Designing game for helping people learning Taiwanese culture

Abstract

Taiwanese culture holds immense value, with its rich heritage and history being recognized worldwide. While efforts have been made to preserve tangible cultural heritage, intangible aspects such as knowledge and beliefs have often been overlooked. To address this gap and contribute to the preservation of Taiwanese cultural heritage, technology has been harnessed, with games emerging as a popular medium.This study explores the advantages of using games to promote understanding and appreciation of Taiwanese culture. Through a literature review and examination of existing serious games related to Taiwanese culture, a research game was developed. Expert interviews were then conducted with professionals from the game industry and cultural creativity sector, providing diverse perspectives and invaluable insights.The feedback obtained from these expert interviews demonstrates a positive reception towards the concept of using games as a tool for cultural education. Furthermore, the suggestions and recommendations provided by the experts have significantly contributed to the enhancement and refinement of the prototype game. As a result, valuable guidelines have been derived, serving as a roadmap for future designers interested in creating serious games centered around Taiwanese culture.

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Designing game for helping people learning
Taiwanese culture
K. C. J. Miao1,*, N. Liu2 and S. Karmokar3
11st Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
22nd Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
33rd Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Abstract
Taiwanese culture holds immense value, with its rich heritage and history being recognized worldwide. While efforts have
been made to preserve tangible cultural heritage, intangible aspects such as knowledge and beliefs have often been
overlooked. To address this gap and contribute to the preservation of Taiwanese cultural heritage, technology has been
harnessed, with games emerging as a popular medium.
This study explores the advantages of using games to promote understanding and appreciation of Taiwanese culture.
Through a literature review and examination of existing serious games related to Taiwanese culture, a research game was
developed. Expert interviews were then conducted with professionals from the game industry and cultural creativity sector,
providing diverse perspectives and invaluable insights.
The feedback obtained from these expert interviews demonstrates a positive reception towards the concept of using games
as a tool for cultural education. Furthermore, the suggestions and recommendations provided by the experts have
significantly contributed to the enhancement and refinement of the prototype game. As a result, valuable guidelines have
been derived, serving as a roadmap for future designers interested in creating serious games centered around Taiwanese
culture.
Keywords: Cultural heritage, serious game, cultural game, Taiwanese culture
Received on 23 July 2023, accepted on 03 September 2023, published on 04 September 2023
Copyright © 2023 K. C. J. Miao et al., licensed to EAI. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC-
SA 4.0, which permits copying, redistributing, remixing, transformation, and building upon the material in any medium so long as
the original work is properly cited.
doi: 10.4108/eetct.v10i.3610
*Corresponding author. Email: rxh9529@autuni.ac.nz
1. Introduction
Taiwan is internationally recognized for its diverse and
culturally rich heritage, influenced by the successive
administrations that have governed the region. Notable
cultural heritage include European-style fortresses
constructed by the Spanish and Dutch during the 16th
century, as well as Chinese temples dating back to the Ming
and Qing Dynasties. Japanese temples from the period of
Japanese colonization also contribute to the cultural
landscape of Taiwan [1]. These cherished cultural treasures
hold considerable historical and touristic value.
Despite the Taiwanese government's commendable
efforts to preserve cultural heritage, its focus often remains
predominantly on tangible aspects, such as architectural
structures and artifacts. However, the safeguarding of
intangible cultural heritage presents greater challenges, as it
resides within the realm of knowledge and beliefs held by
individuals [2]. Consequently, numerous valuable intangible
cultural heritages face the looming threat of extinction. An
especially glaring example is the erosion of languages in
Taiwan, particularly among Aboriginal communities. The
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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) employs the Language Vitality
Assessment tool to evaluate the intergenerational
transmission of languages [3]. A government study
conducted in 2017 employing this tool revealed that the
majority of Aboriginal languages in Taiwan have been
classified as either extinct or critically endangered [4].
