This document discusses user experience (UX) design considerations for video games. While many standard UX methods like user testing and heuristics apply to games, there are some differences in what is tested (e.g. fun and engagement rather than just usability) and metrics measured (e.g. interest in storyline rather than efficiency). Game UX also focuses more on gameplay challenges than reducing steps. Examples demonstrate how games teach players through level design, feedback, and calls to action rather than just conveying information.

1. UX

2. UX

3. UX
GUX

4. UX
GUX

5. IS GAMES UX DIFFERENT
FROM MAINSTREAM UX?

6. It can be a bit different…

7. But it’s not that different!

8. Methods

9. Focus groups
User Interviews
Field Studies
Quan7ta7ve Research
Market Analysis
Informa7on Architecture
Wireframes
InteracCve Prototypes
FuncConal SpecificaCons
Usability Evalua7on
Heuris7c Evalua7on
User Tes7ng
A/B Tes7ng
Diary Studies
Focus Groups
CogniCve Walkthrough
User Scenarios
Card SorCng
User Journeys
Personas
User Centred Design

10. A few differences

11. What do we test?
Menus and UI Usability
Controls understanding and ease of use
Understanding of the rules
Difficulty balance
Fun and Engagement

12. MulCplayer and full content tests
Eidos Studios, Montréal
Microsoft Studios, Redmond
Player Research, Brighton
Epic Games Studios, Cary
Player Research, Brighton

13. Metrics
Dark Souls II
Pacman
Kingdom Hearts I
Metal Gear Solid I
Flappy Birds
Candy Crush Saga
Darksouls II

14. Metrics
Interest in the storyline (since we last asked)
6.0
6.5 6.3
2.5
4.0
3.5
7.0
6.0
3.0
3.5
5.0
2.6
6.0
Very disinterested
Very interested
Neither interested
nor disinterested
Realism of the storyline
3.9
7.0
3.8 4.0
5.1
3.0
4.3
6.0 6.3
6.8
4.0
4.6 4.9
Very unrealistic
Very realistic
Neither realistic
nor unrealistic
Credits - Strange Morning - Storyboard created by Angel Ly (http://angellydesigns.weebly.com/index.html)

15. Hardware

16. InteracCons

17. HeurisCcs and Best pracCces

18. Let’s talk about games
UI vs Gameplay
Mario Kart 8 - Wii U

19. User Interface
Generally, all UX and Usability best pracAces can be applied to UI
Nielsen’s HeurisAcs ✔
Learnability ✔
Memorability ✔
Efficiency ✔
Error PrevenAon ✔
SaAsfacAon ✔
UAlity ✔

20. What about Gameplay?

21. Not parAcularly trying to reduce the number of steps for
players to reach their objecAve.
A high number of steps can parCcipate in making the
game challenging and saCsfying for the player
Save the princess
Efficiency/Error PrevenCon
Super Mario Bros. - Wii U

22. Fun rather than UClity
Credits - digital.guide (http://digital.guide/top-10-myths-video-games-debunked/20116/)

23. Examples

24. Gestalt Principles/Accessibility
Candy Crush Saga
Use of colours AND shapes to differenCate items

25. Learning/Teaching
Use of a safe space to teach interacAon to the players

26. The Hunter: Will hunt and kill
“lone wolves” or players far from
the team —> Forces players to play
as a team
The Witch: Will aSack if players
gets too close or if she sees some
light —> Forces players to adopt a
stealth approach
The Boomer: If players shoot him,
they will be covered in a liquid that
will aSract a herd of zombies
towards the team —> Forces players
to think before they shoot
Learning/Teaching
Left4Dead

27. Calls to acCon
Players are guided through the use of collecCble objects
Super Mario Bros. - Wii U

28. Calls to acCon
The path is shown to players by Non Playable Characters (NPCs)
Assassin’s Creed 2

29. Life is Strange
Messaging
LiWle pink flowers were placed throughout the game to indicate the path
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

30. Life is Strange
Messaging
Use of white rock like texture to indicate climbable elements
The Witcher III

31. Error PrevenCon
Clash of Clans
Players are asked for confirmaCon before they
spend hard currency

32. Error PrevenCon
Players can’t hurt their teammate even if they shoot them
Destiny

33. Blood stains are displayed on the screen when the player gets hurt
Give feedback/Keep user informed
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

34. Time in the middle of the screen + change in the UI indicator
Give feedback/Keep user informed
The Crew

35. Life is Strange
Give feedback/Keep user informed
Game informs the player that their decision will have a drasCc impact on the rest of the story

36. Match between system & real world
The Crew
Enemy with lighter body armour and no helmet is easier to kill

37. Hot topics

38. Fun and Engagement
EmoAons and Biometrics
VR
NarraAve tesAng
PersonalisaAon of the experience
Free to Play and MoneAsaAon
Hot topics

39. Thanks!