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As competitive and cooperative dynamics gain prominence in games, they present unique opportunities to study player behavior. This paper explores the orientations of different player types, as categorized by Bartle’s Taxonomy, through the lens of a Game With A Purpose (GWAP) called BartleZ. Bartle’s Taxonomy identifies four distinct player types–Achievers, Explorers, Socializers, and Killers. This study delves into how these different types approach competitive and cooperative gameplay, through structured dilemmas in BartleZ. Results with 45 participants, reveal that player orientations significantly influence engagement and decision-making. Achievers balanced both strategies; Explorers favored cooperation; Socializers consistently chose cooperation; and Killers preferred competition but adapted in some contexts. Overall, players leaned toward cooperation early on, with a shift toward competition as complexity increased. Our findings pinpoint the importance of tailoring GWAP mechanics with diverse player motivations, enhancing both engagement and problem-solving effectiveness. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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The use of gamified crowdsourcing mechanisms through serious games and games with a purpose (GWAPs) has emerged as an effective motivational strategy for enhancing performance in human intelligence tasks (HITs). In this systematic literature review, we examine the underlying characteristics of competitive and cooperative player-oriented GWAPs and how they can be leveraged to optimize crowdsourcing performance in completing batches of HITs. By exploring gamified crowdsourcing elements in GWAPs, we can evaluate the impact of these two types of player behaviors (i.e., competition and cooperation) on motivation and performance. We reviewed 27 publications and grouped them into five categories: player orientation, game elements and motivation, crowd work optimization, gamified knowledge collection, and comparative studies and best practices. Our research pinpoints the significance of intuitive task instructions, alignment of game elements with player motivations, and the role of competitive and cooperative dynamics in enhancing engagement and performance.

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The study of user logs plays a crucial role in understanding user behavior and preferences in various online environments. By analyzing user logs, researchers can gain valuable insights into how users interact with a system and make informed decisions on system improvements. They can also assess the effectiveness of different features and functionalities. In the field of game design, the exploration of user logs becomes even more important as it provides valuable information on player motivations, preferences, and gameplay patterns. This research explores the impact of Bartle Taxonomy on user behavior analysis through a Game with a Purpose (GWAP) named BartleZ. By analyzing user logs and decisions within the game, BartleZ aims to determine the dominant player type according to the Bartle Taxonomy classification. This research also investigates how different player types engage with the game and the implications for user experience design.

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