Help out the cause of on-line gaming From: dmorris@seas.upenn.edu (Dave Morris) Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 00:00:00 +0000 WIN $60 IN CASH...OR...A YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION TO YOUR FAVORITE GAMING MAGAZINE...OR...YOUR FAVORITE GAME OF EQUAL VALUE. By completing this survey, you are eligible to win one of the prizes above!! This survey was created by students at the University of Pennsylvania who are looking at games over the Internet. The purpose of this survey is to find out about your awareness, experiences, and preferences regarding on-line games. On-line games include games played through commercial on-line services (AOL), over local area networks (LANs), over the Internet, through a dial-up game service, by linking two stand-alone console games, and anything else you can play on-line. DIRECTIONS: STEP 1: Hit your reply command (as e-mail). STEP 2: If your newsreader does not automatically copy this message, manually copy and paste the text into the body of your reply message. STEP 3: Fill in the blanks. STEP 4: Send message (and you're done!!!) STEP 4a: (If your newsreader does not automatically fill in the reply address as e-mail, please send the filled out survey to dmorris@seas.upenn.edu) 1) Approximately when did you start playing on-line games? (mo./yr.): 2) How many hours per week do you spend playing on-line games? 3) Please rank your favorite categories of games, where 1 = your most favorite category of game, 2 = your next favorite category of game, and so on: Rank: Category: Action/adventure Fantasy Parlor games (chess, checkers, cards) Puzzle/Strategy Role-playing Simulation Sports War/combat Other (please specify) 4) Please rank the following on-line games that you have played in order of preference: Rank: Game: Air Warrior Civilization II Command & Conquer Doom II/Final Doom Duke Nukem 3D Meridien 59 Monopoly Quake/Quakeworld SimCity 2000 Network Edition Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness Other (please specify) 5) Please rank the following networks that you have played in order of preference, where 1 = the network you prefer most, 2 = the network you prefer next, and so on: Rank: Network: AOL Catapult/X-Band CompuServe CRIS Diablo DWANGO Engage GEnie Happy Puppy ImagiNation Network Khan/Kali MPG-Net Mplayer Prodigy TEN Ultima On-line VR-1 WirePlay Other (please specify) Don't Know No Answer 6) What three things do you like most about the existing games you've played? 1- 2- 3- 7) What three things would you like to see added to new games? 1- 2- 3- 8) Of the on-line game developers/publishers that you are familiar with, please rate them on each of the characteristics below (i.e. a separate ranking for playing quality, graphics quality, creativity, and variety of games: ( where 1= poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent): Playing | Graphics | Creativity/ | Variety Quality | Quality | Originality | of games Game Publisher: 3DO | | | Acclaim | | | Accolade | | | Activision | | | AOL | | | Aries | | | Atari | | | Blizzard Ent | | | Bullfrog | | | CompuServe | | | Electronic Arts | | | GEnie | | | GT Interactive | | | id Software | | | InterPlay | | | Konami | | | Lucas Arts | | | Maxis | | | Microprose | | | Mindscape | | | Nintendo | | | Origin | | | Sega | | | Sierra | | | SkyBox | | | Sony | | | Spectrum Holobyte | | | Trilobyte | | | Virgin Interactive | | | Other (specify) | | | | | | | | | | | | 9. Regarding the on-line games you've played, how would you rate the following attributes? Please type in one number for each attribute. If an attribute currently does not apply, please select �NA.� Poor=1 Fair=2 Good=3 Very Good=4 Excellent=5 Attribute: Action and adventure Surprises, secrets, and strategy Easy to use: intuitive play, no fuss with manuals Voice capability: talk with opponents or teammates while you play Competition against live opponents (not just the computer) Multiplayer: many players in all games at once New combinations: switch roles, play with different partners Alliances and leagues: join a team in your favorite sports or adventure game Grandstands: stand on the sidelines to watch others play Tournaments: play against equally skilled players, try to be the champion Prize opportunity: win cash and prizes Variety network: service offering a selection of familiar and new games Dedicated network: service devoted to one of your favorite games Ranking statistics: bulletin board shows your status versus other players Up to date information: tips, game reviews, previews of new games On-line ability to purchase secrets, hints, special weapons or tools Chat room: talk about the game, learn hints, find partner Trial opportunity: try a game, test a pre-released game Advertising: sponsors' products embedded in the game to enable free service On-line ability to purchase a game: have it sent to you, be able to download it over the Internet 10) How did you find out about these on-line games (please mark an "x" next to all that apply)? Advertisement (newspaper, magazine, or TV) Advertisement on the Web By surfing the Web Direct mail Friend/relative Game reviews (magazine, web site, etc.) Store employee/display Other 11) How do you currently pay to play these on-line games (please mark an "x" all that apply)? By the game By monthly subscription By the hour By the minute By the level of the game I don't pay for games Other NOTE: We are exploring how much interest there would be in an on-line gaming community via a World Wide Web site created by an existing game publisher. After installing the game on the player's computer, the player would connect to this site through Internet access. Players would be able to interact with each other by playing this game, watching others play, or by sharing their interests. The site would be updated continuously. For example, games would be changed so that when visitors return to the site they would experience a different environment (like new levels in a game). 12) Rate the importance of each of the following attributes you would look for when playing on our proposed on-line gaming community (please type in one number for each attribute): Not Important=0 Not Very Important=1 Somewhat Important=2 Important=3 Fairly Important=4 Very Important=5 Attribute: Action and adventure Surprises, secrets, and strategy Easy to use: intuitive play, no fuss with manuals Voice capability: talk with opponents or teammates while you play Competition against live opponents (not just the computer) Multiplayer: many players in all games at once New combinations: switch roles, play with different partners Alliances and leagues: join a team in your favorite sports or adventure game Grandstands: stand on the sidelines to watch others play Tournaments: play against equally skilled players, try to be the champion Prize opportunity: win cash and prizes Variety network: service offering a selection of familiar and new games One genre of games, for example, only sports, only action/adventure, etc. Dedicated network: service devoted to one of your favorite games Ranking statistics: bulletin board shows your status versus other players Up to date information: tips, game reviews, previews of new games On-line ability to purchase secrets, hints, special weapons or tools Chat room: talk about the game, learn hints, find partner Trial opportunity: try a game, test a pre-released game Advertising: sponsors' products embedded in the game to enable free service On-line ability to purchase a game: have it sent to you, be able to download it over the Internet Price vs. Value Reputation of game developer/publisher 13) Would you be more likely to try the gaming site (please mark an "x" next to one): after finding out about the site on your own? after hearing about the site from someone? NOTE: Under our proposed plan, game players would purchase the games to be played on our site. Then players would pay separately for access to the gaming site. 14) Where would you most likely purchase the actual games to be played on our site? (please mark an "x" next to three) Catalog/Mail Order Specialty Software Store (Egghead Software, Etc.) Toy Store (Toys R Us, Kaybee Toys) Discount Retailer (K-Mart, WalMart, Price Club) Internet Other (please specify) 15) Assuming you get your 5 favorite features and benefits of belonging to our gaming community, would you be willing to pay for access to our proposed gaming site? (yes or no) 16) If so, how would you pay for access to the gaming site? By the game By monthly subscription By the hour By the minute By one time flat fee Other 17) What would you consider a fair price for access to the gaming network (according to your response to Question #15)? 18) Are you Male or Female? 19) How old are you? 20) What state or country (if other than U.S.), do you live in? 21) What types of platform(s) do you currently play games on (please mark an "x" next to all that apply)? PC/ PC compatible Video console game players (PlayStation, etc.) Mac/ Mac Compatible Other: 22) What is your occupation? (please mark an "x" by your selection.) Clerical/Administrative Homemaker Middle Management Professional/Technical Sales Self-Employed Tradesman/Craftsman Upper Management Retired Student Other 23) Which group describes your annual household income: (please mark an "x" by your selection) Under $20,000 $20,000 - $29,999 $30,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $69,999 $70,000 - $79,999 $80,000 - $89,999 $90,000 - $99,999 $100,000 and over 24) Additional Comments: Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. To be eligible for the prize, please submit your completed survey, and note your name, e-mail address, and phone number below. One winner will be randomly chosen from a drawing of all eligible participants. Only complete surveys will be eligible. The winner will be contacted via e-mail or phone. Name: e-mail: Phone: PLEASE REPLY AS E-MAIL TO dmorris@seas.upenn.edu Up