Major Research Types
Correlational research-
This type of research method is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2 or more quantitative variables from the same group of subjects, those variables are studied and it is tried to determine if there is any type of relationship (Or covariation) between the 2 variables (Similarity between, not a difference between their means).
Any 2 quantitative variables can be correlated (for example, midterm scores & number of cats that you own) as long as you have scores on these variables from the same participants; however, it is probably a waste of time to collect & analyze data when there is little reason to think these two variables would be related to each other.
When there is no correlation between 2 variables this is know as Zero Correlation. A real life examples could be that there is no relationship between your IQ and how fast you run. Also, when we have a correlation, we can express them visually. To express the correlations we must use scattergrams.
When the participants increase it also increases the validity of the research.
Perfect correlations would almost never occur; Although correlation can't prove a causal relationship, it can be used for prediction, to support a theory, to measure test-retest reliability, etc.
Descriptive Research-
Descriptive research is used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. It does not answer questions about how/when/why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the "what" question. The characteristics used to describe the situation or population are usually some kind of categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories.
Hence, descriptive research cannot describe what caused a situation. Thus, descriptive research cannot be used to as the basis of a causal relationship, where one variable affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity.
Experimental Research-
Experimental research describes the process that a researcher undergoes of controlling certain variables and manipulating others to observe if the results of the experiment reflect that the manipulations directly caused the particular outcome. This type of research differs from a descriptive study, and another one of its important aspects is the use of random assignment.
Audience Research
Audience research could be defined as any communication research that is conducted on specific audience segments to gather information about their attitudes, knowledge, interests, preferences or behaviors with respect to prevention issues. Segments may be based on various grouping strategies, such as race, ethnicity, age, education, religion or family income.
Market Research
Market research purpose is to gather information about target markets or customers. This is a very important business strategy.
Market research is one of the key factors used in maintaining competitiveness over competitors. Market research provides important information to identify and analyze the market need, market size and competition. Market-research techniques encompass both qualitative techniques such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, and ethnography, as well as quantitative techniques such as customer surveys, and analysis of secondary data.
Production Research
Production research is always needed is the development of a new product. This type of research will help giving information for the new product.
When organisations do production research it helps them to see an overview of the commercial viability, which is businesses skills to be successful and gain profit.
As I have explained different types of research, now I am going to show examples and talk about them in within the Games Industry having Dark Souls 2 as my example.
Dark Souls Franchise
The Souls series a series of action role-playing video games created and developed by FromSoftware. Everything began with Demon Souls, then it was followed by Dark Souls 1, 2 and 3.
How it plays?
Now, I am gonna talk about some mechanics of the game, powered attacks and different styles of combat are a pretty huge mechanic. To demonstrate that, I can give this situation: If a player likes and its used to dual wielding some classes would suit that play-style + there is a lot of combinations and different weapons to use. Same thing will happen with spells, magic or for example other weapons such as great-swords or even 2 shields!.
Dodge mechanics are a huge factor in the Dark Souls series, any boss in normal mode is as hard as any other game in extreme. But the dodge mechanic gives the game a different taste and makes the bosses easier, along with the parry mechanic, those 2 are the most important ones in the game.
Summoning is important too as it gives the help of other people or relatives who play it, also summoning could be in a pair with invading other players and defeating them, this makes the game harder as they could invade you at anytime time during the game.
Opinions and reviews.
You will die, a lot. You will die on the end of a sword, on the edge of an axe, crushed by a boulder, impaled on fangs; you will be poisoned, eaten, stabbed, assassinated and pushed off cliffs. Death is everything in Dark Souls. It's education, it's progress, it's the recurring stylistic and thematic motif that runs through all of its spectacularly varied, decaying and depraved environments. The first thing that you have to understand about this game is that survival is in itself a tremendous accomplishment. It can be punishing, cruel, sadistic and uncompromising. It can also be the purest, most thrilling adrenaline rush in gaming – it can take over your life and reward you like nothing else can. Exactly because your chances of success are so slim, each victory feels monumental.
As we can see, the game is all about progress and people as usual say that its pretty hard, the first impressions of the game are mechanics mentioned earlier, difficulty and satisfaction.
People often talk about the same exact topic, difficulty. But it is really relative, as some players may think that what is difficult is secrets and certain places and exploration, other may think its NPC or bosses. But overall opinions are pretty good, of course there is some negative opinions and they are right in some cases. One could be gameplay, the gameplay over all is a bit funky, Demon Souls had better combat system and opinions may be biased in this certain topic and may be negative just because Dark Souls 1, 2 or 3 have not developed better combat systems even though they are more modern.
