Super Synthesis Pros., or why CHI PLAY needs research synthesis

Abstract

Games user research is a-booming -- or maybe a-goomba-ing -- with a boundless parade of papers popping up from every nook and pipe. We may need a super power -- or super method -- from another world. I outline three motivations for jump-starting research synthesis in games user research. I argue that: research synthesis will validate this field of study and enrich primary research (meta-scholarship); we must level up both primary and secondary research (education); and we should reflect this epistemological stance in community structures and adopt established tools and protocols (standardization). I offer power-ups to get the toads rolling.