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Leveraging Icebreaking Tasks to Facilitate Uptake of Voice Communication in Multiplayer Games

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Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology (ACE 2017)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 10714))

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Abstract

Voice Communication (VC) is widely employed by developers as an essential component of online games. Typically, it is assumed that communications through this mechanism will be helpful and enjoyable, but existing literature suggests that the entry into VC can be problematic. In this paper, we present a study that attempts to mitigate player discomfort when first engaging with VC with strangers, through the use of traditional icebreaking tasks. We integrate these into the game RET, an online cooperative first person shooter which requires effective communication for players to succeed. An online user study with 18 participants suggests that icebreaking tasks can contribute to a positive VC experience, but their inclusion also creates further issues to be considered for successful integration.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK

    Kieran Hicks, Patrick Dickinson & Carl Gowen

  2. KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Kathrin Gerling

  3. University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Conor Linehan

Authors
  1. Kieran Hicks
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  2. Kathrin Gerling
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  3. Patrick Dickinson
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  4. Conor Linehan
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  5. Carl Gowen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kieran Hicks .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. City, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Adrian David Cheok

  2. University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Masahiko Inami

  3. NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Teresa Romão

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Hicks, K., Gerling, K., Dickinson, P., Linehan, C., Gowen, C. (2018). Leveraging Icebreaking Tasks to Facilitate Uptake of Voice Communication in Multiplayer Games. In: Cheok, A., Inami, M., Romão, T. (eds) Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology. ACE 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10714. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76270-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76270-8_14

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