User Testing

Purpose

The main purpose of this user test was to gather users feedback of the infinite loop game environment and terrain. We will use the results of the test to make further improvements to the products we have designed.

Process

Our testing process is divided into the following steps:

• Looking for participants to complete our tests.
• Informing the user of all the rules of the game and answering any questions the user may have.
• Design 2-3 tasks for the user. Users manipulate characters in the game to accomplish these tasks. (Use Think Aloud as users complete tasks)
• Record how long it takes users to complete tasks, and observe any problems users encounter during the testing process.
• After the user completes the test, communicate with the user. Collect feedback and suggestions about the game environment and terrain.

Key questions we asked were:

• What are your thoughts about the game environment and terrain?
• What do you like/dislike about terrain or game environment?
• Do you have any questions about the environment and terrain we designed for the infinite loop game?
• Any suggestion for us to improve user experience of game environment and terrain?

Results

User 1:

• Observantions:

  • Once testing started, users quickly got used to the game's patterns and rules. He can skillfully complete the operation in the topographic map of the game.
  • The user completed all tasks accurately in a very short time.

• Thoughts about the game environment and terrain:

  • The design style of the Terrain gives a feeling of relaxation.
  • Terrains are not diverse enough.
  • The Terrain moves at a moderate speed, giving the user enough time to react.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: The terrain style has a good visual effect, and can make the user easy to understand.
  • Dislike: The difficulty of the game is always the same, which can lead to boredom.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Increase the variety of terrain.
  • Adjust the terrain movement rate according to the player's score (the higher the player's score, the faster the terrain moves) to increase the difficulty of the game.

User 2:

• Observantions:

  • The user completed the task accurately in 6 minutes.
  • The user wanted to pause the game while completing the task, but there was no pause button.
  • User enjoyed the game while completing tasks.

• Thoughts about the game environment and terrain:

  • The design style of the game's terrain makes users feel intimate.
  • The game's infinite loop works well.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: The continuous movement of the terrain (rather than the player manipulating the character to move left and right) simplifies the user's steps.
  • Dislike: The user cannot pause the game after it has started, until the game ends or the user presses the exit button.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Add a pause button or shortcut pause button to the Game's Main Game Screen.
  • Increase the complexity of the terrain appropriately.

User 3:

• Observantions:

  • User enjoyed the game.
  • User seemed to like the wooden block design.
  • When the user clicks the start button, the game starts directly. Users didn't react in time. (users didn't realize the game would suddenly start)

• Thoughts about the game environment and terrain:

  • The user liked the design style of the wooden block in the terrain. He thought the style of the block was lovely.
  • User didn't think they have enough time to get ready after clicking to start the game.
  • User thought the game's infinite loop works well.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: User liked the design style of terrain, simple and clear.
  • Dislike: The user believes that if users don't have enough time to prepare for the game, it detract from the overall experience.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • There should be a three-second buffer after the user clicks to start the game. Give the user enough psychological preparation to start the game.

User 4:

• Observantions:

  • User seemed to like the topographic design style.
  • The user completed all the tasks accurately in a short time.

• Thoughts about the game environment and terrain:

  • User thought the game's infinite loop works well.
  • User felt that the difficulty of the game could increase over time.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: User liked the design style of terrain, which made him feel relaxed.
  • Dislike: User felt that the difficulty of the game was always the same and there was no challenge.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Gradually increase the difficulty of the game by changing the speed of the game as the play time increases (or the user scores more).
  • Gradually increase the difficulty of the game by changing the complexity of the terrain as the play time increases (or the user scores increase).

Summary

Most participants completed the task in a very short time. This means that the design style of the game's terrain is simple and clear, and users can get familiar with the terrain in a short time. The game's infinite loop also works smoothly. However, some users reported that the game remained the same difficulty throughout the entire test. This makes the game less challenging and leads to boredom.

Almost all participants said they enjoyed the game. However, there was no buffer time before the game started, and some testers were unable to react to the game after clicking the start button. This reduces the user experience to some extent.

As suggested by the user. The difficulty of the game can be increased depending on the timer or the player's score. This can be changed by adjusting the complexity of the game's terrain and changing the speed of the infinite loop system.

To enhance the user experience, the game's pause button and the buffer time after the game starts also need further design.