User study: discussion
Based on the results presented above, we can answer RQ2, and clarify how user tactics are used to appropriate Monkey Tales. The aim of the user study was not to create a fixed, exhaustive typology user behavior. People’s behavior is inherently messy, and based on a long-term study with 8 respondents, it is not feasible to create such a typology. However, the rich accounts of players’ individual interpretations and uses do show a clear variation in appropriation. On one end of the spectrum, respondent 2 is a player that likes math in school. The mini games are his favorite part of the game, and he played the mini games independently from the main game. Overall, this respondent was most open to the educational aspects of the game. At the other end of the spectrum, there is respondent 8, who showed the most extensive math-avoiding behavior, and disliked the Bridge of Death levels. This respondent reported dislike math in school, and did not play individual mini games. The other respondents can be situated in between the ‘extremes’ of respondents 2 and 8.