Let's CoPlay!

Let’s CoPlay!

2016

A Developer's Guide to Family Cooperative Mobile Play

CGA.

Prepare for Ludicrous Cooperation!

Strive for maximum cooperation when possible, as this type of gameplay facilitates the most communication, team building, and physical engagement among players – and the most fun!

Children prefer games in which full cooperation is necessary to progress in the game, as opposed to games in which they simply play simultaneously.

Parents also prefer for children to play fully cooperative games, as they believe this type of gameplay helps children learn real-life skills such as how to effectively communicate and work together.

During fully cooperative gameplay, children communicate and laugh with each other much more and are more likely to show visible signs of enjoyment, such as smiling and leaning toward one another.

“It’s best when we work together to make it easier. It’s bonding, and it’s fun.”

– 11 y/o boy

“It’s more fun to play with other people’s playing styles. With single player games, there’s very specific rules you have to follow.”

– 13 y/o boy

“I don’t need to worry about if I’m going to lose or not.”

– 8 y/o girl

“It helps to build character.”

– Mom of 11 and 15 y/o boys

“Win” at Cooperation (by Competing) Be aware that, even within cooperative games, some players enjoy having competitive elements. Consider integrating ways those who do can find an inventive way to compete.

Despite being on the same team, or a complete lack of teams in a game, competitive players still find creative ways to try to “beat” other players.

Children who prefer competition look for ways to compete against siblings and/or parents even in the most cooperative of games.

Self-competition or competition against other groups (live or virtual) are other ways more competitive players can stay engaged in cooperative play.

“

I won! [while playing on same team] – 7 y/o girl

“

I like both, because even when we’re working together I would say I got more points or things like that.

– 13 y/o boy

“

“

You can do it together, but you can see who wins.

“

– 6 y/o boy

“

Even when they are working together, they are still competitive. Who can destroy more?

– Dad of 8 and 15 y/o girls

“

“

Physical… Meet Digital The most engaging family games incorporate some level of physical interaction into the digital play, and encourage face-time, interpersonal communication, and physical and emotional engagement among family members.

Families appreciate games that facilitate and encourage them to communicate with each other, strategize together, or even move around the room together.

Physical activity doesn’t always mean large movements, but can include smaller physical interactions.

Today’s families enjoy playing digital versions of traditional board games because they maintain the essence of what they consider family gameplay, plus the benefit of no setup or clean up.

“

Getting them up, moving around and working together? Yes. MOM OF 13 Y/O BOY AND 11 Y/O GIRL

“

“

Our family game used to be Monopoly…

Sorry, but now it’s Heads Up. We have a closet full of board games, but they just sit there.

MOM OF 13 AND 7 Y/O BOYS

“

“

We played Monopoly last night on the tablet.

It was spontaneous and we didn’t have to take the game out of the big box.

MOM OF 13 AND 7 Y/O BOYS

“

Right-Size the Device

For multiplayer games, consider strongly the context of device size, and intentionally design and offer games on platforms (tablets, especially) that maximize the user experience.

MULTI-DEVICE COOP

SAME-DEVICE GAMES

Most children like multi-device cooperative games more than same-device games (unless the game has been clearly designed to maximize the single device), mostly due to a desire for a comfortable amount of personal space.

For same-device games, children enjoy fully cooperative games more than those in which teamwork is not obligated.

Children tend to be more physically reactive while playing same-device games, such as leaning toward each other and pointing at the screen, so it is important to consider gameplay logistics within the context of device size.

“Sometimes we would be all mixed up, and I would be blocking her way.”

“I just don’t like playing on the same tablet.

It’s like taking that tablet and cutting it in half.”

“I usually prefer them having their own device, except for in that first game.

That was awesome, the way they collaborated! I loved it.”

“I like the separate devices just so they have more space.

They aren’t right on top of each other and you’re not hearing things like ‘You stepped on my finger!’ or ‘You hit me!’ ”

14 Y/O BOY

7 Y/O BOY

MOM OF 13 Y/O BOY AND 11 Y/O GIRL

MOM OF 8 Y/O AND 6 Y/O BOYS

Mind the Age Gap SIBLINGS Many children frequently play games with their siblings.

OLDER KIDS When possible, develop age-specific difficulty settings to enhance sibling co-play experiences.

It is important to keep in mind that older siblings show a strong urge to dominate gameplay on same-device games.

AGE SETTINGS When possible, it may be advisable to offer age-specific settings to make gameplay more comparable for siblings with a large age gap.

“I would want to play it if I had a good partner— if I had my mom or my dad as a partner.”

