Tracking Player Engagement in Game Design
In the ever-evolving landscape of online gaming, one title stands out as a beacon of enduring popularity – World of Warcraft (WoW). As two educational courses, "Gamification - How to Create Engaging User Experiences" and "How to Create Intuitive Products by Imitating Physicality", prepare to close in the next two days, we delve into the world of WoW, examining its players and the intricate phases they traverse.
WoW players assume the roles of characters in a fantasy universe, with each phase presenting unique challenges and requirements. The Rookie phase, for instance, is designed to onboard new players, offering them "rookie areas" to learn the basics in relative safety. As players progress, they enter the Regular phase, where each player's needs vary, necessitating a sophisticated design response mechanism. The Regular player seeks a bigger challenge, exploring the world, forming alliances, learning more skills, and acquiring a weapon that can hurt enemies.
The Master phase, reached by players who have honed their skills over years, presents two paths. Some continue to run the same content, while others find reward in mentoring newer players. The author, having played WoW as an Undead Mage character for three years, reached the Master phase and boasts a character with the highest-grade weapons, pots of in-game money, and all the best spells.
The longevity of play for some WoW players is remarkable, with lifespans in the years. However, player fatigue, the process where players slowly become bored of a game and drop out, is a concern. Understanding the cycle of player interest can help prevent this, keeping players engaged for longer.
World of Warcraft, the most popular Massively-Multiplayer-Online-Roleplaying-Game (MMORPG), offers dozens of achievements for players to unlock even after mastering their profession and character. These achievements serve as a testament to the game's depth and the dedication of its players, who have reached the highest levels, visited every dungeon, and killed every boss.
The lifecycle of a player in WoW, according to Amy Jo Kim, splits into three phases: the Rookie, the Regular, and the Master. As these phases unfold, players immerse themselves in a world of adventure, camaraderie, and personal growth, making WoW more than just a game – it's a journey.
With "Conducting Usability Testing" closing in one day, it's a reminder that even in the realm of fantasy, understanding user experiences and creating engaging content remains crucial. The book "Gamification at Work: Designing Engaging Business Software", authored by Janaki Kumar and Mario Herger, offers insights into this area, though its publication year is not explicitly stated in the available sources.
As the curtain falls on these educational courses, we take a moment to appreciate the world of WoW and the players who make it a vibrant, enduring community. Whether you're a Rookie, a Regular, or a Master, WoW offers a stage for adventure, growth, and camaraderie – a testament to the enduring allure of immersive, engaging user experiences.
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