How User Research Helps Deliver Successful Games Graham ... · Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research...
Transcript of How User Research Helps Deliver Successful Games Graham ... · Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research...
How User Research Helps Deliver Successful GamesGraham McAllister - @grmcall - @playerresearch
THE GAME SPACE
Rating
Reve
nue
Bad Games, Poor Revenue
Good Games, Poor Revenue
Bad Games, Good Revenue
Good Games, Good Revenue
THE GAME SPACE
Rating
Reve
nue
Bad Games, Poor Revenue
Good Games, Poor Revenue
Bad Games, Good Revenue
Good Games, Good Revenue
THE GAME SPACE
THE GAME SPACE
THE GAME SPACE
Rating
Reve
nue
Bad Games, Poor Revenue
Good Games, Poor Revenue
Bad Games, Good Revenue
Good Games, Good Revenue
THE GAME SPACE
THE GAME SPACE
Rating
Reve
nue
Bad Games, Poor Revenue
Good Games, Poor Revenue
Bad Games, Good Revenue
Good Games, Good Revenue
THE GAME SPACE
Insert your own thoughts here
(you can tell me a:erwards)
THE GAME SPACE
Rating
Reve
nue
Bad Games, Poor Revenue
Good Games, Poor Revenue
Bad Games, Good Revenue
Good Games, Good Revenue
THE GAME SPACE
100 GAME ANALYSIS
100 games
9 gu
idel
ines
ALL players will almost certainly abandon the game
Many players will abandon the game
SaFsfactory, but could be improved
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
What if you could stop these issues occurring?
A USER RESEARCH PROCESS
ProducFonDesignConcept So:-launch Launch
Firs
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dbac
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The problem with game development - tesFng assumpFons
Firs
t fee
dbac
k?
Firs
t fee
dbac
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Firs
t fee
dbac
k?
GETTING PLAYER FEEDBACK
ProducFonDesignConcept So:-launch Launch
Usab
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Enga
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What if you can get feedback throughout development?
USER RESEARCH
Games User research is the process of helping developers see their game from the perspec.ve of
the player
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
INTEREST
There are three important factors to consider:
1. Is the game concept appealing for your target audience?
2. The implementa.on has to offer a great player experience.
3. The player should want to spend in your game as it’ll improve the experience.
Potential Audience
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
INTEREST
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
INTEREST
Potential Audience Potential Audience
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
INTEREST
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
INTEREST
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL GAME?
IdenFfying the origin of the problem
Problems
Understanding
Usability
Player Experience
Mone.sa.on
Weaknesses
Player Path
Interest
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE
ProducFonDesignConcept So:-launch Launch
Usab
ility
Expe
rt Ev
alua
Fon
Colla
bora
Fve
UI D
esig
nU
I Exp
ert E
valu
aFon
Com
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or A
naly
sis
Itera
Fve
Play
tesF
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Enga
gem
ent D
iary
Inte
racF
on A
naly
sis
So:-
laun
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layte
sFng
Unde
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nd p
layer
s
Anal
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+ u
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esea
rch
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
INTEREST
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - CONCEPT TESTING
Concept Tes.ng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Concept TesFng
Compe.tor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - INTERACTION ANALYSIS
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - UI EVALUATION
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - EXPERT EVALUATION
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - PLAYTESTING
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - ENGAGEMENT DIARY
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - SOFT LAUNCH / LAUNCH
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE
Concept TesFng
CompeFtor Analysis
InteracFon Analysis
CollaboraFve UI Design
UI Expert EvaluaFon
Usability Expert EvaluaFon
PlaytesFng
Engagement Diary
So: Launch PlaytesFng
Ongoing AnalyFcs + User Research
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
EXAMPLE REPORT
STUDIOS WE WORK WITH
GAMES WE’VE WORKED ON
iOS games featured70+
FRONT PAGEon the Apple App Store
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - ENGAGEMENT DIARY
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE - SOFT LAUNCH / LAUNCH
60 day LTV curves from MMX Racing Q3 2014
Q. What was the biggest contributor to the increase in LTV?
1. Loads more content 2. Tutorial redesign 3. Rebalanced economy
A. Tutorial redesign - 30%
14%30%
9%
DaysRe
venu
e
EXAMPLE 4
EXAMPLE 5
POLISHING THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE
ProducFonDesignConcept So:-launch Launch
Usab
ility
Expe
rt Ev
alua
Fon
Colla
bora
Fve
UI D
esig
nU
I Exp
ert E
valu
aFon
Com
peFt
or A
naly
sis
Itera
Fve
Play
tesF
ng
Enga
gem
ent D
iary
Inte
racF
on A
naly
sis
So:-
laun
ch P
layte
sFng
Unde
rsta
nd p
layer
s
Anal
yFcs
+ u
ser r
esea
rch
MONETISATION
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
USABILITY
UNDERSTANDING
INTEREST