“I think that it would be better if he did it with someone his age.”

“I think [older children] would work together better with someone his age.”

13 Y/O BOY

MOM OF 13 Y/O BOY AND 11 Y/O GIRL

MOM OF 13 Y/O BOY AND 7 Y/O BOYS

Value Parent Values “Any game that helps them to rely on each other or help each other out is good to me.”

“If it’s something I’m paying for, then I would want levels or something endless.”

“Unless it’s a violent game like adult ones, I don’t mind what he plays.”

MOM OF 15 Y/O AND 11 Y/O BOYS

MOM OF 9 Y/O AND 7 Y/O GIRLS

MOM OF 12 Y/O BOY AND 8 Y/O GIRL

“I like the working together aspect.

At some point in this world they might have to work together to save their lives, so they should learn that at some point.”

MOM OF 13 Y/O BOY AND 11 Y/O GIRL

COOP highlight the value of cooperative co-play in strategic messaging.

CHALLENGE

GAMEPLAY attempt to develop a unique type of gameplay or an engaging perspective on gameplay.

Parents strongly prefer (and are more likely to) download/purchase games that:

GRAPHICS avoid graphic, realistic violence

offer a range of diverse activities or increasingly challenging levels to maintain children’s interest and increase parents’ perceived value.

Keep the Kids First Parents’ core driver for purchase and play is their kids’ enjoyment (even if they like the co-play themselves).

Focus on the child having fun and the “value” of family time in your messaging.

Both parents and children report that children are the initial consumers when it comes to searching for new games, although parents typically make the final purchasing decision.

Parents report “My children ask to download it” as the number one, most important influence on their download/purchase decisions.

For some kids (and parents) the fun can be ruined if they get frustrated by not understanding the gameplay. Consider play-through tutorials to ease them into the mechanics and goals.

Context In June 2016, PlayScience conducted an exploratory investigation into the dynamics, logistics, and enjoyment of family cooperative mobile game co-play.

The purpose of this research was to begin to understand which features of a multiplayer game elicit enjoyment from players, how different types of cooperative gameplay are experienced and processed by players, and what types of logistical or mechanical issues are encountered in the course of co-play.

Our research examined both device-speciďŹ c and content-related gameplay outcomes, including single, shared device vs. multi-device play, and the continuum of cooperation, ranging from simply simultaneous gameplay without competition all the way to teamwork that is essential for progression in the game.

The insights and recommendations included in this guide pertain to the aforementioned speciďŹ cations. This guide documents exploratory research that attempts to lay a foundation for best practices in the realm of mobile gameplay and should be regarded as such.

Methodology Parents and at least two of their children between the ages of 6 and 15 visited our PlayLab to play a variety of cooperative multiplayer games and provide feedback pertaining to their in-lab experience and current gaming habits and preferences.

Following each session, parents completed a brief survey inquiring further into their gaming experience and habits, as well as pricing expectations and purchase interest in multiplayer, cooperative mobile games.

Six multiplayer, cooperative games were selected for use in this study, three of which were multi-device and three of which were same-device games. In each session, siblings first played all six games together, followed by parent-child co-play of one or two of the games. In half of the sessions, multi-device games were played first, and in the other half, same-device games were played first.

Additionally, the order of the individual games in each session was randomized to control for any potential game-specific effects.

A total of 20 families took part in this study, for a total of 39 children and 20 parents.

Sample AGE

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

TOTAL

GIRLS

0

2

4

3

3

2

1

2

0

1

18

BOYS

2

2

3

1

0

4

2

2

3

2

21

TOTAL

2

4

7

4

3

6

3

4

3

3

39

NEXT KIDS & FAMILY TRACK CASUAL CONNECT TEL AVIV 2016 1 - 3 NOVEMBER 2016

SAN FRANCISCO

SINGAPORE

MAY 2017

JULY 2017

TEL AVIV

BERLIN

1 - 3 NOV 2016

7 - 9 FEB 2017

ABOUT THE CASUAL GAMES ASSOCIATION

When it comes to the health of your business, the more things that work together, the better. Which is why the Casual Games Association is a critical portion of the success of your company and the industry as a whole. It means that you and your team have access to cutting-edge educational resources and are connected to thousands of other game industry professionals, members of the press and service providers around the globe. Learn more at http://www.cga.global ABOUT PLAYSCIENCE

PlayScience is an innovation and development company that partners with brands to create and launch new consumer experiences in play, learning and entertainment. The group catalyzes and creates new ways of playing and learning that enrich the lives of consumers and their communities, while making a positive impact wherever they go. www.playsciencelab.com @playscience

CGA.