The Influence of Visual Recognition and Preference in Serious Game Development: A Mixed-Method Study in Nepal

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Influence of Visual Recognition and Preference in Serious Game Development: A Mixed-Method Study in Nepal
Authors: Hua Bai, Dayana Shakya, Ulf Wilhelmsson, Jon Victor Bankler, Ran Zhang, Anna-Sofia Alklind Taylor, Abhinav Vaidya, Natalia Oli, Alexandra Krettek, Mikael Lebram
Source: International Journal of Serious Games, Vol 12, Iss 3 (2025)
Publisher Information: Serious Games Society, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: Serious games, serious games, visual literacy, health, Cross-cultural, Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa och socialmedicin, QA75.5-76.95, Human Computer Interaction, Människa-datorinteraktion (interaktionsdesign), Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine, Education, QA76.75-76.765, cross-cultural, Health, Visual literacy, Electronic computers. Computer science, game graphic, Computer software, Game graphic, Visual communication
Description: Understanding players’ diverse visual recognition and preferences, especially in cross-cultural contexts, is critical for the creation of effective serious games. This study aimed to examine how varying levels of fidelity affect players' visual recognition, preference, and overall experience in serious gaming, using a mixed-method case study in the Bhaktapur district, Kathmandu, Nepal. Forty-four participants, aged 13 to 16 years, were enrolled in an A/B gameplay test. Fourteen students participated in in-depth interviews, thirty-six completed a questionnaire, and twenty-two provided valid telemetry data. We found that higher fidelity led to more positive affect, higher familiarity, better recognition, stronger preference, and positive emotional response from players. However, challenges were encountered regarding the identification of local food items. This highlights the key role of visual literacy, as adolescents are more influenced by familiar media than by real-life experiences. Effective visual communication in serious games should consider individual differences and the playing environment.
Document Type: Article
File Description: application/pdf
ISSN: 2384-8766
DOI: 10.17083/229hsa32
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/e94f19a54a374e978ea2a80f465eda87
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-25700
Rights: CC BY NC ND
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....4adffb68ff1c31b38ba903d4cfad3459
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:Understanding players’ diverse visual recognition and preferences, especially in cross-cultural contexts, is critical for the creation of effective serious games. This study aimed to examine how varying levels of fidelity affect players' visual recognition, preference, and overall experience in serious gaming, using a mixed-method case study in the Bhaktapur district, Kathmandu, Nepal. Forty-four participants, aged 13 to 16 years, were enrolled in an A/B gameplay test. Fourteen students participated in in-depth interviews, thirty-six completed a questionnaire, and twenty-two provided valid telemetry data. We found that higher fidelity led to more positive affect, higher familiarity, better recognition, stronger preference, and positive emotional response from players. However, challenges were encountered regarding the identification of local food items. This highlights the key role of visual literacy, as adolescents are more influenced by familiar media than by real-life experiences. Effective visual communication in serious games should consider individual differences and the playing environment.
ISSN:23848766
DOI:10.17083/229hsa32