How General Game Expertise Shapes Player Experience and Problem-Solving Across Different Onboarding Approaches in a Puzzle Video Game

Abstract

Time spent playing video games varies widely across individuals, meaning research participants bring different baseline knowledge and strategies that shape their interactions with game materials and potentially influence study outcomes. Building on prior work documenting differential effects between novice and expert gamers, we examine how game expertise—measured by self-reported hours per week and years of play—relates to player experiences and problem-solving behaviors across three onboarding conditions in the commercial puzzle game Baba is You. Analyzing multiple data sources from over 120 players, we found that general game expertise relates to higher enjoyment, more completed levels, and increased exploratory tinkering behavior, with some effects varying by onboarding condition. These results underscore the importance of accounting for gaming expertise in both game research and design.