ErGoGenicErGoGenic

Games Games Research GroupResearch Group building games for a healthy futurebuilding games for a healthy future

What is the What is the ErGoGenic Game Research ErGoGenic Game Research

Group (EGG)?Group (EGG)?

• EGG is committed to developing dynamic, engaging digital games which combine fun, education and health.

• EGG builds on interdisciplinary collaborations between the arts, medical science, exercise physiology, computer science, social science, and engineering.

• The EGG team consists of a core interdisciplinary team of game developers, psychologists, and a physician.

• EGG fills a critical need to facilitate the integration of recent research and practice from multiple disciplines, academia and industry.

• Specific to the nature of this unique interdisciplinary group, are overlapping areas of study including:

* medical physiological factors* behavioral technology* innovative interface development* game design & development

The Evolution of the The Evolution of the ErGoGenics Game Research ErGoGenics Game Research

GroupGroup• EGG grew out of an interdisciplinary group project in

Experimental Game Design class, a class which encourages students to create next generation games which go beyond the first person shooter paradigm.

• The project entitled, SynergySynergy, a cooperative action game, was featured in articles from:– the Times Union– Reuters International– the New York Times

• A medical physician, Dr. Richard Adler, former CEO of CDPHP read the first article and wanted to team up with us for research he is doing with childhood obesity and diabetes.

• EGGEGG works in dialog with Rensselaer Alumni owned companies such as 1st Playable and ZBM Games in addition to other companies such as Red Octane, a well known DDR (dance pad) manufacturer.

EGG Interdisciplinary EGG Interdisciplinary Research Team MembersResearch Team Members

Kathleen Ruiz, M.A. (abd, Ph.D.)Associate Professor of Electronic ArtsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Ralph Noble Ph.D.Associate Professor, Cognitive ScienceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Richard Adler, M.D. Clinical Associate Professor Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Sybillyn Jennings, Ph.D. Professor of PsychologyRussell Sage College

Julie McIntyre, Ph.D., Professor of PsychologyRussell Sage College

ZBM Games:Brian RattaB.S., Comp Sci ’05 RPITechnical DesignerMatthew GiacomazzoB.S., EMAC ’05 RPIArt DesignerAndrew "Zif" Horton,B.S., Comp Sci/EMAC ’05 Game Designer

Professor Noble will direct the project to reverse engineer the behavioral technology underlying DDR and reduce the barriers to entry as a first step in developing an array of  computer based fitness software projects that are friendly to the casual user. 

Ralph NobleAssociate Professor, Cognitive

Science Rensselaer

Kathleen RuizAssociate Professor of Electronic

Arts Rensselaer

Develop concept art, maps, and drawings for level designs, characters, and schemas for game simulations. Oversee large scale design with our affiliates.

Richard Adler, M.D.Clinical Professor

Rensselaer

Determine physiologic and biochemical measures to be monitored during the project, establish an efficient method of collecting information and storing data, ensure safety of project, and monitor accuracy of information being collected.

Sybillyn Jennings, Ph.D. & Julie McIntyre, Ph.D.

Professors of Psychology, Russell Sage College

• will design interview protocols and other data-gathering techniques to probe DDR users’ perceptions of their game play as leisure or an exercise regimen and whether these perceptions differ between women and men.

• examine the role of social support and peer lifestyle influence in regulating food intake around the game environment.

• determine the kind of game design that will appeal to female populations.

• find out whether casting the game as DANCE rather than as EXERCISE—play rather than work--makes a difference in females’ interest and sustained engagement with a game.

ZBM Games

Research Team consisting of RPI student alumni Brian Ratta, Matthew Giacomazzo and Andrew "Zif" Horton

Software development and technical design, game art development, 2d visual art and animation production, audio composition, and interface design.

The First Target ProblemThe First Target Problem

• Obesity and insulin resistance are related predecessors of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and other serious diseases.

• Over 70% of Americans are affected by these disorders.

• Sedentary lifestyle is rampant with a 13% decrease in physical activity over the past 20 years.

• The termination of physical education programs, the widespread use of computers, and videogames significantly reduce caloric expenditure previously experienced by children.

It is widely known that regular, rigorous exercise is the major modifier of insulin resistance and obesity.

EGG MethodologyEGG Methodology

• The Basic approach is multidisciplinary: integrating research, design, and implementation in one group.

• EGGEGG is developing physical interfaces that use bio-feedback to directly effect game play in digital games to encourage reaching and maintaining healthy levels of cardiovascular activity.

• EGG EGG will prototype, test, and evaluate various strategies of cardiovascular interactive game play.

• EGGEGG will design games which will test satiation.

EGGEGG is creating a wide array of interactive videogames for a healthy digital lifestyle.