics of game advertising, shedding light on the effects of information gaps, curiosity, and social comparison. They provide valuable implications for advertising strategies within the gaming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The texture mapping technique based on irregular surfaces is widely used in many fields such as film and television, industry and games, etc. In order to adapt to the rapid development in the field of computer graphics and further enhance the uniformity and effectiveness of the texture mapping effect, a triangular mesh simplified texture mapping technique based on the optimized spring-fingertip is proposed. Firstly, a complex two-dimensional graph is established through the spring-fingertip model, which is parameterized and normalized to reduce the deformation of the texture; subsequently, the concept of triangular mesh simplification is introduced to optimize the model timeliness, which replaces the traditional way of folding the edges; finally, the weight of each edge is further analyzed through local curvature calculation. In order to verify the effectiveness of the texture mapping method, simulation and analysis experiments are done, and the experimental results show that the accuracy of the model reaches 99.25%, which is an average improvement of 7.19% relative to the remaining four models. Therefore, the texture mapping model based on optimized triangular mesh effectively improves the realism of the mapping effect and reduces the computational burden of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research strongly supports the use of narrative videogames in the literacy/English classroom. However, for many teachers, incorporating videogames into their teaching practice is highly challenging. This article offers new insights into the potential of videogames as a pedagogical tool for literacy/English by exploring the barriers that teachers face when teaching with videogames, identifying how these barriers might be overcome and assessing whether the benefits of narrative videogames outweigh the practical difficulties of using them in the classroom. This participatory multiple‐case study explores the experiences of six teachers, working in a range of contexts, who each undertook an action research project to assess the barriers to and benefits of teaching literacy/English with narrative videogames. The findings show that although the participants faced barriers related to practical considerations, game choice, pedagogical knowledge and negative attitudes, almost all barriers could be overcome, and the benefits of learning far outweighed the difficulties faced. This article offers a new model for how to overcome barriers to using videogames to teach literacy/English and makes recommendations for both educational practice and the games industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The game industry is booming and has received increasing attention from researchers in recent years. While many researchers have taken an interest in the congruence between game avatars and the ideal/actual self of players, the current study provided an initial exploration of ideal other-image congruence (i.e., congruence between the game character and the image of the player's ideal others, such as ideal lovers, friends, etc.) and its relationship with purchase intention. The present study comprised a sample of 11,586 players of a role-play game (Genshin Impact) who took an online survey that assessed ideal self-/actual self-/ideal other-/actual other-image congruence, character liking, character attachment, and purchase intention. The results demonstrated that (i) ideal other-image congruence outweighs other image congruence variables, (ii) ideal other-image congruence has the highest correlation with purchase intention and (iii) character liking and character attachment mediate the relationship between ideal other-image congruence and purchase intention. The present study provided the first evidence for the existence and potential importance of ideal other-image congruence, and multiple directions of future research from this new perspective are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital game industry has actively integrated data-driven methods into its core processes. This interview-based study shows how game industry professionals perceive the role of data as part of their everyday work. Analysing the data-related notions and negotiations helps to explicate how mainstream data imaginaries are both reproduced and challenged in the different phases and contexts of game making. The analysis is divided into the following themes: data is everywhere, data is messy, data is constructed and data redefines creativity. The qualitative inquiry shows how the meaning of game data cannot be reduced to individual metrics or analytics services, or new positions like data analysts. Data-driven development is based on particular values and assumptions, and it creates new practices, working cultures and conflicting forms of agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data, as one of the creative economy sectors, the game industry has much potential to boost the Indonesian economy. The total market value of the games industry in Indonesia is US$ 1.92 billion or 25 trillion rupiah. However, This qualitative research uses interview methods with key informants, observation, and literature study, with purposive sampling as a sampling technique. The results show that the core industry value chain of the game industry cluster consists of Game Developers and Game Publishers and is supported by Supply industries (hardware providers, HR, digital content, and financial services) and supporting industries (marketing, logistics, law, and networks). There are related institutions/institutions such as the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Indonesian Game Association. This industry is also related to animation, music, e-sports and tourism. This value chain ends with buyers. This research recommends