Usability Evaluation for Computer Games

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Usability Evaluation for Computer Games
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Motivation
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Understanding Games

• How are games similar to typical software
  applications?
• How are games different?

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How Are Game Similar?

• Despite their outwards appearance games are still
  pieces of software.
• Games are developed using typical software
  engineering practices evaluation takes place
  throughout a games lifetime.
• Usability is still a concern for games.

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A Problem of Usability
Video Who Framed Roger Rabbit? by The Angry
Nintendo Nerd
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How Are Games Different?

• A typical computer application is a means to an
  end.
• A good application allows users to easily achieve
  their goals.

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How Are Games Different?

• A game is an end unto itself.
• Playing a game should be intrinsically rewarding.
• A good game should make its player feel good.

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Having Fun

• The good feelings that games create are called
  fun.
• Nicole Lazzaro has identified four types of fun,
  including hard fun and easy fun.

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Hard Fun

• Hard fun is the satisfaction which comes from
  overcoming a challenge.
• Hard fun is closely related to learning.
• True fun is the emotional responseto learning.
  Ralph Koster

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What is Flow?

• When challenges are high and personal skills are
  used to the utmost, we experience this rare state
  of consciousness. We feel involved, concentrated,
  absorbed. We know what must be done, and we get
  immediate feedback as to how well we are doing.

Image adapted from http//www.deepfun.com/funflow.
htm
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How Does This Relate to Games?

• Flow, learning and hard fun are all related.
• To maximize hard fun, eliminate unnecessary
  periods of boredom and frustration.

Image adapted from http//www.deepfun.com/funflow.
htm
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The Paradox of Hard Fun

• To maintain hard fun, games must challenge
  players constantly evolving abilities.
• In order to maximize flow, it may be necessary
  for a player to occasionally feel frustrated or
  overwhelmed.

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Easy Fun

• Easy fun is an emotionally compelling experience.
• Easy fun can be anything a visual, a piece of
  music, a special effect, or a plot revelation.

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How Do We Test?

• Perform playtests with your target audience!
• Supplement your tests with additional data use
  video, data-logging and interviews.

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Time For a (Quick) Study!
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What Do We Look For?

• The player is repeatedly failing a task.
• The player is lost, or does not know how to
  proceed.
• The player is involuntarily emoting.
• The player is taking time to explore, experiment
  or admire.