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The Perspectives of Older People on Digital Gaming: Interactions with Console and Tablet-Based Games

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Serious Games, Interaction and Simulation (SGAMES 2016)

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Abstract

The paper aims to investigate the correlation between the challenges associated with older people, their existing engagement with digital gaming, the andragogical perspectives and existing game design attributes. A pilot study was performed with 14 participants aged 55 and above. Data was collected from their interactions with and experiences of digital gaming. Questionnaires and group discussions were performed to collect feedback and perspectives on the experience. Preliminary results demonstrated that older people’s initial perspectives and perceptions towards digital gaming and gameplay were influenced by perceived or assumed difficulties, relevance and benefits. Furthermore, the participants’ perspectives and attitudes changed once they have broken the confidence barrier associated to engaging with new technologies and experienced the enjoyment from the social aspects of the engagement. They have also demonstrated renewed interest in digital games, and understanding of the potential of using digital games for achieving serious purposes, such as promoting a healthy lifestyle.

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Acknowledgments

This research is funded by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and the Ministry of Education Malaysia. Thanks to all participants for taking part in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Serious Games Institute, Coventry University Technology Park, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2TL, UK

    Suriati Khartini Jali

  2. Disruptive Media Learning Lab, Frederick Lanchester Library, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2TL, UK

    Sylvester Arnab

Authors
  1. Suriati Khartini Jali
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  2. Sylvester Arnab
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suriati Khartini Jali .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Carlos Vaz de Carvalho

  2. Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Paula Escudeiro

  3. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    AntĂłnio Coelho

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© 2017 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering

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Jali, S.K., Arnab, S. (2017). The Perspectives of Older People on Digital Gaming: Interactions with Console and Tablet-Based Games. In: Vaz de Carvalho, C., Escudeiro, P., Coelho, A. (eds) Serious Games, Interaction and Simulation. SGAMES 2016. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 176. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51055-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51055-2_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51054-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51055-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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