Contribution to Book
User Testing in the Learning Games Lab: Getting Valuable Feedback Through Frequent Formative Evaluation
Games User Research: A Case Study Approach
(2016)
Abstract
Several logistical issues can make formative testing problematic, such as getting access to testers and Thnding the best location and equipment for the right type of testing. In addition, learning games-also called educational, serious, or transformational games- present additional challenges to user testing. Developers and researchers at New Mexico State University (NMSU) have created a unique program to combat these problems. Researchers offer ongoing, year-round Game Design Think Tanks where testers participate in activities to build their reviewing skills, test games regularly during the design process, engage in a variety of feedback methods, and gain valuable media skills. Through this Learning Games Lab model, professional game developers have easy access to testers at any stage of game development and can build their design intuition through frequent contact with members of the target audience. This case study looks at how the Learning Games Lab operates, including processes for recruiting subjects, collecting data, and sharing that data with the development team.
Keywords
- software design
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
Editor
Miguel Angel Garcia-Ruiz
Publisher
CRC Press
ISBN
9781498706407
Citation Information
Barbara Chamberlin, Jesús Trespalacios, Amy Smith Muise and Michelle Coles Garza. "User Testing in the Learning Games Lab: Getting Valuable Feedback Through Frequent Formative Evaluation" Boca RatonGames User Research: A Case Study Approach (2016) p. 55 - 76 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jesus_trespalacios/24/