Playability research
Why research?
Research exposes the strong and weak spots in your game. This helps you to develop and focus more efficiently, so you come up with a better game. How do we do this? During the development process, the end user tests your game, and afterwards we advise you on areas for improvement.
Questions arise all the time, before, during and after creating a game: Will it be fun? Is it better than other games? Is the interface clear? Intuitive? What do they think of the game play? How can I see to it that people get involved immediately? How do I raise immersion?
Viewing behaviour (orange dots and lines) in a game and the menu is made clear using our eyetracker.
A game test answers these questions. Our research procedure in a nutshell: We select gamers from your target group and get them to play your game in our game lab. We observe, measure and interview in the meantime. The test leads to a report or workshop with findings, issues and specific recommendations as to how and where things could be improved. This all gives you something to go by when developing, so your game fits what your gamers want.
What does research actually involve?
The research is attuned to your game, your options and desires. A research takes around five to ten working days from start to finish. It proceeds as follows:
What do we want to test?
Together we look at aspects of the game where there is uncertainty and discussion. These could be the general impression, interface issues, different versions of one level etc. The research questions emerging from this are the basis of the test.
People can game in peace in our game lab. We observe them via the camera and microphone. And Sonic.
The right gamers
Together we determine the profile of your gamer. We select a number of testers who very specifically fit this profile, from our database.
The game test
You are most welcome to follow the research live at our lab: Seeing is believing. You’ll get to know your target group better, see how they game, where they get stuck and what they say. Very confronting but above all, educational.
The testers play your game in our game lab, while we record the research questions and the game experience. To do this, we examine eye movements, heartbeat, levels of perspiration and game behaviour. After gaming, there is a questionnaire to gauge experience, opinion and suggestions.
Facial expression and heart rate variability are good indicators of the player experience.
After the test: workshop or report
We write a report or we hold a workshop after the research. We present our findings during a workshop and we brainstorm along with you to arrive at the best solution. The report contains our findings on paper, as well as exhaustive practical recommendations for improvement.
What does it cost?
A test costs 3.000 to 10.000 euro depending on the design, the number of gamers and the report or workshop. Naturally, we can discuss and adjust anything according to your wishes and options.
Want to know more?
Feel free to call valsplat: +31 20 330 54 54 or send us an email.
