Abstract
The popularity of the relationship between human-computer interaction (HCI) and computer/mobile games is increasing with new technologies. The design and testing processes of these games are a matter of curiosity. This research addresses two fundamental processes: describing a new mobile game design process and testing game elements regarding usability and playability using Heuristic Evaluation for Playability (HEP). The first part of this study presents the design elements of a recently designed real-time strategy puzzle game called The Gardiyan. The game’s primary objectives, characters, storyboard, graphical user interface, rules, and winning conditions are presented through a game treatment document. Game components such as physics, sound, artificial intelligence, narration, and storytelling are explained, as well as gameplay decisions such as difficulty adjustments, balancing, and level design. Different methods are recommended for debugging game design and running tests. The second part of the study covers HEP evaluations and usability tests against miscellaneous game features of 7 players. In the light of these records, HEP categories such as gameplay, story, mechanics, and usability are analyzed, and the usability-gameplay relationship is interpreted to improve the game design.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Game Design, User Testing, Heuristics, Playability, Usability
