The Impact of Tutorial Design on the Novice Gaming Experience

Abstract

We present results of a survey conducted to identify differences in gaming behaviours between novice and intermediate/expert video game players. A survey study was conducted with the goal of identifying differences in gaming behaviours between novice and intermediate/expert video game players, particularly in the context of tutorials. We surveyed 29 participants, six of them self-identifying as novice gamers, on their experiences with tutorial sequences in games that they have played in the past. We conducted a thematic analysis in order to identify prominent themes in the participant responses. Participants indicated strong desire for optional hands-on tutorials which require player input to support contextual learning of mechanics and deepen their understanding of the game’s interface. Major participant-identified barriers to entry for novices included controller familiarity, game complexity, assumed knowledge of gaming conventions, and social stigma surrounding being a novice gamer. This research provides a starting point for further research into the specific requirements of novice players in video game tutorials and onboarding materials. We present the findings of a survey study on the self-reported gaming behaviours of players with various skill and experience levels, and provide recommendations on how video game tutorials can be designed to minimize barriers for new players and ensure that the gaming community is as inclusive to new players as possible.