106818 - PLAYTESTING APPLIED TO VIDEOGAME DESIGN

Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Adso Fernández Baena

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 6

The subject of Playtesting applied to video game design seeks to delve into the theoretical concepts and practical application of video game playtesting in the framework of the subject of Game Design and Creation. It works from the scientific perspective of testing the experience of players with video games. The subject consists of theoretical sessions and team work sessions. In order to acquire the knowledge, the subject is evaluated on the one hand the realization of guided practices and the achievement of a project in group, and on the other the theoretical knowledge of individual way.

This subject has methodological and digital resources to make possible its continuity in non-contact mode in the case of being necessary for reasons related to the Covid-19. In this way, the achievement of the same knowledge and skills that are specified in this teaching plan will be ensured.

At the end of the course students must be able to:

E1.6. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a video game in a reasoned and exemplary way.

E3.1. Describe the type of player for whom the game is designed.

E5.2 Effectively communicate the project specifications to the team of artists and developers and other members

The subject uses the following work methodologies:

Master class, presentations, video capsules, debates and forums, case studies, collaborative learning, research and critical reading of articles, and small group laboratory.

Topic 0. Introduction

0.1 Introduction to Playtesting

0.2 Playtesters

Topic 1. Scientific method and Games User Research (GUR)

1.1 Scientific method

1.2 GUR methods

1.3 Create a GUR method

Item 2. Heuristics

2.1 What is a heuristic?

2.2 Heuristic evaluation

2.3 PLAY and GAP heuristics

Topic 3. Playtesting

4.1 Playtesting

4.2 Think-Aloud Playtesting

4.3 Questionnaires and interviews

4.4 Reports

With the aim of collecting evidence of the achievement of the expected learning outcomes, the following activities of an evaluative nature will be carried out (related to all the common competences):

A1. Laboratory practice: Heuristics (Evidence of learning outcome E1.6 and E3.1)

This practice is done individually or in pairs and consists of performing various heuristic assessments in commercial games using different sets of heuristics.

A2. Group work: Playtesting (Evidence of all learning outcomes)

This work is done in groups of 2 to 4 people. It consists of choosing a commercial game, creating a test plan and running it with playtesters. The test plan will be ad hoc to the commercial game and its objectives. It is mandatory to use several GUR methods from those explained in class. The number of playtesters for each work will be agreed with the teacher taking into account the objectives of the test.

A3. Final exam (Evidence of all learning outcomes)

General criteria of the activities:

• The teacher will present a statement for each activity and the evaluation and / or rubric criteria.
• The teacher will inform of the dates and format of the delivery of the activity.

The grade of each student will be calculated following the following percentages:

A1. Laboratory practice: Heuristics 30%

A2. Group work: Playtesting 40%

A3. Final exam 30%

Final grade = A1 0,3 + A2 0,4 + A3 0,3

Considerations:

• You must obtain a grade higher than 5 in the final exam to pass the subject.
• An activity not delivered or delivered late and without justification (court summons or medical matter) counts as a 0.
• It is the responsibility of the student to prevent plagiarism in all its forms. In the case of detecting a plagiarism, regardless of its scope, in some activity it will correspond to have a note of 0. In addition, the professor will communicate to the Head of Studies the situation so that measures applicable in matter of sanctioning regime are taken. .

Recovery:

• It is necessary to obtain a mark superior to 5 in the final exam of recovery to pass the asignatura.
• The mark of the resit exam will be applied only to the mark of the A3 activity.
• In case of suspension of the A2 activity, it can be re-delivered in a call for recovery with the possibility of obtaining a maximum grade of 5.

Drachen, A., Mirza-Babaei, P., & Nacke, LE (Eds.). (2018). Games user research. Oxford University Press.

Schell, J. (2014). The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses. AK Peters / CRC Press.

Fullerton, T. (2018). Game design workshop: a playcentric approach to creating innovative games. AK Peters / CRC Press.