Additionally, various traditional craftsmanship skills
confront decline as they are gradually supplanted by easier
and more cost-effective alternatives. For instance, the
traditional art of crafting paper umbrellas is dwindling as
contemporary synthetic umbrellas, which offer affordability
and durability, gain popularity [5]. This shift has resulted in
a decline of the traditional paper umbrella industry, with
fewer individuals showing interest in acquiring the
specialized skills required. Similar scenarios unfold within
numerous other Taiwanese traditional crafts. The gradual
disappearance of these cultural practices underscores the
urgency of preservation endeavours.
In conjunction with conventional educational approaches,
such as books and lectures, innovative methods of cultural
education have emerged, leveraging technological
advancements. Websites, online databases, and platforms
play instrumental roles in disseminating extensive
information about Taiwanese culture. Museums employ
immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual
reality to create captivating experiences for tourists,
augmenting their understanding and appreciation of
Taiwanese culture during their visits. Among the array of
technological applications, games possess the potential to
exert a profound influence on individuals. Engaging and
entertaining games often attain widespread popularity and
attract substantial media attention in Taiwan [6]. However,
it remains uncertain whether players engage with games
solely for entertainment purposes or if they genuinely grasp
the embedded cultural significance. This research aims to
delve into this subject matter and address the research
question: "What are the educational benefits of utilizing
games for teaching Taiwanese culture?"
To address this question, the research will conduct an
extensive review of existing literature pertaining to cultural
games and Taiwanese culture. It will also examine existing
games with cultural themes, encompassing both commercial
and serious games. By identifying the benefits of using
games for Taiwanese cultural learning, the research will
develop a research game based on insights derived from the
literature review and existing games. Subsequently, expert
interviews will be conducted, featuring professionals from
the game and cultural creativity industries. The invaluable
feedback gathered will not only assist in refining the
research game but also contribute to a comprehensive
understanding of the advantages associated with learning
Taiwanese culture through games. The significance of this
research lies in its identification of the benefits derived from
employing games in cultural education, as well as its
provision of guidance and recommendations for future
designers interested in creating similar types of games.
2. Related Works
When examining the process of designing an educational
game with a focus on cultural learning, three key aspects
warrant discussion. Firstly, it is imperative to explore the
fundamental elements that are crucial to an educational
game. By comprehending the significant factors that render
an educational game appealing to players, we can ascertain
its effectiveness in achieving its educational objectives.
Secondly, an examination of games featuring cultural
themes is necessary, encompassing not only educational
games but also commercial games designed for
entertainment purposes. Such games often encapsulate
cultural values within their thematic content. Lastly, we will
delve into the essential components required to create a
Taiwanese cultural game. The insights gained from these
discussions will facilitate the development of a research
game.
2.1. Educational Game
Scholars have put forth various perspectives on the
constituent elements of games, including goals,
mechanisms, interaction, theme, narrative, and art design
[7][8]. However, when focusing on educational games,
factors that enhance the player's learning experience, such as
feedback, goals, and interaction, take precedence [9].
Feedback plays a crucial role in educational games as it
directly influences the player's sense of accomplishment. It
encompasses the information or response received when a
player successfully achieves a goal within the game [10]. In
role-playing games (RPGs), for instance, players level up
after completing quests or obtain rewards from treasure
chests. In racing games, the feedback is achieving a new
record time, while in fighting games, it is the defeat of
opponents, akin to a sporting victory. Effective feedback is
vital for sustaining player engagement and fostering a long-
term educational experience [10].
Traditionally, the goal of games involves solving
problems or overcoming obstacles. However, in educational
games, the primary objective is to facilitate players’ learning
process. Hence, it is crucial to align the educational
objectives with the in-game goals to enable effective
learning and practice [11]. Puzzle games have gained
popularity in the educational genre due to their ability to
convert educational problems into game objectives.
Interactivity stands as a critical element in educational
games, encompassing how players engage and interact with
the game [12]. Interaction serves as a medium for player
immersion and engagement, making it essential to integrate
learning content through interactive elements [13].
"FakeMuse" provides an illustrative example—a game
where players act as art appraisers and scrutinize artwork to
identify forgeries—showcasing learning through gameplay
and interactive experiences [14].