concrete steps for relevant agencies to enhance the gaming industry ecosystem through human resource development, increasing access to financing, promotion and providing technological infrastructure. Collaboration across industries is expected to increase the global competitiveness and contribute significantly to the national creative economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, important advances have taken place to improve game accessibility for all types of players. However, audio description (AD), the access service that translates images into words, is yet to be widely implemented in mainstream games. This paper presents part of the results of the Researching Audio Description Project: Translation, Delivery and New Scenarios (RAD). One of the main objectives of the project is to investigate the potential inclusion of AD in video games in order to improve their accessibility and to contribute to a more enjoyable experience for persons with visual disabilities. First, the evolution of game accessibility is discussed, including the latest developments in the field, both from the industry and research perspectives. Secondly, the RAD Project is presented. Thirdly, the data collected from a survey addressed to blind and low vision persons in Spain is described, for which 106 valid answers were received. Survey topics include the game accessibility barriers encountered by participants, their desired solutions, and their interest in the potential application of AD. Finally, results are discussed regarding similar studies, limitations, and future research. Survey participants are interested in including AD in video games, particularly in non-interactive sections such as cutscenes. Other pressing issues for the game industry regarding accessibility are improving screen reader compatibility, enhancing sounds, and exploring the technical feasibility of game AD in real-time action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refresh rate is an important specification for gaming OLED monitors. With the development of the gaming industry and the graphics processing unit (GPU), the demand for gaming monitors that supporting high refresh rates is increasing. In this paper, simulation methods for perceived motion blur are proposed to predict the degree of blur according to the refresh rate. Experimental results indicate that the proposed simulation methods are quite effective in predicting the degree of motion blur. In addition, this paper presents the predicted results of blur as the refresh rate increases up to 480Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of consumer participation in the new product development process within the gaming industry, focusing on its impact on Consumer Brand Identification (CBI), with brand attractiveness as a mediating factor. Using a between‐subjects experimental design, we tested three scenarios of consumer participation and analyzed the data with one‐way ANOVA and mediation analysis. The findings reveal that although consumer involvement enhances brand attractiveness, it does not significantly increase brand identification. This research provides new insights into the limited effects of consumer participation on deepening brand connections despite its positive influence on brand perception. This study is one of the first to empirically explore the varying impacts of consumer participation on CBI within the gaming sector, offering a nuanced understanding of its role in shaping brand perception. Practical implications suggest that while consumer involvement is beneficial for enhancing brand attractiveness, its effectiveness in fostering brand identification is limited, and marketers should temper expectations when employing this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precarious careers in the games industry have long relied on the unpaid and largely feminized support of spouses and family members. This paper addresses the role of spouses and other domestic cohabitants in the production of live game broadcasts on Twitch, Amazon's world-leading platform in live video entertainment. I introduce the heuristic of the 'Twitch Spouse' to underscore the crucial role that domestic partners have played as invisible workers in the wider games industry, whose precarious conditions have been extended by the rise of at-home livestreaming. Drawing from 'playful' interviews and ethnographic observation with 12 Twitch creators located across the United States and Canada, I delineate three themes by which the partners of Twitch streamers vitally contribute to livestreaming: collaborative space production, the management of intimacy, and timekeeping. Herein, I show how a theorization of the 'Twitch Spouse' will build future pathways for recognizing the intertwined struggles of domestic and digital work within the precarious horizons of the game industry. This paper argues that Twitch streamers' conceptualizations of intimate partners' supportive labour reinforce domesticity and visibility as co-extended forces in the evolving relevance of digital labour to contemporary capitalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profit distribution in sequential innovation is a crucial yet relatively unexplored area of empirical research. With novel cross-section data from the game live-streaming industry, we are the first to assess the contribution shared by initial and follow-on innovators empirically. Unlike the complex innovation paths of patents, the copyright structure within the game live-streaming industry is clear and concise, enabling direct measurement of innovation value. At the industry's average level, the share stands at 1:2 between game producers and streamers. This measurement remains robust even after controlling for income levels and distinguishing between professionals and amateurs. Nevertheless, significant heterogeneity exists across different game genres. We suggest that a balanced distribution scheme between initial and follow-on innovators should seriously consider their