Ethnography
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Transcript of Ethnography
![Page 1: Ethnography](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062406/55ce4d56bb61eb57528b45bc/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Gaming Ethnography: How to Discern and Evaluate Player
Experience
Jeremy Pesner
“The Pezman”
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What is this about?
Player experience obviously very important for games
Whether designer, researcher or general enthusiast
Clarifies what players enjoys/dislikes about the game
Can also be used with finished games to derive clearer understanding of what makes them work
It’s easier than you might think to make a mistake…
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For Those Who Don’t Know…
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Ethnography (eTHˈnägrəfē)
(noun) The scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures
Various levels of interaction with those you’re studying - may speak with or silently observe subjects
Generally qualitative
People study anything from native cultures to patient interaction in hospitals to fan communities
Studies may last for years
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Uses of Ethnography
in Gaming
Typically used for interaction in virtual worlds/MMOs
Ethnography frequently analyzes communities (rather than individuals)
Can help to understand how players interact with each other
I’m going to use it in a more individualized context
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Grounded Theory
The process of theory-building through data gathering
In contrast to many social studies of the time, which sought to validate existing social theories
(e.g. Marxist theory of class)
Glaser & Strauss (1967), Charmaz (2006)
Don’t let prior assumptions guide your thinking - rely on the data
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Codes and Categories
“Codes” - Small, tangible ideas observed through data
Nothing to do with computer code
“Categories” - Groupings of codes that come together to form a major aspect of the data
“Theory” - Establishing relationship of categories to one another through thorough understanding of data
Seems vague, but actually very powerful if you do it right
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Example
Ethnography site: MAGFest (because why not?)
Codes: Arcade cabinets, costumes, merchandise, band performances, alcohol, camaraderie
Categories: Video game cultural artifacts, celebratory practices
Theory: MAGFest is an event where people come to have a good time and enjoy video game culture
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Let’s Give It a (very expedited) Shot
Remember, observe the data (the player, their actions)
Ask specific, focused questions (not “did you have fun?”)
Encourage them to provide more data than less
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What Did We Learn, Class?Basic codes?
Any categories?
Are we excited to learn more?
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This IS possible to beat
(I did it.)
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Let’s Do It Again!
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Did it go better?
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One More Time!
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Getting the hang of it?
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And that’s gaming ethnography
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Conclusion
Ethnography & Grounded Theory are powerful tools for games and other digital programs
More formal than “observe and figure out”
Can help to build a vocabulary of player actions and reactions
Can help game designers to develop their games in response to what they know players know