The Scientification of Games: Analyzing Ghost Blitz Through the Lens of Cognitive Psychology
The Scientification of Games: Analyzing Ghost Blitz Through the Lens of Cognitive Psychology
The Scientification of Games: Analyzing Ghost Blitz Through the Lens of Cognitive Psychology
Benjamin James Dyson
January, 29, 2024
Summary
This article explores the intersection of behavioral science and game design through the concept of "scientification of games." Using the card game Ghost Blitz, researchers analyze how cognitive psychology principles—like visual search, task switching, and stimulus-driven vs. expectation-driven processing—are embedded in gameplay. The game’s rules highlight perceptual and decision-making dynamics, while statistical biases in card distribution (favoring Rule B over Rule A) reveal opportunities for optimization and variant design. The authors propose balanced card sets and investigate whether natural correspondences between color and shape affect player response. Overall, the study demonstrates how commercial games can illuminate cognitive processes and inspire scientific inquiry.
Reference
Dyson, B. J. (2024, January 29). The scientification of games: Analyzing Ghost Blitz through the lens of cognitive psychology. Analog Game Studies. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/01/the-scientification-of-games-analyzing-the-card-game-ghost-blitz-through-the-lens-of-cognitive-psychology/