contribution shares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the absorption rate of alumni in the industry has decreased. Alumni who are already working, have independent studios, or work as freelancers are also impacted by the deteriorating economic conditions in Indonesia. Competition among graduates in the creative industry, including UM Animation Game D3 graduates, is intensifying, particularly in the local sphere. If not anticipated, many of them may face unemployment. Globalization and technological developments have enabled the game and animation industry to thrive during the pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this community service activity is to organize a Sharing and Discussion event to provide a space for discussion for workers in the creative industries, especially in the field of Games and Animation who have been successful during the pandemic with UM Animation Game alumni. The methodology employed in this initiative involves sharing and discussion sessions to elicit insights from alumni and presenters. This study concludes that alumni who working as freelancers, studio owners, and industry employees face career constraints and a declining market during the pandemic. This is because they do not take advantage of globalization to increase career paths to capture a wider market. On the other hand, according to the presenters, to be able to take advantage of globalization, alumni should have a good portfolio and be presented professionally, be involved in international scale forums and activities, take advantage of international scale networking platforms, have a good attitude at work, have the commitment to continue to develop, and master the international language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Index.Comunicación is the property of Index.comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Media Representations of Macau's Gaming Industry in Greater China, written by Yuxi Wu, adopts a corpus-based critical discourse analysis method to compare newspaper media representations of Macau's gaming industry in 2014 in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, the three regions of China with different historical backgrounds, economic conditions, political systems, and social norms. The topical preferences, attitudinal differences and ideological stances of English-language newspapers published in these three regions are revealed in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the Internet information age, the game industry is booming, and online game plug-ins have come into being as cheats. From the definition and classification of online game cheats, it is found that the crimes involved mainly include the crimes of destroying computer information systems, copyright infringement, illegal business operations, and illegal computer intrusion under the Criminal Code of China, as well as the Personal Information Protection Law and the Unfair Prevention Law touched by the Japanese Criminal Law. This paper analyzes the possibility of criminalization and punishment of online game plug-in producers and sellers from three aspects: the main body of the online game market, policy orientation, and legal improvement. Comparing the criminalization and punishment of Chinese and Korean network plug-in users, it is possible to refer to the legal measures in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As previous generations of players have aged and new generations with new tastes and expectations have emerged, the game industry has increasingly turned to high-profile remasters and remakes to re-valorize old software for new market conditions. To date, scholars and journalists have viewed this development almost entirely through an authenticity-focused lens inherited from preservation discourses, which has led many to dismiss rerelease efforts as simultaneously derivative and ahistorical. But this focus on authenticity has obscured the complex cultural and economic processes which give rise to rereleased games and the heterogeneity of the adaptive strategies that the industry has produced to appeal to varied consumer groups. This paper argues that we should instead view remastering and remaking as sub-practices of what I call temporalization, which, like the more familiar practice of localization, should be viewed as a creatively challenging and politically underdetermined cultural force which demands analysis on its own terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ModaPalavra e-periódico is the property of Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The gaming industry has seen a considerable expansion thanks to the ever-increasing and widespread consumption of digital games in different contexts of use and across all age groups. We are witnessing a commercial boom and awakening the attention of researchers from different scientific areas to address an interdisciplinary topic. Digital games consumption has inspired some studies investigating the use and adoption of these games and, in this context, we ask: "how has the use and adoption of digital games by adults been studied?". We conducted a documental study with a meta-analysis approach to answer these questions, considering the most relevant research papers published in the last fifteen years, according to a set of inclusion criteria. The planned objectives consider identifying the main dimensions in the studies about the use and adoption of digital games by adults and the findings of this study delineate several dimensions as prospective latent variables for inclusion in future studies within acceptance models for digital games. Furthermore, our research illuminates the socialization dimension, particularly when amalgamated with other conceptual dimensions. This nuanced understanding underscores the intricate interplay between various factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of digital gaming technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gaming industry has changed since advanced