Augmented Board Games – Enhancing board games with electronics

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Peitz Johan Eriksson Daniel Björk Staffan
2005 DiGRA '05 - Proceedings of the 2005 DiGRA International Conference: Changing Views: Worlds in Play

This paper examines Augmented Board Games, the result of using computational power to extend functionality and gameplay in board games. Experimental interaction design has been used as the primary research method, through the use of numerous models and design tools, including social and functional roles, game design patterns, and task analysis. The paper is concluded with descriptions of concepts and prototypes as well as novel game design possibilities within the design space of augmented board games.

 

Should I stay or should I go? – Boundary maintaining mechanisms in Left 4 Dead 2

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Linderoth Jonas Björk Staffan Olsson Camilla
2012 DiGRA Nordic '12: Proceedings of 2012 International DiGRA Nordic Conference

In this paper we report an ethnographic study of Pick Up Groups (PUGs) in the game Left 4 Dead 2. Our aim with the study is to contribute with a deeper understanding of how these new social arenas are constituted by its’ participants and the role game design plays in structuring these encounters. As a deliberate attempt to go beyond the discussion in the game studies field about formalism versus play studies, we use both concepts from micro-sociology as well as concepts from the field of game design as our analytical framework. Our results shows that the dynamics of a PUG can be understood in relation to how players uphold and negotiate the boundary between the their in-game-identity based on their gaming skill and a other social relations outside of the game context.