player — Blog — University XP

What is Player Agency?

This article provides a definition of player agency in games. Player agency includes making sure that players are provided with meaningful decisions during their play. This article reviews the concepts and scope of players’ meaningful decisions as well as the requisite components that make up player agency. Player agency is reviewed from multiple perspectives. Those perspectives include from within the magic circle; from within the game design; and lastly from the designer.

player agency, meaningful decisions, player experienceDave EngAugust 20, 2020player, agency, meaningful decisions, magic circle, narratives, game designComment

What is player behavior?

This article will address why understanding player behavior is important. Player behavior will be defined as well as what characteristics make up player behaviors. Influences that affect player behavior are reviewed in depth as well as different players’ responses to different influences in the game environment. Finally, outcomes of player behaviors are discussed as well as how to design to capitalize on them.

player behaviorDave EngJune 18, 2020player, behavior, game designComment