Multimedia Appendix 1

Mobile Game Design Guide

for the Middle-Aged and Older Adult Population
●PE: Positive Experience
●NE: Negative Experience
●DG: Design Guide

1. Cognitive and physical elements

Audiovisuals Interface
●PE1 Stress relieved with special effect ●PE5 Easy to find button
(eg, objects cleared at once) ●PE6 Adequate information on one screen
●PE2 Adequate size of text and objects ●PE7 Visually well-expressed buttons for functions
●PE3 Satisfied with design ●NE5 Need multiple button controls for moving and
(eg, bright atmosphere, various colors, detail) interacting
●PE4 Satisfied with sound ●NE6 Not enough tutorial for button functions
(eg, harmony with visuals, comfortable) ●NE7 Excessive information on one screen
●NE1 Difficult to recognize important objects ●NE8 Unable to read a story
(eg, confused with similar colors) (eg, story presented during actions)
●NE2 Too small size of texts and objects ●NE9 Tough to find button position
●NE3 Dissatisfied with design (eg, located in the corners)
(eg, too simple, cliché, not familiar) ●NE10 Unable to find locations of self/opponent
●NE4 Dissatisfied with sound characters
(eg, too loud, constant repeat) ●NE11 If touches are available over whole screen
●DG1 Design important object/ character as – Not sure where to touch
distinguishable from others ●NE12 Difficult to realize one’s turn in a turn-based game
●DG2 Provide voice dubbing when presenting stories or ●NE13 Repeated touch slides with fingers rubbing
speech bubble ●NE14 Sliding in the wrong direction or at the wrong time
●DG3 Provide options to choose the size of the font and ●NE15 Pressing buttons too hard during action games
objects when tensed up
●DG4 Avoid sounds that are too sharp or repetitive ●NE16 Difficulty with connecting objects by sliding
interaction
●NE17 Difficulty with using direction aiming lines
Motor skills (eg, attempts to slide along a line)
●PE8 Felt thrill, excitement after success of agility/ ●NE18 Attempting taps when sliding is required
timing challenges ●NE19 Difficulty with double click (tap) interactions
●PE9 Adequate speed of screen switch or character ●NE20 Touch errors (eg, touch with wrist)
moving ●DG5 Present functions step-by-step rather than
●NE21 Too difficult levels of agility and timing presenting excessive information in one screen
●NE22 Too fast or slow speed of screen switching ●DG6 Visually express functions of buttons for illiterate
or motion of characters Players
●NE23 Physical fatigue when playing games for a long ●DG7 Avoid multiple button control at the same time
time unless they are essential to game play
●NE24 Non-preference for games that require agility ●DG8 Provide user manual that explains control and
●DG15 Provide practice session for beginners functions of buttons
●DG16 Provide hints for control timing when the player ●DG9 Place important buttons in easy to find and touch
fails repeatedly locations
●DG17 Increase the process speed and difficulty ●DG10 Provide a mini-map
incrementally ●DG11 Highlight touch area rather than suggesting to
●DG18 Provide speed adjustment function touch anywhere
●DG12 Provide a tutorial in case of repeated incorrect
touch interactions
●DG13 Automatically confirm the termination of sliding
actions after a specific time period
●DG14 Limit the area of operating touchpad on the screen
2. Psychological and socioemotional elements
Story and character
Game rules
●PE10 Clear goals, easy and simple rules ●PE19 Satisfied with stories
(eg, touching, curious, exciting)
●PE11 Interesting functions
(eg, combo, revival, hiding, collecting) ●PE20 Likable character
●PE12 Hints provided at the right time (eg, familiar look, attractive personality)
●PE13 Relaxed with no time limit ●PE21 Satisfied when the player is praised by game
characters
●PE14 Limit chances to play because it prevents game
addiction ●NE34 Unable to understand the meaning of the story
●PE15 Providing various modes and options (eg, lack of explanation, wrong translation)
●PE16 Auto-play mode ●NE35 Dissatisfied with the story
●PE17 Nostalgia for similar games in the past (eg, too simple, cliché, depressed, lack of empathy)
●NE36 Dislike characters
●PE18 Online version of traditional games
●NE25 Forgetting gaming methods (eg, childish, unlikable personality)
●NE26 Difficult to understand the use of resource/items ●NE37 Dislike the violent elements
(eg, wasting important resources) ●DG27 Provide familiar languages and concepts to the
player (eg, based on culture and age)
