Applying Artificial Intelligence to Game User Research: A Systematic Review

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master_Li_Fengyu_2024.pdf (2.62 MB)

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Perustieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis
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Date

2024-08-19

Department

Major/Subject

Human-Computer Interaction and Design

Mcode

SCI3020

Degree programme

Master's Programme in ICT Innovation

Language

en

Pages

60+16

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Abstract

This thesis systematically reviews the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in game user research (GUR). GUR aims to enhance game design by under-standing player experiences and behaviours. Traditional GUR methods are costly and time-consuming, prompting interest in AI-driven approaches. Through a process combining mapping study and the systematic review, I in-vestigate related papers from 2018 to 2024 under the PRSIMA guideline, and screend 50 papers for the final review. By summarizing AI methods applied to GUR, the objectives of applying, the way to utilise AI methods and the flaws of AI methods, I describe the status of applying AI to GUR from academic papers, where the dominant way to utilise AI is simulating player behaviour, and the most of objectives is to conduct playtesting without the participation of human players to benefit game user research. Through investigations with industry practitioners, this thesis summarizes the misalignment between academic research and industry, indicating a lack of diversity in the distribution of GUR methods that AI applies to in academia and conducting a critical review from a practical game development perspective. The thesis also indicates the gap and future direction to deepen the explora-tion of applying AI and enhancing AI's practical application in game user re-search.

Description

Supervisor

Nieminen, Mika

Thesis advisor

Nieminen, Mika

Keywords

game user research, artificial intelligence, systematic review, human-computer interaction, survey, mapping study

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202412298138

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[dipl] Perustieteiden korkeakoulu / SCI