Changeable background & Buffer time testing

User Testing

Purpose

The main purpose of this user test was to gather users feedback of the main game background and the buffer time. 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 their behaviours during the test, 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.

Main Tasks

• Survive the game for 30 seconds.
• Five medical kits were successfully located and picked up.
• After the game starts successfully pick up the first item or successfully avoid the first obstacle.

Key questions we asked were:

• Do you think the design style of the background fits the game ？
• Do you think the background image will affect your game experience? (The color of the background image is similar to the color of the game interface, making the game interface hard to see)
• What do you like/dislike about game background or design of buffer time?
• Do you have any questions or idea about the game environment, changeable background and buffer time we designed for the infinite loop game?

Results

User 1:

• Answer:

  • Yes, the background image fits the pixel style of the game.
  • A little bit. The background is dark, and the obstacles are dark. As a result, I could not see the position of some obstacles clearly.
  • I like the design style of the background of the game, it looks lovely. However, the dark background of the game will make some obstacles in the game hard to see, affecting the visual effect of the game.
  • I think it would be better to lower the brightness or change the color of the background image.

• Observantions:

  • The user successfully completed all tasks in a short time.
  • Users seem to be having some trouble avoiding obstacles. (Some hesitation)

• Thoughts about the changeable background and buffer time:

  • The design style of the game's background makes users feel satisfied.
  • Users think the background image is cute.
  • Dark background images will affect the user's vision to some extent.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: Background image design style.
  • Dislike: Nothing to dislike, just the colour of the background image needs to be adjusted a little bit.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Change the background image colour to light.

User 2:

• Answer:

  • Of course, the design style of the background image fits the overall design style of the game.
  • I don't think it affected my game experience. I can see every part of the game very clearly.
  • I like the design of buffer time, it gives me enough preparation to start the game. The background design style is also very nice.
  • It would be better to design the timer in the buffer time in pixel style as well.

• Observantions:

  • The user completed all the tasks accurately in a very short time. As we can see, the user did it quite easily.
  • The user easily dodged all the obstacles and got a high score.
  • It makes good use of the buffer time after the user clicks the start button. Users have a good psychological preparation for the beginning of the game, and easily avoid the first obstacle after the beginning of the game.
  • We can see that the user is very familiar with the rules of the game

• Thoughts about the changeable background and buffer time:

  • The background image is designed to make the user feel satisfied and relaxed.
  • Buffer time is designed to allow users enough time to prepare. Be able to react immediately after the game starts.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: 1. The background image is designed to make the user feel relaxed. 2. The user thinks the buffer time design gives him a better experience of the game.
  • Dislike: There is nothing to dislike.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Change the buffer time timer to a pixel design style

User 3:

• Answer:

  • The design style of the background image fits the pixel style of the game.
  • Yeah, a little bit, the background graphics sometimes make it hard for me to see the game.
  • I like the moveable background, it's interesting.
  • I think you can adjust the colour of the background image.

• Observantions:

  • The user successfully completed the first and third tasks.
  • After the game starts, the user fails to avoid the first obstacle.
  • We found that users sometimes got stuck while avoiding obstacles and picking up medical kits. This is probably because background images make it difficult for users to recognise obstacles in the game.

• Thoughts about the changeable background and buffer time:

  • The background image is a bit dark. The user may not be able to see obstacles clearly.
  • Changeable background is very interesting.
  • The three-second buffer time may be a bit short for some users.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: Changeable background images are very interesting.
  • Dislike: Dark background image colour.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Change the colour of the background image.
  • Change the buffer time from three seconds to five seconds.

User 4:

• Answer:

  • I think the design style of the background image fits very well with the overall design style of the game, and looks very relaxing.
  • I think it affects the visual experience a little bit, but it doesn't affect the overall experience of the game.
  • I think the timing change is very clever, it reminds me that the game is going to start soon, so I'm mentally prepared.
  • It would be more appropriate to change the buffer time timer to a pixel style.

• Observantions:

  • The user successfully completed three tasks.
  • In the course of playing the game, the user touched three obstacles, causing HP to drop.

• Thoughts about the changeable background and buffer time:

  • The design of the background image may affect the user's perception of obstacles. User thinks buffer time design is necessary.

• Likes/Dislikes:

  • Like: The buffer time.
  • Dislike: Nothing to dislike.

• General Comments/Suggestions:

  • Change the buffer time timer to pixel style.

Summary

Most of the participants gave positive feedback to our design. Users agreed that the design style of the background image was very pixel friendly and they also agreed the changeable Background design is interesting. Buffer time is designed to give users a better gaming experience. A 5-second buffer time gives the user enough time to prepare. And remind the user that the game is about to start. In general, the task of our design has been affirmed by users.

According to the results of the survey, more than half of the testers thought the colour of background image was dark. This may affect the user's judgment of obstacles or items to pick up in the game, so we need to change the colour of the background image in time. Make sure the user doesn't experience the game any less.

Some users suggested in the survey that the buffer time should change the design style of timer to pixel style. They believe that all components in a game should be designed in the same way.