●NE27 Difficult rules with a lack of explanation
●DG28 Provide players with complimentary messages or
●NE28 Unstable level of difficulties (too hard or too easy)
motivational feedback
●NE29 Difficult to accept new type of games
(having a stereotype about games) ●DG29 Do not indicate life of older adults in static,
●NE30 Unsatisfied rules passive, negative, and depressed tones
●DG30 Provide options for players to choose stories and
●NE31 Became nervous and stressed because of the time
reflect diversity
limit
●NE32 Regret due to excessive gameplay
●NE33 Difficult to understand foreign languages related Social aspect
to game guidance
●PE31 More enjoyable when playing games together
●DG19 Provide a guidance, tutorial, and practice sessions
●PE32 Side-by-side help from supporters
●DG20 Provide options for selecting difficulty levels
●PE33 Mission accomplished with help or cooperation
●DG21 Provide hints when the player fails repeatedly or
from other players
is taking too much time
●PE34 Satisfied with no chatting function because no
●DG22 Provide game rules and tips during loading time
profanity/slang from other players
(repetitive tutorials)
●NE38 Difficult to understand how to invite friends
●DG23 Provide a notification message if players abuse
●NE39 Afraid of being a burden to other players
resources early in the game
●NE40 Wanting to play with children, but finding it
●DG24 Provide an appropriate challenge rather than an
difficult because of a generation gap in preference
extremely simple or easy rule
and game skills
●DG25 Eliminate time limits or provide alternatives for
●NE41 Afraid of bothering other people
level-passing
(eg, exposing excessive gaming action, not willing
●DG26 Provide time management options
to connect to SNS)
●DG32 Consider using multiplayer mode or co-playing
Affective aspect and perceived benefit context in single play mode
●PE22 Cognitive skill training ●DG33 Remove chat features in competitive games or
●PE23 Sense of achievement only allow consensual chat between players.
●PE24 Strategic thinking ●DG34 Restrict the use of abusive language
●PE25 Concentration
●PE26 Feelings of fun and flow
●PE27 Learning something new
●PE28 Killing time and relieving stress
●PE29 Connecting stories to real life experiences and
finding meaning
●PE30 Reminiscing
●DG31 Inform players of affective aspects and beneficial
effects of the game
(cognitive training, strategic thinking, learning,
connecting real life, reminiscing, etc.)
3. Consumption contextual elements
Advertising and payment
Devices
●PE35 Satisfied with screen size of the tablet PC, which is ●PE37 Items provided after watching ads
●PE38 Ads providing new information and giving a short
bigger than cellphone
●PE36 Satisfied with using assisting tools break
(eg, touch pen, controller etc.) ●NE51 Too many and too long ads
●NE42 Touch failure ●NE52 Difficult to turn off the ads (very small clickable
“close” button, countdown, etc.)
(eg, not enough moisture on the finger)
●NE43 Dissatisfied with small screen with cellphone ●NE53 Ads with inappropriate content (eg, adult content)
●NE44 Inconvenience with assisting tools ●NE54 Being forced to watch ads
●NE45 Device failed to recognize when entering foreign ●NE55 Inducing payments to pass at the difficult game
language level (Presenting phrases that induces payment
excessively)
●DG35 Able to play both in a tablet PC and mobile phone
●DG36 Provide supportive equipment ●NE56 Not comfortable with interactive ads because it
(eg, touch pen, joystick etc.) creates confusion between the ads and the game
●NE57 Difficult to understand complex cash payment
system
Installation and setting to start ●NE58 Afraid of being mischarged
●NE46 Long installation time/Heavy data usage ●DG40 Provide items and hints after viewing ads
●NE47 Difficulty with linking to SNS accounts ●DG41 Avoid excessive or long ads, which interrupt
●NE48 Difficulty using Appstore gaming
(eg, search and download) ●DG42 Make it easy to turn off the ads
●NE49 Not familiar with utilizing various applications ●DG43 Present suitable ads for ages and preference
●NE50 Difficulty with typing with the keyboard (avoid inappropriate content)
●DG37 Inform expected install time and file sizes ●DG44 Let the player choose the timing for
●DG38 Load account information automatically with advertisements
privacy precautions (avoid sudden ads that interrupt the game flow)
●DG39 Use easy and unique game titles, which do not ●DG45 Non-interactive ads are preferred over interactive
overlap with other games ads