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This book offers a comprehensive and practical guide to Games User Research (GUR). Blending theory and hands-on experience, it walks readers through methods, tools, and techniques tailored to the real-world constraints of small and medium-sized game development studios to support them in delivering better player experiences.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one introduces core concepts to game development, and explores gameplay experience, together with factors that influence player behaviour and decisions. The part ends by exploring the games user researcher's role and its common challenges. Next, part two presents readers with a 10-step end-to-end research process for a single study. From understanding stakeholders, designing methods, through recruiting participants, moderating sessions and analysing results, to delivering actionable insights. It provides guidance, real-life examples, and templates for integrating research in the game development practices, even when the budget and timeline are tight. Finally, part three provide readers with ready-to-use "recipes" for 10 research methods covering every phase of the game production cycle. Each recipe includes practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and actual report excerpts.
Whether you're an indie developer wanting to better understand your players, UX designer or researcher moving from application software to the world of games, this book will provide you with all the information on how to use research to gain the insights needed to create better player experiences.
List of contents
Introduction, Part 1: User Research for Games, 1. What is a game, actually?, 2. Player experience, 3. What is our role, then?, Part 2. A 10-step recipe for a single study, 4. Understanding what's on the menu - Selected methods overview, 5. Getting to know your guests - Stakeholder mapping, 6. Taking order - Requirements gathering & kick-off meeting, 7. Checking the pots at your disposal - Gathering Assets, 8. Selecting & preparing utensils - Methods & Tools, 9. Organizing kitchen - Setting & Pilot Study, 10. Gathering essentials - Participants Recruitment, 11. Slicing & Dicing - Moderating research sessions, 12. Cooking time! - Analyzing results, 13. Composing & Serving the Dish - Reporting & Debriefing, Part 3. A recipe list - Selected methods within production cycle, 14. Competitor Analysis, 15. Concept Test, 16. Expert analysis, 17. (Co)design Workshop, 18. Team Play Session (or Review), 19. Usability (play)test, 20. Component playtest, 21. Experience playtest, 22. Diary Study, 23. Review analysis
Summary
This book offers a comprehensive and practical guide to Games User Research (GUR). Blending theory and hands-on experience, it walks readers through methods, tools, and techniques tailored to the real-world constraints of small and medium-sized game development studios to support them in delivering better player experiences.
