Abstract
Non-verbal forms of interactions as found in play and gaming has not been investigated as a method that can actually communicate or express an emotional state. In this paper we are using the design of a computer game (called the Child Patient Game) designed especially for hospitalized children as Design Case. We are demonstrating how children’s interaction with a computer game is used as a method for letting children express their emotions towards a hospital examination. In order to make sense of the different elements that constitute a Playful Experience this paper makes use of the Playful Experience Framework. This framework is an attempt to understand the emotions and experiences elicited by play; in this case the playful experience elicited by patients and non-patients playing the Child Patient game.
Keywords
emotion driven design, game design, playful experiences, design research, research through design, research method, design for health, interaction design
Citation
Knutz, E. (2012) Fighting Fear of Blood Test with Secret Powers: Using game design as a new method of inquiry in design research, in Israsena, P., Tangsantikul, J. and Durling, D. (eds.), Research: Uncertainty Contradiction Value - DRS International Conference 2012, 1-4 July, Bangkok, Thailand. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2012/researchpapers/65
Fighting Fear of Blood Test with Secret Powers: Using game design as a new method of inquiry in design research
Non-verbal forms of interactions as found in play and gaming has not been investigated as a method that can actually communicate or express an emotional state. In this paper we are using the design of a computer game (called the Child Patient Game) designed especially for hospitalized children as Design Case. We are demonstrating how children’s interaction with a computer game is used as a method for letting children express their emotions towards a hospital examination. In order to make sense of the different elements that constitute a Playful Experience this paper makes use of the Playful Experience Framework. This framework is an attempt to understand the emotions and experiences elicited by play; in this case the playful experience elicited by patients and non-patients playing the Child Patient game.