The scientification of games: Analysing the card game Ghost Blitz through the lens of Cognitive Psychology

The gamification of science implements aspects of game design into scientific paradigms, overcoming the pitfalls associated with laboratory-based data collection. We identify the complementary route of the scientification of games, where the study of commercially developed games provides novel insights into behavioural science. Using the card game Ghost Blitz, we identify how players might resolve the game on a round-by-round basis via both bottom-up (stimulus-driven) and top-down (expectation-driven) processes. We identify statistical biases within the game favouring one rule over the other, and, a second bias where specific stimuli are over-represented. These detailed analyses allow for a re-designed and balanced version of the game, incorporating elements of feature versus conjunction processing, visual search asymmetries, and, task switching. The scientification of games allows for unique teachable moments using games as the vehicle of delivery, and, feeds back principles of randomization and counterbalancing into the design of commercial games.