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Ryan Coyer Aaron Schram CSCI 4830 DLC: Project Progress Report One As we stated in our project proposal, our project will explore the effect that video games can have upon one’s learning and mastering of a task. More specifically, we have been exploring how Tiger Woods PGA Golf (XBOX) affects the golf games of multiple people of varying abilites by providing information and guidance in both ‘on-demand’ and passive fashions. Our progress thus far has been in the following two categories: 1. Analysis of the Tiger Woods PGA Golf game As we stated in the proposal, there are several specific situations in which the information provided to the user is particularly useful. Besides the specific cases which we mentioned earlier, we have added more detail to the following situations: Wind and Weather: Tiger Woods golf teaches us that you should change your club selection and aim based upon the speed and direction of the wind. More specifically, the user can view the wind speed and direction (as well as a report of any precipitation) and change their play accordingly. For example, if the necessary direction of the next shot is due north, and the wind is blowing from a westerly direction, a player must aim slightly east of north to compensate. Consider also a situation with precipitation. A player must either select a club that will yield more distance or swing harder to compensate. Grass Condition: Based upon the general condition of the grass, Tiger Woods golf tells us to alter club selection and swing execution. Grass can either be cut short (fairway), cut medium (fringe) or left long (rough). Additionally, wet grass imposes another level of difficulty, not only because of slippery footing but because of unpredictable ball striking. Before each shot, the player is prompted with information regarding the type of grass in which the ball has landed. Even more useful is a fairly precise estimation of how much distance will be sacrificed on your next shot due to the type of grass. For example, consider a case where you need to hit the ball 200 yards (with a 5 iron). If your ball lies in the rough, the system will prompt you with an estimated actual distance of ~50% of the theoretical distance (or 100 yards). So, in long rough, you must select a club that will propel a ball 400 yards in order to enjoy an actual distance of 200 yards. There are different types of grass used by different courses and this also affects the distance traveled by the ball. The game doesn’t address this directly, however. Elevation Change: Based upon the difference in elevation between current ball position and the intended ball position, there are modifications that you must make. There are some slightly complex geometric calculations that must be made to determine how elevation change impacts the flight of a ball. The system simplifies all of that by prompting the player with an ‘elevation change’ adjustment that advises adding or subtracting a club, based upon the actual change in elevation. 2. Procedure for the Assessment We proposed the following in our project proposal: Four people, each with a different ability level, will go play a round of golf. After this, two of the people will play the Tiger Woods game for a significant number of hours over the period of one week. Following that week, the same four people will play golf again at the same course. We have altered our plans and will now assess the impact of the program as follows: We will have four people of differing golf and Tiger Woods/XBOX experience and ability. We will all go golfing (9 holes at a local golf course) and record not only our scores but also ratings for our accuracy and shot quality. We will then play the game together for a period of time, measuring progress in the game and also the time spent playing. Finally, we will all go golf again and discover what (if anything) was improved by playing the game. As we proceed with our experiment we will formulate more specific quantitative and qualitative analysis rules. All of our progress thus far has been delineated in the above report, however.
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