A comprehensive player types model: player head

ABSTRACT

Almost in every aspect of life, classification and categorization make it easier for humans to analyze complex structures and systems. In games, the classification of the players based on their demographics, behaviors, expectations and preferences of the game is important to increase players’ motivation and satisfaction. Likewise, knowing the students’ game and learning preferences may help design effective educational games. The player Head Model is introduced in this article to determine the similarities and differences of the game players by synthesizing various models from gaming and learning. It classifies players into seven types as entertainer, strategic, leader, tester, artistic, researcher, and socializer. This study is a systematic literature review were based on the existing literature, observations, and assumptions of various studies. Therefore, future experimental research studies on this model can be done to generalize the presented model.

KEYWORDS:

• Player types
• game design
• player characteristics
• students
• educational game

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zeynep Cömert

Dr. Yavuz Samur, graduated from Instructional Design and Technology, Department of Learning Sciences and Technologies at Virginia Tech with the Fulbright Scholarship, works as an Assistant Professor at Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Educational Sciences in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT) (@bauceit), he is also head of the CEIT department. He is the coordinator of the Educational Technology (TR/EN, Thesis/Project) master’s program (@bauegitek) and doctoral program. His research interests are on using educational games for learning and instruction (@oyuntasarimi), gamification in education, educational game design, digital game design, game addiction, and (digital) game-based learning.

He also designs digital educational games for learners and he is the co-owner of a company producing digital educational games titled gur Games (www.ugurgames.com). He teaches courses such as “Educational Technology”, “Instructional Design” (@OgretimTasarimi), “Multimedia Design and Production in Education”, “(Digital) Game-based Learning”, “Gamification in Education”, “Child and Media” (@childandmedia), “Information and Communication Technologies in Education” at undergraduate, master and doctoral level. Samur also leads in government and company funded educational game projects, educational digital content and software/game design and development projects. He loves to give lectures, seminars, and workshops to students, teachers, and parents in aforementioned topics.

www.yavuzsamur.com www.twitter.com/yavuzsamur

http://lisansustutecrubem.com/yrd-doc-dr-yavuz-samur-virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university-abd/

Yavuz Samur

Zeynep Cömert graduated from Marmara University Mathematics Teacher Department in 2016 and in 2018 she completed her Master’s Degree Program in Education Technologies at Bahçeşehir University, Institute of Educational Sciences. Zeynep Cömert, who is the author of a book and book section for game design for children, families, teachers, and pre-service teachers, is Ph.D. students in Educational Technology Department at Bahçeşehir University. She continues to study on educational games, gamification, educational game design, and player types.