Finding the balance between educational content and
entertainment in games presents a challenge. However,
establishing a connection between the core elements of a
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game and the intended educational content is crucial. In the
context of this research, the challenge lies in developing
methods that enable players to simultaneously learn about
cultural heritage and derive enjoyment from the game's
entertainment aspects.
2.2. Cultural Game
The utilization of games for cultural learning is a common
practice in both commercial and educational contexts [8].
Commercial games, primarily created for entertainment
purposes, encompass a wide range of themes, including
fantasy, science fiction, historical, and mythological.
However, games that are based on historical events or
periods often incorporate a strong cultural theme [15]. For
instance, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings [16] is a
strategic game that features various historical conflicts, such
as the Mongolian invasion and the Crusades. Through
gameplay, players can gain insights into different cultural
aspects of medieval Europe, including agriculture,
architecture and handcrafting.
Contemporary games also exist that aim to showcase the
culture of the modern era. Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum
Master! [17], the latest installment in the Taiko no Tatsujin
series, is a rhythm game where players use the Taiko, a
traditional Japanese drum, as the primary instrument. The
game features predominantly Japanese music tracks,
including pop songs, anime themes, and folk music, while
its visual elements are connected to Japanese festivals,
further reinforcing cultural associations [18]. These
examples of games offer players a distinct cultural learning
experience as they engage in gameplay.
Figure 1. Screenshot of Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum
Master! with Japan visual elements
© Bandai Namco Entertainment
Numerous successful instances of educational games
designed to facilitate learning can be identified. For instance,
Relive is a serious game developed to teach children and
adolescents cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques
and skills [19]. Make A Cup of Tea is a game intended to
support caregivers of individuals with dementia by
providing messages and recommendations to help them
understand the condition and cultivate empathy [20].
Additionally, FakeMuse is a game focused on the forgery of
artifacts, where players assume the role of a museum curator
and must examine various artifacts to determine their
authenticity [14].
Figure 2. A screenshot of dementia supporting game:
Make a cup of tea [20]
While the primary objective of commercial games is
entertainment, the thematic elements they incorporate offer
players an opportunity to gain insights into past and present
cultures, often resulting in a cultural learning experience
without their explicit awareness. Moreover, there is an
abundance educational games designed specifically for
cultural learning, offering the added benefits of heightened
engagement, and interactive experiences. As a result,
educational games have emerged as a prevalent approach for
delivering cultural learning experiences.
2.3. Game for Taiwanese Culture
To promote the appreciation of Taiwanese culture, it is
crucial to integrate it with contemporary trends and
disseminate it in a highly appealing manner. Therefore, this
research aims to develop a game that takes the form of a
social media platform, resembling the most popular social
media applications in Taiwan, namely Instagram.
The popularity of social media in Taiwan has witnessed a
steady rise since the introduction of the Chinese version of
Facebook in 2008. Currently, social media platforms have
become an integral part of daily life for Taiwanese
individuals. Politicians utilize these platforms to connect
with their constituents, promote their ideas, and even launch
attacks on their opponents. Influencers leverage these
platforms to share their experiences with various products,
visit tourist attractions, and indulge in unique culinary
experiences. Furthermore, ordinary citizens frequently use
social media to share personal stories and engage with their
online social circles. Consequently, many people in Taiwan
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spend a significant amount of time scrolling through social
media platform on a daily basis [21].
There are several potential advantages to developing a
game that emulates a social media platform. Firstly, players
will already be familiar with the layout, even if they have
never played a game before. As social media platforms have
become an integral part of Taiwanese daily life, individuals
of all ages, ranging from young children to the elderly, have
experience using such platforms. Secondly, integrating the
game within existing social networks would facilitate easy
sharing and dissemination, potentially leading to viral
spread. Thirdly, social media posts typically include an
image, a description, and a location, making them a suitable
medium for delivering cultural content that is connected to
our everyday lives. By consistently featuring cultural
elements, such as local cuisine or tourist attractions, players
may be encouraged to explore these aspects of traditional
culture in real life.
