Multiplayer Online Game-Based Framework for Exploring Human Contact Behavior and Adaptive Decision-Making During Pandemics
Journal
Proceedings of the 2025 9th International Conference on Education and Multimedia Technology
Start Page
109
End Page
114
Date Issued
2025-07-29
Author(s)
Lee, Hui-Chun
Abstract
Game-based environments provide rich, interactive spaces for learning and behavioral adaptation, making them valuable tools for studying decision-making under uncertainty. This study built a multiplayer simulation based on the Minecraft platform to explore how players learn and adapt to a disease outbreak within a dynamic gaming environment. Unlike traditional models with predefined behavioral rules, this framework allows players to experience real-time epidemic progression, adjust strategies dynamically, and make vaccination decisions based on network effects and evolving risk perception. The study tracks 18 participants over 34 in-game days, capturing player interactions, risk exposure, and vaccination uptake. Results indicate that players progressively adapted their behavior, with early vaccine adopters relying on intrinsic risk perception, while later adopters learned through social observation and epidemic trends. Network structures influenced decision-making, as highly connected players vaccinated earlier, whereas others exhibited free-riding behavior, delaying vaccination when surrounded by immunized peers. Additionally, players adjusted movement patterns and risk-taking behavior as they gained experience within the simulation. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of game-based simulations for studying adaptive learning. They highlight how players actively engage with risk, experiment with strategies, and refine their decision-making over time. This research contributes to game-based learning, computational epidemiology, and public health education, suggesting that interactive simulations can enhance epidemic preparedness and vaccine adoption strategies. Future research should explore how digital environments can further optimize adaptive learning in public health contexts.
Subjects
Adaptive Behavior
Epidemic Decision-Making
Game-Based Learning
Multiplayer Simulation
Risk Perception
Publisher
ACM
Type
conference paper