A Design Framework for Reflective Play

Josh Aaron Miller, Kutub Gandhi, Matthew Whitby, Mehmet Kosa, Seth Cooper, Elisa Mekler, Jo Iacovides

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Recent research has begun exploring games as a medium for reflection due to their affordances as interactive systems of challenge. However, little effort has been put into (1) synthesizing insights across studies and disciplines and (2) translating the academic work on reflective play into practical takeaways for game developers. This article takes the first steps toward summarizing existing work on reflective play and translating insights for practical implementation by identifying key game elements present in games that evoke reflection. We divide these elements into five approaches: Disruptions, Slowdowns, Questioning, Revisiting, and Enhancers. Finally, we provide an actionable supplement for practicing game developers to apply these concepts to their games.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI 2024 - Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9798400703300
ISBN (Print)979-8-4007-0330-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 May 2024
Event2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Sytems, CHI 2024 - Hybrid, Honolulu, United States
Duration: 11 May 202416 May 2024

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Sytems, CHI 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHybrid, Honolulu
Period11/05/2416/05/24

Bibliographical note

© 2024 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the University’s Research Publications and Open Access policy.

Keywords

  • games
  • meaningful games
  • refiection
  • refiective game design
  • refiective informatics

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