Title page for ETD etd-032106-133700

Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Piselli, Paolo M
URN	etd-032106-133700
Title	Relating Cognitive Models of Computer Games to User Evaluations of Entertainment
Degree	MS
Department	Computer Science
Advisors	Prof. Gary Pollice, Reader Dr. Mark Claypool, Advisor Dr. James Doyle, Advisor Dr. Michael Gennert, Department Head
Keywords	interactive entertainment computer games human-computer interaction cognitive models enjoyment
Date of Presentation/Defense	2006-01-31
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract As the interactive entertainment industry matures, we need a better understanding of what makes software entertaining. A natural starting point is the application of traditional Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) tools to interactive entertainment software. Cognitive models are tools that HCI researchers have used to model users’ thought processes and evaluate interface design. With this research we investigate the relationship between the complexity of an interaction and the entertainment experienced by the user. We designed a simple computer game, created a normative model for how a user plays this game, built several variations of this game such that normative models of these variants differed across two factors: pace and complexity. User studies were conducted on these variations, and we compared these factors to user performance and self-reported user enjoyment.
Files	ppiselli-thesis.pdf

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