The authors conducted experiments in history classes in a technical high-school using the MMORPG "Uncharted Waters Online" and researched the educational effects. 291students (aged15-18yrs) were divided into control and experimental groups and their responses to the Pre- and Post- questionnaires were compared statistically. In Study 1, students who played the game fre ely (experimental group 1) scored higher than those who did not play the game (control group) in the scale of interest in history. Students who played the game following the teacher's instructions ( experimental group 2) showed improvement in their academic performance in the term examination immediately following the experiment. In Study 2, the quantity of communication among students and teachers in the experiment was manipulated and its positive effects were observed in the scale of interest in history. Lastly, the limitations as wel l as future potential of these results are discus sed.

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The first objective of this study was to create a checklist for evaluating individual educational video games. We refined the previously created 5 check forms by conducting two preliminary surveys, and finally created a checklist consisting of a total of 75 items in 12 areas. The second objective of this study was to use the newly created checklist to conduct content analysis on children's software commercially available in Japan in order to examine the current status of educational video games. As a result of assessment of 12 pieces of software carried out by 8 undergraduate students, the subject software was found to have a few noteworthy features such as high technological quality, a structure supporting self-directed learning, and dealing with educationally important topics. Meanwhile, in relation to the subject software, there worn also issues to be addressed in the future such as: insufficient support for individual learners; limitations of the style of lemming because, for example, learning in cooperation with others was not included in the software design; and improvement of provision of software information was deemed necessary.

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In this study, we examined the effect of frequent viewing of violent depictions in video games as well as the amount of video game usage on aggression. W e conducted a panel study with a total of 790 junior high school students in 2004 and 2005. A multiple regression model was constructed in order to examine the causal relationship between video game use and aggression. The results indicated that the more they played video games, the more their aggression decreased, and while the more they viewed violent contents, the more their physical aggression increased. In addition, the role of cognitive reflections in moderating the effects of video game usage was reviewed.

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Nowadays, we can use many communication services via the Internet. Social concern over communication spaces that allow us to use avatars like "Second Life" has beng rowing. On the other hand, online games which have a text-based communication system have also grown since the 1980's. However, the definition and con nection betwe en avatar-based com munications and text-based com munications remains confusing. The main purpose of this paper is to organize information on these communication sand to examine the conections between them. Based on the examination result, I identified the issues and methodology for the studies which dealt with not only online games but also Internet-based communication.

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This thesis constructs a model for understanding the subject matter of digital games as artwork through visual elements.The term visual elements refers to everything expressed on the display and it is an important means for a game designer to transmit his intention to a game player. In this thesis, I suggest that game-playing is the interaction of games and players through visual information, and I aim to build a model of the inner construction of digital games with in that interaction.

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In this study, first we collectively named the views of games and game designs that focused on improving understanding of games as "tutorialism" and suggested that the above mentioned views of game designs may have developed from the fortunate circumstances of the Japanese game market in the first half of the 1980's. We then also described the potential and issues of such views of game designs.

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Over 36 years have passed since the first comercially successful arcade game "Pong," a simulated game of ping-pong, was invented by Nolan Bushnell at Atari. The game machines at that time were designed to use standard logic ICs, From the technological point of view, they were all immature, and as applications of interactive computer graphics they were also very primitive, Since then, a huge number of games incorporating state-of-the-art computer technologies have been released by companies al over the world. Recent computer games, which have evolved through several stages of technical inovation, constitute what may be caled a brand-new interactive medium. In this paper, we discus several fundamental technologies used in computer games mainly in terms of hardware architecture.

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This paper traces the history of the visualizing technology in racing games using some examples released from BANDAI-NAMCO GAMES (originally released from NAMCO) , Pole Position, Winning Run and Ridge Racer. Using the concepts in Roger Caillois's Man, Play and Games, this paper classifies the aims of the game planner and users' experiences with racing games and shows that these games are developed systematically in accordance with needs of users. Some technological challenges for the future are discussed in the final section.

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In this study, we clarified the purpose of motion capturing from the perspectives of "reduction of animation creation workloads" and "reproduction of reality" using examples of animation creation based on heuristics. We also described the necessity and importance of implementation of deformation processes, unique to digital games, while reproducing reality obtained through motion capturing. Furthermore, we described the current difficulties and potential of real-time physical calculation using production version machines. We then identified and discussed possible solutions for the current issues of streamlining of finger or facial animation.

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[in Japanese]

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