Investigating the Impact of Cooperative Communication Mechanics on Player Performance in Portal 2
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Vaddi, Deepika
Toups, Zachary
Dolgov, Igor
Wehbe, Rina Renee
Nacke, Lennart
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Human-Computer Communications Society
Abstract
Cooperative communication mechanics, such as avatar gestures or in-game visual pointers, enable player collaboration directly through gameplay. We currently lack a deeper understanding of how players use cooperative communication mechanics, and whether they can effectively supplement or even supplant traditional voice and chat communication. The present research investigated player communication in Portal 2 by testing the game’s native cooperative communication mechanics for dyads of players in custom test chambers. Following our initial hypothesis, players functioned best when they had access to both cooperative communication mechanics and voice. We found that players preferred voice communication, but perceived cooperative communication mechanics as necessary to coordinate interdependent actions.
Description
Keywords
Cooperative communication mechanics, Player communication, Portal 2, Player performance, Group and Organization Interfaces, Computer-supported cooperative work