Applying usability testing methods into game development : case Casters of Kalderon
Pasanen, Panu (2016-05-23)
P. Pasanen
23.05.2016
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201606032208
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201606032208
Tiivistelmä
Small game development companies don’t nessecarily have strict prodecures or methods when it comes to testing their product. This was the case with the Oulu based game company Meizi Games, who felt the need to conduct a testing activity for their still developed game, Casters of Kalderon.
Casters of Kalderon was tested through conducting usability testing in order to find out the issues it currently has. These issues would be communicated to the developers by conducting the testing with potential customers eg. People who play mobile games. The testing activities were observed and feedback was gathered, and the results were delivered to and discussed with the developers of the game.
As Casters of Kalderon is a relatively complex strategy game, the biggest usability issue it has is the lacking in introducing the game’s many mechanics to new players. The game currently has a tutorial mechanism that aims to help the player get familiar with the game, but it is currently poorly implemented, as the test results show. This would often cause confusion and frustration in the testers, who had no previous experience with the game. There were also some usability related issues that came in the way of the players being able to enjoy the game.
Game developers need to pay close attention to the designing of tutorials for complex games, like this case. Meizi Games found the usability testing activities to be a feasible way to find out the flaws and issues in their game, and promised to work on the found issues to improve the game in the future.
Casters of Kalderon was tested through conducting usability testing in order to find out the issues it currently has. These issues would be communicated to the developers by conducting the testing with potential customers eg. People who play mobile games. The testing activities were observed and feedback was gathered, and the results were delivered to and discussed with the developers of the game.
As Casters of Kalderon is a relatively complex strategy game, the biggest usability issue it has is the lacking in introducing the game’s many mechanics to new players. The game currently has a tutorial mechanism that aims to help the player get familiar with the game, but it is currently poorly implemented, as the test results show. This would often cause confusion and frustration in the testers, who had no previous experience with the game. There were also some usability related issues that came in the way of the players being able to enjoy the game.
Game developers need to pay close attention to the designing of tutorials for complex games, like this case. Meizi Games found the usability testing activities to be a feasible way to find out the flaws and issues in their game, and promised to work on the found issues to improve the game in the future.
Kokoelmat
- Avoin saatavuus [30006]