Evaluating user experiences in games

Abstract

Game players enjoy computer games for their leisure and enjoyment factor, social reasons, the challenge they provide, and to use them as a platform for performance and self expression. However, designing for this kind of user experience is often done intuitively, in a rather ad-hoc fashion and without an appropriate understanding of the criteria, methods, and tools that can guide game designers towards creating a fun or engaging experience. This workshop addresses current needs in the games developers' community and industry to evaluate the overall user experience of games. New forms of interaction techniques, like gestures, eye-tracking and bio-physiological input and feedback have recently been utilized as evaluation methods for an enhanced user experience, but with mixed results. Mostly standard usability evaluation methods, derived from work applications, are used during game development instead. This workshop intends to bring together practitioners and researchers sharing their experiences using conventional and experimental methods to investigate user experience in games.