User Experience, Attitude towards Replay and Play Endings - a semi-Situated Study of an Interactive Play Space

Interactive Play Spaces can support positive behaviour. Play endings, user experience (UX), and replay intention, can play an important role to achieve this. However, the relation between these aspects is underexplored. We explore how different types of endings–open, closed positive (winning), and closed negative (losing)–affect user experience and attitude towards replay in a semi-situated study with 93 adults in a science center. While assigned ending conditions did not significantly influence reported experience, many participants, significantly in the open-ended condition, perceived their assigned ending condition differently. Analysis on these self-reported endings revealed that players who experienced a closed negative ending reported higher Stimulation (UEQ). Additionally, user experience dimensions (Attractiveness, Dependability, Stimulation) and Positive Affect (I-PANAS-SF) positively related to attitude towards replay. These findings provide insights into the relation between play endings, UX and attitude towards replay, and highlight the importance of inquiring about experienced experimental conditions in user research.