Protocol Explanation

This user testing protocol aims to understand better how the users will perceive the visualisation of the “buff” and “debuff”. It is also essential to consider how the “buff” and “debuff” fit within the game's story. Particularly how fire and water “buff” and “debuff” may differ in meaning considering this game’s story, i.e. fire damage could be a debuff since it burned water, potentially weakening the Atlanteans. Therefore, as part of the protocol, the questions are aimed at the element fire and water for the “buff” and “debuff” functionality.

Protocol Guide

This user testing protocol adopts an interview-style form of testing with a semi-structured format to allow flexibility within the interview. This leaves more room for the interviewer to collect additional qualitative data points and ask more probing questions. Interviewees should have at least a basic understanding of games involving “buffs” and “debuffs”. This provides better background insight and knowledge into the problems we are trying to resolve. It also ensures we are targeting the intended user group.

Questions:

1. Imagine you are a player in a video game where your goal is to sink a city. What concept do you think would enhance your weapon?
2. Tell me about a time when you played a video game with the element of fire.
3. Tell me how you perceive fire within a gaming scenario.
4. Tell me about a time when you played a video game with the element of water.
5. Tell me how you perceive water within a gaming scenario.

Author:

• Nisha Vashist
• GitHub: @nishavashist0
• Discord: nishavashist#4270
• Slack: Nisha Vashist