3. Designing the Game
3.1 Develop the Core Concept
The initial phase of game design involves the establishment
of a core concept that serves as the basis for guiding and
inspiring the researcher in shaping various elements of the
game, including gameplay, content, platform, and
mechanics. This conceptualization process revolves around
three essential questions that pertain to the key game factors
discussed in the previous chapter: goal, interaction, and
feedback [9].
To arrive at a game concept, the researcher addresses the
three questions that pertain to the key game factors as
illustrated in Figure 3. The questions are as follows:
(i) How should the cultural content be delivered and in
what form?
(ii) How to provide feedback that make the player keep
interested?
(iii) How could it approach a wider audience even those
who have never played games before?
Figure 3. Developing game concept of the research game
By addressing these questions, the research game takes
the form of a social media platform due to its widespread
popularity among Taiwanese individuals [21]. The cultural
content is presented as posts within the social media
platform, allowing for a diverse range of cultural content to
be shared. For instance, the posts could highlight traditional
foods found in night markets with a history spanning over a
century, religious activities that attract millions of pilgrims
annually, or traditional activities such as tea leaf picking.
These cultural activities are often intertwined with people's
daily lives and leisure time [22]. As individuals browse the
social media posts containing information about Taiwanese
cultural heritage, they may reminisce about personal
experiences or engage with specific trends [23]. For
example, if someone comes across a post recommending a
highly regarded restaurant, they may feel inclined to try it
themselves. This integration of cultural content directly
related to daily life enhances players' interest and
engagement with the game.
3.2 Develop the Game Elements
Following the establishment of the core concept, various
elements of the game, including the user interface layout,
workflow, game content, and mechanics, need to be
determined. The primary objective is to develop a cultural
heritage game that closely resembles a familiar social media
platform, specifically drawing inspiration from Instagram,
the most popular photo-oriented platform in Taiwan. By
incorporating a familiar layout and user experience, the
game aims to provide a seamless transition for players.
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Figure 4. User interface layout of the research game
In the game, cultural content is presented in the form of
social media posts that simulate everyday life scenarios.
Each post consists of three essential elements: a picture, a
description of the cultural heritage, and its location.
However, the description adopts a conversational tone rather
than a formal or lecturing style, replicating the manner in
which an ordinary person would share on social media. The
inclusion of location information establishes a connection
between the virtual game and real-life situations, as players
have the opportunity to visit the locations that pique their
interest. To encourage interactive and engaging experiences
that require active player participation, a keyword is
deliberately missing from either the description or location,
prompting players to choose the correct answer from four
options provided (as depicted in Figure 5). This approach
enhances memorization of cultural information through
interaction.
Figure 5. Examples of posts missing
key word or location
In the subsequent stage, after players select an answer,
the game presents additional comprehensive information
about the cultural heritage depicted in the post (as shown in
Figure 6). This allows players to deepen their understanding
of the subject matter and verify the accuracy of their chosen
answer. Once the quiz is completed, players can progress to
the next quiz, which is also displayed in a format
reminiscent of a social media post. The overall game
experience simulates the act of browsing through a social
media platform.
Figure 6. Examples of the answer and detailed
information about cultural heritage
The workflow of the research game begins with an
introduction that outlines the game's objective, which is to
learn about Taiwanese culture through a series of quizzes
presented as social media posts. The first quiz immediately
follows the introduction. After selecting an answer, an
answer page appears, providing the correct answer while
offering detailed information about the cultural heritage
associated with the quiz. Players then proceed to the next
quiz, emulating the experience of scrolling through content
on a social media platform.
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Figure 7. Workflow of the game
4. Results and Finding
4.1 Introduction
The experiment involved conducting expert interviews
with 21 participants who have a background in the game
or culture industry. Each participant was given seven
questions to answer. The interviews served two main
purposes: firstly, to collect feedback for enhancing the
research game, and secondly, to gain insights into the
factors that should be taken into account when developing
a game with the goal of educating people about cultural
content.
