Learning to play: understanding in-game tutorials with a pilot study on implicit tutorials

Tutorials are essential strategies used by game designers to improve video games' playability. The concept of “learning to play” exemplified by game tutorials also seems potentially related to game-based learning, but studies on game tutorials still appear scant. In order to support more in-depth researching on in-game tutorials and contribute to the current understanding of players' gameplay learning, this paper performed a literature review on research of game tutorials and revealed five commonly reported features of in-game tutorials. First, tutorials are typically considered more significant for games with complex gameplay. Second, players' gaming proficiency should be consulted when studying in-game tutorials. Third, the tutorials may be more effective when players can practice on their own and receive timely feedback. Fourth, providing players with just-in-time access to tutorials was thought to have a positive effect on their learning of the gameplay. Finally, the research in this area had been reported as deficient until 2017. Based on the literature review, a pilot study on implicit game tutorials was conducted to explore a more effective form of in-game tutorials. Using a designed questionnaire, the pilot study performed a quantitative analysis on recruited players’ feedback and in-game performance and tested the results against five hypotheses established upon the literature review. It suggested that providing players with implicit guidance and gamified instructive elements in the tutorial section can improve their in-game perceptions, and implicit tutorials are especially beneficial for players experienced in gaming. This study extended the previous studies on game tutorials and may contribute to the follow-up studies on game tutorials.