Design for Results: Considerations for experimental prototyping and play testing using iterative game design

Mirjam P Eladhari

Elina M.I. Ollila

Overview

• Motivation

• Prototypes

• Play-tests

• Obtaining Data

• Discussion

Motivation

• Toolbox

• Discussion

• Scope

navigational aid in the wicked problem-space of game design

‘if game studies is limited to analysing existing games and design spaces, it can be problematic to imagine or theorise about potential game features outside of these design spaces. Models about the nature of games and their features run the risk of being incomplete or wrong, simply because certain design spaces have not yet been explored”

Prototypes

a prototype is anything that can be interacted with and demonstrate how a system works. Also, the prototypes are usually disposable

• Prototyping by acting and showing

• Paper or physical prototypes

• Computationally aided physical prototypes (please suggest a better term! )

• Software Prototypes

Play-tests

Obtaining Data

Example of a Production Cycle

(for a digital prototype)1. consideration of type of prototypes needed depending on research question;

2. early design (design process continuing throughout iteration cycles) -- body storming, video scenarios;

3. collect feedback, redesign;

4. physical/mixed prototyping and scenario design;

5. play test;

6. data analysis;

7. interpretation and potential dissemination;

8. reiteration of design for software prototype;

9. implementation of software prototype;

10. quality assurance of prototype;

11. design of test scenarios;

12. play test;

13. data analysis;

14. interpretation and potential dissemination.

POINT

Feedback/ Discussion

• Group xp of:

• Prototypes

• Play-tests

• Obtaining Data

• What did we miss?

• Opinions? Ideas?

END