4.2 Sentiment Analysis
For data analysis, the researcher employed NVivo
software. The responses from the experts were subjected
to sentiment analysis using a tool that categorized them
into four groups: "Very positive," "Moderately positive,"
"Moderately negative," and "Very negative". Sentences
that didn't fit into any of these categories were considered
neutral and were excluded from the analysis. The findings
indicated that the majority of the experts expressed
positive feedback regarding the evaluated game.
Throughout all the questions, both very positive and
moderately positive feedback were more prevalent than
negative feedback as depicted in Table 3. However, the
question concerning enhancing player feedback during
gameplay received a higher number of negative responses
due to limited interaction and feedback of the current state
of research game. Nonetheless, these responses were
considered valuable for the development of the final
game. Additionally, the final question, "Any other
suggestions for this game?" also elicited a higher rate of
negative responses. The experts provided valuable
feedback concerning game design and cultural content. In
the subsequent sections, the authors offer a detailed
analysis and discussion of the feedback received for each
question.
Table 3. The results of sentiment analysis using
NVivo
Very
negative
Moderately
negative
Moderately
positive
Very
positive
What are your
thoughts on the
concept of this
game?
(Inspired by a
social media
platform)
1
1
3
2
What game
elements do you
think could be
added to
increase player’s
interest?
0
1
8
2
How to improve
player’s
feedback while
playing the
game?
1
5
7
0
What cultural
aspect do you
think is missing
in this game?
0
1
1
3
Do you think
there is any
cultural content
in the game that
might offend
people?
1
0
2
1
What kind of
cultural content
could gain more
interest?
0
2
3
2
Any other
suggestions for
this game?
0
4
5
1
4.3 Thematic Analysis
This research conducts a thematic analysis of the data,
with a specific focus on the three questions related to
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game design, followed by the three questions pertaining to
cultural heritage. The responses will be carefully coded
based on their content, and codes that share similarities
will be grouped together to form broader themes. These
themes will offer valuable insights into the crucial
elements necessary for the research game, as well as aid
in the analysis of the final question.
4.3.1 Thematic Analysis on Feedback about
Game Design
In this section, author delves into the discussion of the
three questions pertaining to game design, namely:
(i) What are the user's thoughts on the concept of the
game?
(ii) What game elements do users think could be added
to increase their interest?
(iii) How to improve player's feedback while playing the
game?
The analysis of the experts' opinions on the concept of
the game yielded several themes, including "Attractive to
Non-Gamers," "Simple Gameplay," "Combining Social
Media," "Technical Issues," "Educational," "Potential,"
"Too Easy," "Interactive," and "User Interface." The
experts found the game to be appealing to non-gamers and
appreciated the incorporation of social media as a theme.
However, some experts felt that the game was too easy
and that its educational content might lead to quick loss of
interest. Technical bugs were also identified as an issue,
and some experts expressed concerns about the lack of
feedback in the user interface, which could potentially
make the game boring for users. The frequency of
appearance for each theme is illustrated in Figure 8.
Figure 8. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 1
The analysis of user suggestions regarding game
elements that could be added to enhance player interest
revealed several themes: "Visual Design," "Competition
Mode," "Question Classification," "Modern Pop Culture,"
"Different Game Modes," "Rewards," "Instagram
Integration," "Easter Eggs," "Story Elements," and
"Difficulty Level." The frequency of appearance for each
theme is depicted in Figure 9.
Users proposed incorporating visual design
improvements to enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
They also suggested introducing a competition mode
where players can compete against others, as well as
implementing different game modes that go beyond
quizzes. Users highlighted the importance of question
classification, enabling players to navigate to content that
aligns with their specific interests. Suggestions were also
made to include references to modern pop culture to
attract younger audiences.
Enhancing engagement was a key focus, with users
recommending the inclusion of story elements and
rewards to motivate players. Instagram integration and the
incorporation of Easter eggs were suggested to make the
game more interactive and immersive. Additionally, some
users expressed the desire for an increased difficulty level,
as they found the game to be too easy.
Figure 9. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 2
The analysis of expert suggestions for improving
player feedback during gameplay yielded several themes:
"Progress Indicator," "Feedback," "Difficulty Level," and
"Animation," as illustrated in Figure 10.
