Developing an Adaptive Memory Game for Seniors

This paper describes the development of a game application for seniors to train their memory and learning abilities. From an initial co-discovery evaluation participants were found to prefer more cognitive challenge and expected more synergy between the games. Based on this feedback, a redesign was developed consisting of nine cognitive games, which were integrated in a higher-level maze game. In addition, each game was extended with five difficulty levels. The results of a two week field trial show that training positively affects performance, although this effect is mediated by subjective vitality. In addition, the amount of effort that participants put into playing the games contributed significantly to their experience of engagement, this in turn positively affected performance, which positively affected participants’ motivation to play the games. Participants with a high community rank experienced more pressure than participants with a lower acquired rank.