Dark Souls II is a smart, massive, and incredibly rewarding sequel. It’s crammed with deep systems, tense encounters, and enough clever multiplayer and New Game Plus elements to make me want to restart the second I saw the end credits. Not all of the tweaks and additions worked out for the best, but with such great enemies and levels to fight and explore, Dark Souls II made 60 hours of pain and agony so much fun they flew by in a heartbeat.
In this comment they also mention difficulty, but the mention the love for the game, 60 hours of agony turned in to fun and it had great enemies and levels. This is a bit different from the other comment, it was mentioned the satisfaction after defeating a boss or completing something. But this "review" mentions hows what is "bad" (Difficulty) in the first place is transformed and how fast happens because you are having fun. Basically, the game is fun because its hard and challenging, this may be why players have good overviews about the game.
It also implies gameplay and other parts that influence, music and soundtrack in general.
t all begins with “Prologue,” which will have you saying to yourself, “Wait, this is Motoi Sakuraba?” with its dark, tense, and even dissonant soundscape. Sakuraba continues the choral tradition of Kida’s prologue here, and the addition of throaty male voices (similar to what was heard in Cursed Mountain) are a nice touch.
The game’s central hub, “Firelink Shrine,” sounds desperate with string swells and a melancholy harp progression, and similar in style and instrumentation to the nexus theme from Demon’s Souls (“Maiden in Black”).
From there, it’s on to the boss themes. I’ll call some of them out by name, but will refrain on others to prevent spoilers. For the most part, the boss themes are bombastic orchestral affairs with lots of brass, crash cymbals, and chaotic swirls of strings. “Bell Gargoyl,” however, stands out for its horrific string scratches, showing that Sakuraba has learned a thing or two about working with an orchestra over the years.
Even if we don't know what is this about, we can see how this opinion explains hows the soundtrack and the producer of the following has developed and now its better, this is a good thing because people react to it and they see and enjoy the change. Opinions are different and some people may don't like it but it is good to have those different thoughts about the same example.
Audience Research - Dark Souls
The game needs to be appealing to different types of audience, to reach that destination the game needs to be split up in different parts so we can analyze it.
Opinions are different depending the individual, factors such as Music, Graphics or Gameplay can change that opinion instantly. The research that needs to be done for future Dark Souls or other games has to focus on old players and people that may be interested, to reinforce selling and good reviews and opinions about the game.
Interests that players may have could be linked to the style of the game, the challenge that gives as being pretty difficult or for the lore that has behind the gameplay.
Also, adding different DLC's or Soundtracks and creating bundles can also bring attention from costumers and the overall audience.
Market Research - Dark Souls
Market research for Dark souls will study the players, first of all it will focus on past Dark Souls and Demon Souls. Focusing on earlier games of the same franchise, How many copies did they sold? What did the players thought and realized about pricing and different Editions? DLC''s?.
This will help the organisation/company with the next game. An examples could be., gathering information from Dark Souls 1, 2 or even 3 can help in the next game of the franchise or other game by the same creator/director.
Having the information about the copies sold by past games they can know where and why did it sold more. This is a huge advantage because they can focus on certain regions. The examples is, if more copies where sold in Asia, they could focus in Europe next time because they know that Asia is going to purchase more copies. This is a good strategy and helps the business side of the game.
Other methods of income for the the company could be Merchandise, DLC's or Soundtracks.
Examples are:
Bandai store that sells both games and Merchandise of the Souls saga.
https://www.bandainamcoentstore.com/brand/dark_souls
Lost Crown Trilogy - Dark Souls 2 DLC's
http://store.steampowered.com/app/271944/ (This shows one of the Lost Crown DLC)
Copies Sold:
Demon Souls
Demon's Souls sold 39,966 copies in its first week in Japan
Over 1,7 Million Copies in 2015
Dark Souls Series
Dark Souls series has sold more than 8.5 million copies.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-01-dark-souls-series-sales-surpass-8-5-million
According to the numbers:
- Dark Souls has sold 2,828,000 units worldwide
- Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition ("with Artorias of the Abyss") has sold 2,765,000 units worldwide
- Dark Souls 2 has sold 2,311,000 units worldwide
- Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin has sold 600,000 units worldwide
- That's a total of 8,504,000 sold
The PC-specific number comes from SteamSpy, which may not be entirely accurate. According to SteamSpy:
- Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition has sold 1,977,541 (+/- 33,243) units on Steam
- Dark Souls 2 has sold 994,455 (+/- 23,621) units on Steam
- Dark Souls 2: Scholars of the First Sin has sold 256,772 (+/- 12,021) units on Steam
- That's a total of 3,228,768 sold (+/- 68,885)
Conclusion.
The game overall could be more focused for older players and players that are used to this series or type of game, but it also appeals to new players and makes them develop and interest for the game.
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