Evaluating computer game concepts with children

  • Authors:

  • Libby Hanna;Denise Neapolitan;Kirsten Risden

  • Affiliations:

  • Hanna Research & Consulting, Seattle WA;Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA;Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 2004 conference on Interaction design and children: building a community
  • Year:
  • 2004

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Abstract

This paper describes exploratory research on how to evaluate concepts for new computer games with small samples of eight- and nine-year-old children. There were two phases to the research, one to validate the methodology with existing games and one to apply the methodology to new game ideas. The results found that separating game ideas (presented as brief written descriptions that were also read aloud to children) from game art (presented on computer screens) elicited the most valid reactions from the children. Rankings and discussion of rationale were more effective than ratings and open-ended questions. Conclusions are that children can effectively evaluate the appeal and potential of game concepts with appropriate methodology.