Exploring the Benefits of Game Visualization Patterns in the Design of Construction Planning Applications.

Abstract

The construction domain has in recent years increased its pace of adopting digital solutions to solve complex problems related to productivity and collaboration. Another domain that simulates similar challenges is the strategy & city-builder genres of video games. Since both domains are heavily involved in navigating the spatial and temporal dimensions, it is possible that design patterns from the latter could be beneficial in software applications for construction planning. This potential benefit was explored by first identifying 30 Visual Design Patterns in three games. These patterns were then utilized in the implementation of 12 software features in a preexisting construction planning application, of which 9 were based on specific patterns. The features were evaluated in an prototype evaluation using the several design methods with a focus group. Results from the evaluation largely indicate that the Visual Design Patterns had a positive impact on productivity and collaboration, however, since the participants interacted with the features acting as proxies for the underlying patterns, further research is needed to reinforce these initial findings.