Goal-Directed Play vs. Exploration : Player Behavior in 3D Game Environments

Sammanfattning

This study investigated how players demonstrate different types of motivation goal-directed versus exploratory while interacting with a 3D game environment. For the study, a game was developed using Unreal Engine 5.5 and designed as a spatial navigation task, where players were instructed to collect three assigned task objects. Alongside the main objective, the level included non-task areas with hidden objects to observe different motivational tendencies. The game provided players with both clear goals and the freedom to explore, offering a win condition (completion of the main task) and optional challenges (finding extra hidden objects). Nine participants took part in playtesting sessions, where their actions, such as movement, decision-making processes, and interaction with game elements, were tracked through in-game logging and supported by post-play UI summaries. These UI summaries showed each player's map usage, total time played, number of task objects found, and hidden objects collected. Quantitative data were drawn from the game’s logs (UI summaries), while qualitative insights were gathered from observations and post-session semi-structured interviews. The study’s findings align with the original hypotheses. Specifically: (1) Most players completed the main task successfully, and often did so with high time efficiency; (2) Players who were goal-directed relied more heavily on the map; (3) Players motivated by exploration tended to visit non-task areas and discovered hidden objects but generally showed lower time efficiency. These behavioral patterns revealed three general motivation tendencies: (1) goal-directed motivation, where players focused on completing objectives efficiently by time (finishing it as fast as possible); (2) exploratory motivation, characterized by extended navigation through optional areas (using as much space around as possible to explore, which provides collected object efficiency - main task objects and hidden objects collected); and (3) balanced motivation, combining moderate exploration with timely task completion. The findings indicate that differences in motivation affect how players approach spatial tasks within a 3D game environment. Considering these motivational types may help future level and game designers structure (build/design) environments that reflect a variety of player behaviors and preferences.