[Air-L] [CFP] HCII 2009: Usability and Sociability in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds

[Jimmy Ang]

Dear all

HCI International Conference 2009
Session invitation on the topic of:
Usability and Sociability in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds

We are inviting potential presenters to join us in the session,
"Usability and Sociability in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds" in
HCI International Conference 2009 which will take place in San Diego,
USA, 19-21 July 2009.
(http://www.hcii2009.org/)

Social oriented games such as MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online
Role Playing Games) and 3D virtual worlds (e.g. Second Life) provide a
flexible social space for the users to interact as well as an open
space that invites the user's imagination and creativity to engage in
various types of play and learning activities.
One major issue of 3D virtual worlds is the usability obstacle the
users have to overcome (the so-called "pain barrier") in order to
fully utilise this exciting 3D social technological medium. We believe
that this problem, usually due to the interface design, seriously
undermines the potential of 3D virtual worlds. Unfortunately not much
has been done to address this critical issue as most research in this
area is oriented towards the application of 3D virtual worlds,
assuming that all users are proficient in this game-like environment.
Therefore we firmly believe that there is a great potential in
researching these usability issues.

The session aims to discuss the latest findings of usability and
sociability of 3D virtual worlds. Topics include but not limited to:
a)      methodologies of studying usability and sociability of games and 3D
virtual worlds
b)      case studies of the application of games and 3D virtual worlds and
their usability issues
c)      empirical studies of user interaction, social interaction and
social network within this context

If you are interested in joining us, please send the title of the
presentation, a 100 word abstract and your contact details to
cf559 at soi.city.ac.uk by 24 October 2008 (Friday). If you have further
enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Hope to see you there.

Jim Ang
Research Fellow
Centre for HCI Design
City University London
UK




--
Cheers
(Jim) Chee Siang Ang

Research Fellow
Room A210
Centre of Human-computer Interaction Design
City University London EC1V 0HB
Phone: +44 (0)20 7040 8166
Fax: +44 (0)20 7040 8859
Web: http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~cf559/