Games User Research: Practice, Methods, and Applications

Playtesting sessions are becoming more integrated in game development cycles. However, playtests are not always feasible or affordable for smaller independent game studios, as they require specialized equipment and expertise. Given the recent growth and prevalence of independent developers, there is a need to adapt playtesting processes for indie studios to assist in creating an optimal player experience. Therefore, our research focuses on challenges and opportunities of integrating games user research in the development cycles of independent studios. We worked with three studios conducting playtests on their upcoming titles. In line with the CHI2016 #chi4good spirit this paper contributes to the important topic of adopting user research methods for indie and small game studios. We believe that the games user research (GUR) field must advance towards demographics that will benefit from GUR but are under-represented in the community and this paper is one of the first that will contribute to this.

In this article we compare the benefits for game design and development relative to the use of three Game User Research (GUR) methodologies (user interviews, game metrics, and psychophysiology) to assist in shaping levels for a 2-D platformer game. We illustrate how these methodologies help level designers make more informed decisions in an otherwise qualitative design process. GUR data sources were combined in pairs to evaluate their usefulness in small-scale commercial game development scenarios , as commonly used in the casual game industry. Based on the improvements suggested by each data source, three levels of a Super Mario clone were modified and the success of these changes was measured. Based on the results we conclude that user interviews provide the clearest indications for improvement among the considered methodologies while metrics and biometrics add different types of information that cannot be obtained otherwise. These findings can be applied to the development of 2-D games; we discuss how other types of games may differ from this. Finally, we investigate differences in the use of GUR methodologies in a follow-up study for a commercial game with children as players.

DiGRA '19 - Proceedings of the 2019 DiGRA International Conference, 2019

In this paper we present a qualitative research methodology for conducting scholarly remote player studies, derived from a comparison of player-testing protocols. Within the game design research field, approaches to studying designs are frequently adapted from standardized player-testing techniques. These often focus on measuring player experience so a design may be evaluated. While such methods provide a useful basis for conducting iterative design studies, these present limitations for researchers seeking to interrogate design approaches outside of conventional assessment models or gameplay paradigms. We discuss these issues through a methodological lens, in the study of WORLD4, a game designed for experiences of ambiguity. Through a two-stage player experience case study we reveal methodological considerations, insights, and highlight disciplinary questions. In doing so we present a contextually aware, time and resource conscious method for conducting remote player studies, useful for game design researchers working outside of labs or investigating alternate design spaces.

HCI is a multidisciplinary field focused on human aspects of the development of computer technology. As computer-based technology becomes increasingly pervasive-not just in developed countries, but worldwide-the need to take a humancentered approach in the design and development of this technology becomes ever more important. For roughly 30 years now, researchers and practitioners in computational and behavioral sciences have worked to identify theory and practice that influences the direction of these technologies, and this diverse work makes up the field of human-computer interaction. Broadly speaking it includes the study of what technology might be able to do for people and how people might interact with the technology. The HCI series publishes books that advance the science and technology of developing systems which are both effective and satisfying for people in a wide variety of contexts. Titles focus on theoretical perspectives (such as formal approaches drawn from a variety of behavioral sciences), practical approaches (such as the techniques for effectively integrating user needs in system development), and social issues (such as the determinants of utility, usability and acceptability).

Journal of Game Technology and Innovation, 2023

Game development is a multidisciplinary field that integrates software engineering, graphic design, storytelling, artificial intelligence, and user experience to create engaging digital experiences. This research explores the core principles, challenges, and innovations in game development, with a focus on contemporary trends such as procedural content generation, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in games. Through a combination of literature review and analysis of recent industry case studies, this study identifies key factors that contribute to successful game development, including iterative design processes, robust project management practices, and the adaptation of user-centered design principles. Additionally, it examines the economic and psychological impacts of games on players, addressing issues like monetization, accessibility, and inclusivity. Findings suggest that successful games rely heavily on continuous player feedback, adaptive gameplay, and meaningful narrative structures. Future research directions are suggested, including the potential of AI to create dynamic, personalized game experiences and the implications of VR and AR on player engagement. This research provides insights for game developers, designers, and researchers aiming to enhance player satisfaction and foster sustainable innovation within the industry.

Simulation & Gaming, 2012

Journal on Interactive Systems, 2020

The gaming industry has grown considerably in the last decades, designing experiences and interactive platforms through games, a popular culture entertainment medium. With the advancement of technologies and user experience design methods, a challenge is faced for the constant improvement of game characteristics aiming to improve pleasurability and immersion perceived by its users. To face this challenge, we designed a conceptual framework named GLIMPSE based on constructs used to evaluate user experiences with games. Its applicability was tested through a questionnaire that collected 241 valid responses from users of gaming forums and communities. An analysis was drawn to identify correlations between the data collected from the questionnaire, and its results revealed significant statistical data highlighting age and gender-wise differences from participants’ opinions.

Human Computer Interaction, 2008

We report research on player modeling using psychophysiology and machine learning, conducted through interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers of computer science, psychology, and game design at Aalto University, Helsinki. First, we propose the Play Patterns And eXperience (PPAX) framework to connect three levels of game experience that previously had remained largely unconnected: game design patterns, the interplay of game context with player personality or tendencies, and state-of-the-art measures of experience (both subjective and non-subjective). Second, we describe our methodology for using machine learning to categorize game events to reveal corresponding patterns, culminating in an example experiment. We discuss the relation between automatically detected event clusters and game design patterns, and provide indications on how to incorporate personality profiles of players in the analysis. This novel interdisciplinary collaboration combines basic psychophysiology research with game design patterns and machine learning, and generates new knowledge about the interplay between game experience and design.

2011

ABSTRACT Player Experience (PX), user experience in the specific context of digital games, is currently a nebulous term with no commonly accepted definition or coherent backing theory. In this paper, a brief overview of the current stateof-the-art of PX knowledge is presented, with a specific emphasis on comparing PX research with the massive amount of knowledge currently being generated about user experience in other areas of HCI, notably productivity applications.