High Scores or Player Stories?

 

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High Scores or Player Stories? Picking the Right Approach for Video Game Research 

By: Santiago Cardenas 

 

Research in the game industry can go in a variety of ways. Every study path, from examining user experiences to calculating in-game behavior statistics, can provide new information about the game and its players. Knowing what kind of question, you want to ask is essential to selecting the best strategy. Are you looking for trends in the game statistics? Or do you have a greater interest in the viewpoints and experiences of players? This article will discuss how to determine if qualitative or quantitative research questions in video game studies are more appropriate. 

 

Understanding Qualitative Research in Gaming 

Qualitative research dives deep into understanding “why” and “how” players experience games. It focuses on gathering detailed, descriptive data, often through interviews, focus groups, or surveys. This approach is ideal when studying the personal, social, emotional, and psychological aspects of gaming. 

Examples of Qualitative research questions 

1.Why do players connect emotionally with certain games? 

2. How do multiplayer games like First Person Shooter (FPS) impact social relationships among players?
3. What motivates players to spend real money on free-to-play games?

In these cases, qualitative methods help researchers gain a deeper understanding of player behavior and motivations that would not be possible through numerical data alone. 

 

Quantitative Research in Gaming: By the Numbers 

Quantitative research, on the other hand, is all about measuring and analyzing numerical data. This approach is best suited for questions that require statistical analysis or comparison, such as gameplay metrics, user demographics, or behavioral patterns. Surveys with scaled responses and data analytics from gameplay statistics are common quantitative methods. 

 

Examples of Quantitative research questions 

1. How many hours per week do players typically spend on a particular game?
2. What percentage of players complete a game compared to those who abandon it midway?
3. Is there a correlation between a game’s difficulty level and player retention?

Quantitative research is ideal for identifying patterns across a large scale of players, giving researchers a broad view of behaviors and trends that can guide game developers or select a new marketing strategy. 

Deciding Which Approach Fits Your Research 

Choosing between qualitative and quantitative research often depends on your end goal. You can use qualitative when you want rich and descriptive insights into player experiences. When you are exploring new or personal areas, like emotional impact or player motivation. Your goal is to understand the players' behavior and perspective. You can use quantitative research when you need concrete data that can be generalized across a large player base. When you are studying measurable patterns, like in-game habits or demographics. Or when your research requires statistical analysis to draw a conclusion on what to do next. 

Conclusion 

Whether you are examining high scores or diving into player stories, choosing the research question is important for meaningful insights in video game studies. Qualitative research reveals the heart of player experiences, while quantitative research offers broad, data driven insights. By picking the right approach or blending them both you will be better equipped to understand the complex world of gaming.