technologies and hardware specifications were able to create the possibility of gaming with connective network or known as online gaming. Some communities are accepting positively, and others are contradicted. Thus, there is an urgency to know the insight from their sentiment. The present research extracts 10 thousand sentiments at social media with sentiment text analysis. The text is interpreted into six based emotions namely anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise. The mining analysis by lexicon valance aware dictionary and sentiment reasoner (VADER) projects the Joy emotions as the domination result with 94.74%. Positive joy expression on online gaming is revealed by extracting the sentiment analysis. In total, ten thousand data were collected from the corpus, which resulted in the happy sentiments that were experienced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of modern large language models are diverse and new at the same time. It is forecasted that the scientific society and businesses may experience a long period of time exploring all opportunities and challenges for using them which will allow analysis of the impact on how advanced generative artificial intelligence is changing work occupation activities and performance efficiency. Undoubtedly, today’s question that every business must answer is not if but how to implement large language models, due to their ability to transform numerous business processes. This study aims to give a better understanding on how large language models are contributing to the process of exploratory data analysis as they are not here to replace the traditional methods but to add generative artificial intelligence capabilities to the well-established ones. The results of this paper reveal high level of accuracy of the paired output between operation prompts in OpenAI’s large language model and human-mediated entry. However, such output comparison highlighs the need for more informative and specific input prompts to ascertain this accuracy. Further caveats that need to be placed in consideration refer to possible system downtimes, as well as the expenses incurred with every prompt execution. Nevertheless, the comparative speed of operation of large language models remains their most substantial competitive advantage. Overall, the findings in this paper contribute to understanding that large language models streamline with ease the desired extraction of insightful information which may further be used for better decision-making, good data management, and design of winning growth strategy as is the case of the gaming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates Korean teen females' Kakao gaming culture by focusing on the political economy of mobile social games and the issue of free labor within free-to-play games. Through focus group interviews with 23 teen females, the study explores how the connective properties of the KakaoTalk platform affect the logics of Kakao Games and how gamers' social activities become monetized and commodified by game companies. Based on the monetization strategies of free-to-play games and the theoretical framework of exploitation and alienation in digital labor, we analyze how the game companies subtly conceal viral marketing tools under the mask of socializing components, specifically by encouraging users to send invitations and hearts, as well as engage in boasting. We argue that while this process multiplies revenue for the corporate territory of game companies and platform businesses, teen female gamers are alienated not only from their game play and social labor but also from themselves and others, thus revealing commodified social relations. This study interrogates the impact of the platformization and gamblification of the game industry and underscores the risk they produce for vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gaming industry is poised for a revolution with the advent of a novel system that utilizes cameras and computer vision to accurately track and analyze player body positions and movements, eliminating the need for wearable sensors. This groundbreaking technology promises to transform the gaming landscape, ushering in an era of immersive and interactive experiences. By harnessing the power of OpenCV, the proposed system seamlessly captures and interprets player movements, enabling natural and intuitive game control. This approach offers a myriad of benefits, including enhanced gameplay, heightened user engagement, and unprecedented accessibility for individuals with physical limitations. The introduction of this sensor-free gaming technology marks a paradigm shift, paving the way for a future where gaming is more engaging, accessible, and immersive than ever before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, creative job seekers have turned to nontraditional and interactive resume formats to help set themselves apart from other candidates. The "game resume" is one such example that continues to garner praise eleven years after the first publicly available example by graphic designer Robby Leonardi. This study investigates: a) the history of nontraditional and interactive resumes leading up to resumes that are playable; b) a do-it-yourself (DIY) game development culture setting the conditions for short, personal games; and c) the characteristics of an ever-expanding game resume collection on the itch.io games sharing platform. Thirty-three game resumes were isolated and manually reviewed against a comprehensive playtesting protocol, examining key design choices and features. A qualitative analysis of findings was conducted, leading to a more complete understanding of this online phenomenon, and beginning the process of characterizing and solidifying it as an emerging practice. We may reasonably conclude that: a) game resumes are almost always created by game designers, developers, and adjacent creative personalities seeking employment in the games industry; b) common game conventions such as