fun and usable: making better, more intuitive games
DESCRIPTION
Presented at the CUNY Games Festival in January 2014. Video games are different from other types of software in that people are more accepting of frustrating user interfaces. However, those frustrations can distract players and detract from the fun of the game. How can we learn from user experience (UX) design in order to improve the usability of video games, and how can even the smallest games benefit from UX design practices?TRANSCRIPT
Fun & UsableMaking Better, More Intuitive Games
#UXinGames
Catt Small @cattsmall
I am Catt Small and I like video games
O hai!
#UXinGames
I’m a UX designer
#UXinGames
I’m a teacher
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I’m a game maker
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UX?!
Jurassic Park
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People & machines
#UXinGames
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Good UX helps people to
Get things doneEfficiently and painlessly
Jurassic Park
Tii Shirt
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Removes friction
Good UX Design increases satisfaction
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Dots Game, © Betaworks SpellTower © Zach Gage
Good UX Design gets your game noticed
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Good UX Design has ROI
Common frustrations in games
Jurassic Park
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Poor onboardingWhat key is the “Evert button”?
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Eversion, © Zaratustra Productions
Inconsistent interactionsWhy don’t I die? Why don’t I hurt enemies?
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Spelunky, © Mossmouth, LLC
Mazes of menusHow am I supposed to find anything?
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Dota 2, © Valve
Correcting bad UX
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TEST
DESIGN BUILD
Discovery interviews
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Interviews help you
Find an audienceFor your game
The design document
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Design documents help you
Define the visionFor your game
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What is my game about?
What is my game’s core mechanic?
How should my game feel?
Prototyping
UX Design & You
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Prototyping helps you
Test hypothesesWithout wasting time
Pseudo-code programs
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GameMaker Studio, © Yoyo Games
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Construct 2, © Scirra
Usability testing
UX Design & You
#UXinGames
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Usability testing helps to
Identify problemsWith UX in your game
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Bring your game with you
EVERYWHERE
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FIVE
Are all you needPEOPLE
#UXinGames
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DOCUMENT ALL
You won’t regret it.THE THINGS!
Until you feel satisfied with your game
Rinse & repeat
TEST
DESIGN BUILD
Observe good designGet inspired by others.
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Criticism is necessaryHumility is important.
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UX is your friend!Persevere and you’ll succeed.
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Thank you!Questions?
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Tweet me @cattsmall.