Sprint 3: User Testing Level 1 Assets

Methodology

Overview

Level 1 user testing will be completed in such a way as to determine and ensure whether each and every element present can be correctly interpreted by user(s). Additionally, users were asked to identify each element without prior knowledge of what the element is. After this, the subjective opinions of the player(s) regarding assets in Level 1 will be requested and recorded.

Justification

Creating coherent and pleasing assets is important for: enhancing preliminary user experience (first-impressions), intuitiveness and incentivize prolonged gameplay. Level 1 is considered to be the most important level in the game on a user experience level since it's the first level and hence serves as a gateway to the following levels. Therefore, if the player decides to leave the game prior to completing Level 1, it follows that they'll also not complete the other levels of the game.

Testing Process (Design)

User Brief

Prior to testing, players are briefed regarding the background and basic mechanics of the game. Care is taken to ensure this information does not lead users towards confirmation bias or preconceived inferences.

User Tasks

The tasks that must be performed by the subjects are as follows:

• Subjectively comment on what they thought of the assets.

Testing

Buildings

This subjects were subjected to the following image, the results are as follows: https://github.com/UQdeco2800/2021-studio-6/raw/S3T5-Task/Level1/source/core/assets/images/level_1/building3-day1-latest.png

What do you think of this image?

• Subject A: It looks neat, but the (red) building looks too clean and fresh compared to the blue building. The blue building looks good and matches the theme.
• Subject B: Unlike the blue building, the red building’s design looks rather rigid

Dead Tree

This subjects were subjected to the following image, the results are as follows:
https://github.com/UQdeco2800/2021-studio-6/raw/main/source/core/assets/images/level_1/dead_tree1-day1-latest.png

What do you think of this image?

• Subject A: Trees are very detailed looking compared to the buildings, I like the shadows on tree. It matches the theme of the top-down.
• Subject B: Well, it kind of looks like a bush. But it looks really detailed.

Street Lamp

This subjects were subjected to the following image, the results are as follows:
https://github.com/UQdeco2800/2021-studio-6/raw/main/source/core/assets/images/level_1/street_lamp.png

What do you think of this image?

• Subject A: The perspective is a bit off. The top part is a bit off and it doesn't look right.
• Subject B: Too cartoonish.

Background Music

This subjects were subjected to the following soundtrack, the results are as follows:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/UQdeco2800/2021-studio-6/5a3196af2cc4695fdb88bcdde33581b25168529d/source/core/assets/sounds/fireflies-theme-sneak.mp3

What do you think of this soundtrack?

• Subject A: Very good, matches the atmosphere of the game. Good repetition. Sounds like the player is sneaking around the level due to the violin plucking sound.
• Subject B: Honestly, it sounds good but I honestly think it could be better if was creepier. Maybe better if it's more intense.

Evaluation of Results

Common Issues & General Options for improvement:

• Building type 3 is "too clean", since it lacks the moss and damage inherent to Building type 2.
• Streetlamp is a bit too cartoonish and the perspective is a bit off.
• Assets can be more representative, tree looking more like a tree than a bush.
• Music can be slightly more intense.

Currently Actionable Improvements:

• Fixing the perspective of the street lamp.
• Building type 3 is to be "broken down" slightly more such that it's consistent with the design of building type 2.

Testing Process (Mechanics)

Difficulty Balancing

Level 1 Enemy Layout Testing