scoring, power-ups, health bars, and inventory systems are intentionally kept light or even omitted altogether; and c) game resumes are designed to be short (less than five minutes of gameplay) and easy (player immortality) to enable an uninterrupted single playthrough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pixel art has evolved from a primitive computer image presentation to an independent digital art style. It is widely used on the internet, for graphic user interface (GUI) design, and game industries. Existing pixelation tools and algorithms generate pixel images with artifacts, color clutter, blurring, and a lack of aesthetics. Generally, aesthetics are the dominant concern for pixel art. In this paper, an art-oriented pixelation (AOP) algorithm is proposed to effectively retain the main features of the original image content and the integrity of essential details with the artistic and aesthetic styles. At the same time, the AOP algorithm enables high-quality pixel image generation of arbitrary size without paired datasets and model training effort. The experimental results demonstrate that the pixel image generated by the AOP algorithm outperforms existing algorithms and tools in terms of aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrete states linked together by events can describe a series of classical video game scenarios. Therefore, the formal concept of automata seems appropriate for describing such games. However, as simple finite automata need to keep track of past events, they are less appropriate for complex designs. By contrast, push-down automata featuring a stack present better capabilities in this context. This paper discusses an enhanced version of the classic PAC-MAN game with push-down automata. The modular design of this game allows the extraction of discrete states, and its minimalist concept enables various approaches and new versions without sacrificing its original essence. Using push-down automata expanded the game with new features, allowing an enhanced game experience. The automaton controls all aspects of the game, ensuring a consistent gameplay. The presented project demonstrates the capabilities of push-down automata in the gaming industry and their potential in future game development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines an innovation by the game industry that makes it possible to earn credits for gift cards while playing video games. This turns video gaming into something like an indirect form of gambling. One spends money to win awards through gift cards. It is indirect because the player spends money on one or more game software applications, and then uses a different software application to collect the rewards. For this paper we downloaded one of these payment application and several games to examine how much money one can earn, incentives to spend money, and the potential risk of these applications. Additional issues related to gambling content and advertising in these software applications are also discussed. It is argued that governments regulators need to examine this type of scheme to determine if it is gambling and if regulations are needed to protect consumers, especially youth, and to monitor the integrity of the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Diversitätsforschung und -Management is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The integration of the internet with digital games has catalyzed significant transformations in the production, distribution, and consumption within the gaming industry. A notable catalyst in this evolution is the advent of live-streaming platforms, particularly Twitch. This study employs qualitative meta-analysis to scrutinize 19 scientific studies, aiming to synthesize a comprehensive interpretation of Twitch's role and influence in the digital gaming arena. Our analysis reveals Twitch's multifaceted impact: it is a driving force in the digital economy, facilitating new job creation, diverse revenue streams for industry participants, and a fertile ground for innovation and ideation. Twitch has revolutionized the landscape for game designers, producers, and developers, fostering independence and enhancing the quality and quantity of independent game productions. Moreover, it extends the lifespan of games in the market, resurrects interest in older titles, and assists consumers in making informed purchasing decisions. Importantly, Twitch serves as an educational platform, offering insights into specialized gaming industry skills, including design and programming. These roles and functions position Twitch as a pivotal player in the dynamic and burgeoning digital gaming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sexual harassment of women in the casino gaming industry is pervasive and normative, yet the study of harassment and women's employment in this industry remains critically understudied. In this article, I argue the casino gaming industry is an opportune research setting in which to observe the adverse health outcomes and health disparities of workplace sexual harassment. Gaming demonstrates two salient organizational characteristics: (1) a historically male‐dominated, overtly‐sexualized culture that is primed for sexual harassment; and (2) a highly diverse, predominantly immigrant and minority workforce. As such, studying sexual harassment in the gaming industry may help in gaining key theoretical insights into who is more likely to a be target of sexual harassment; the forms in which harassment manifests (gendered, racialized, and class‐based); and who is more likely to experience its adverse health and job‐related outcomes. As more studies are warranted to disentangle the complexity of gender, race, class, citizenship status, and power in sexual harassment, and these factors intersecting and multiplying impacts on women's health and well‐being, I recommend linking the literature on sexual harassment and health with the gaming‐hospitality literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]