Experts recommended incorporating a progress
indicator to provide players with a sense of how far they
have progressed in the game. Some experts proposed
enhancing feedback by introducing more interactive
elements, such as a like button or enabling players to
leave comments. Additionally, suggestions were made to
utilize geotags to highlight tourist attractions within the
game, thereby enhancing player engagement and
feedback.
Increasing the difficulty level was also suggested as a
means of maintaining player interest and challenge.
Finally, many experts emphasized the importance of
implementing animation for various action within the
game, as it can enhance the overall player experience and
make the gameplay more engaging.
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Figure 10. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 3
Based on the thematic analysis of the first three
questions, several conclusions can be drawn. Experts
found the concept of the game to be appealing,
particularly to non-gamers, and appreciated the
incorporation of social media as the game's theme.
However, there were concerns regarding the game's
educational content being too easy. Additionally,
technical bugs were identified as potential issues that
could impact the overall gaming experience.
To address these concerns and make the game more
engaging, experts suggested various improvements. These
included incorporating different game modes, introducing
question categories, incorporating modern pop culture
references, offering rewards and Easter eggs,
incorporating story elements, and increasing the difficulty
level to enhance player interest. Furthermore, experts
recommended implementing features such as a progress
indicator, improving feedback mechanisms, allowing for
customizable difficulty levels, and incorporating
animations for different actions to enhance player
feedback during gameplay.
Overall, these suggestions aim to make the game more
enjoyable, interactive, and challenging, while also
providing meaningful feedback to players as they progress
through the game.
4.3.2 Thematic Analysis on Feedback about
Cultural Heritage
The analysis in this section focuses on investigating the
cultural aspect of the game, based on three specific
questions. The questions are as follows:
(iv) What cultural aspect do you think is missing in this
game?
(v) Do you think there is any cultural content in the
game that might offend people?
(vi) What kind of cultural content could gain more
interest?
The answers to the question "What cultural aspect do
you think is missing in this game?" yielded diverse
responses, encompassing a wide range of cultural aspects.
Several themes emerged from these answers, including
Music, Movies, Architecture, Religion, Food, Ecology,
Festivals and Customs, Literature, Art and Crafts,
Indigenous Culture and History, Languages and Dialects,
Fashion and Beauty, Social and Political Issues, and
Taiwanese History. Among these themes, the most
frequently mentioned were food (mentioned six times),
traditional festivals and customs (mentioned four times),
and Taiwanese art and crafts (mentioned three times). The
detailed results can be found in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 4
The responses to the second question were unanimous,
with all participants stating that there was no cultural
content in the game that could potentially offend people.
However, some respondents emphasized the importance
of being cautious and respectful towards the rights of
using symbols and pictures. This highlights the need to
ensure proper representation and avoid any
misappropriation. The detailed findings can be observed
in Figure 12.
Figure 12. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 5
The analysis of expert suggestions regarding cultural
content that could generate more interest among players
revealed several themes: Indigenous Culture, Taiwanese
Cuisine, Taiwanese History, Tourist Attractions, Urban
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Legends, Traditional Taiwanese Festivals and
Celebrations, Taiwanese Calligraphy and other
Traditional Art Forms, Taiwanese Fashion, Taiwanese
Language and Dialects, Taiwanese Technology and
Innovation, Taiwanese Sport Culture, Taiwanese
Environmentalism and Conservation Efforts, and
Taiwanese Folklore and Mythology.
The most frequently mentioned themes were traditional
Taiwanese festivals and celebrations, traditional
craftsmanship and art forms, and Taiwanese cuisine.
These cultural elements were highlighted as potential
sources of interest and engagement for players. The
frequency of appearance for each theme can be observed
in Figure 13.
Figure 13. Frequency of each theme’s appearances
regarding the response of question 6
The analysis of the respondents' feedback highlights a
diverse range of cultural aspects that could potentially be
incorporated into the game. Among the identified themes,
the most common ones were food, traditional festivals,
and traditional craftsmanship and art. It is notable that the
respondents did not find any existing cultural content in
the game that might offend people, although they
emphasized the need to respect intellectual property rights
when including cultural elements.
Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance
the game by incorporating additional cultural content
related to food, traditional festivals, and crafts and arts.
This could significantly increase player interest and
engagement. Furthermore, the respondents offered
suggestions for optimizing the game experience, such as
organizing cultural elements thematically and providing
more detailed location markers. Implementation of these
modifications has the potential to greatly improve the
overall gaming experience for players.
4.3.3 Analysis on the Final Question
During the final phase of the interview, the experts were
asked for any additional suggestions for the game,
allowing them to share their final thoughts. This open-
ended question elicited both positive and negative
feedback, with recurring themes related to technical issues
and the game's difficulty level.
Some experts pointed out technical issues with the
game's user interface design. Suggestions were made to
improve the clicking experience by creating larger grid
cells and adjusting the position of buttons. It was
emphasized that these technical issues should be
addressed to ensure a smooth user experience across
different devices and display ratios.
The difficulty level of the game was another topic of
discussion. Experts highlighted that the current difficulty
level might be suitable for foreigners but considered it too
easy and lacking in engagement for Taiwanese players.
To address this concern, it was suggested to adjust the
difficulty level and introduce different levels of
knowledge to cater to a wider range of players. Offering
customizable difficulty options was deemed desirable to
accommodate individual preferences.
On a positive note, experts expressed their appreciation
for the game's concept and expressed anticipation for its
update release. The game was described as interesting and
captivating, with a spirit that resonated with the experts.
In conclusion, the experts' feedback provided valuable
insights for improving the game and enhancing the overall
gaming experience. Addressing technical issues, adjusting
the difficulty level, and incorporating customizable
options were key recommendations to consider. The
positive feedback further validated the appeal and
potential of the game's concept.
4.4 Summary and Finding
Based on the analysis of the experts' feedback, it can be
concluded that their overall response to the research game
was positive. The sentiment analysis indicated a generally
positive attitude towards the game, while the thematic
analysis highlighted the appreciation for the game's social
network representation and its simplicity of gameplay.
In terms of cultural content, the experts provided
valuable suggestions to enhance the game. They
emphasized the need to address the potential issue of the
game being too easy for Taiwanese players and
recommended incorporating features that allow for deeper
exploration of cultural topics. The experts also proposed
the inclusion of modern cultural elements, such as sports
culture and fashion, to attract specific audience segments.
While the feedback was predominantly positive, the
experts also offered constructive criticism to improve the
game. They stressed the importance of ensuring a smooth
and enjoyable gaming experience similar to scrolling
through a social network application. The experts further
recommended implementing a customizable difficulty
level to cater to different player preferences. Additionally,
to sustain player interest, the suggestions included
introducing a competitive mode, different game modes,
and additional content.
Overall, the experts' feedback provides valuable
insights and highlights areas for improvement in the
game. By addressing the suggestions and incorporating
the recommended enhancements, the game has the
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K. C. J. Miao et al.
10
potential to appeal to a wider audience and offer a more
engaging and enjoyable experience.
5. Conclusion
The research acknowledges the neglect and declining
recognition of Taiwanese cultural heritage, particularly
among the younger generation. To address this concern,
this research proposes the implementation of a game as a
means to preserve and promote Taiwanese culture. The
positive feedback from expert interviews validates the
potential of this approach and provides valuable insights
for the refinement of the research game.
However, the research has limitations. Time constraints
prevented further development of the research game based
on the expert feedback, as well as conducting experiments
with the target audience. Future research should prioritize
gathering insights from ordinary Taiwanese individuals
through game testing and surveys. Additionally, technical
issues were raised by some experts, indicating the need
for ensuring a technically sound game.
Despite the challenges, the team remains committed to
this endeavor due to the value of Taiwanese culture. The
aim is to create a final game that effectively facilitates
cultural learning and fosters a deeper appreciation for
Taiwanese culture. The findings of this research can serve
as a resource for other researchers and game designers
interested in cultural game-related research. The hope is
to inspire more designers to engage with Taiwanese
culture through games, thereby promoting broader
understanding and appreciation of it among the public.
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