The Game UX Podcast

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Episodes

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The Game UX Podcast

The Game UX Editors•gurbook.com

Games UX is the science behind making better games. In this podcast, the editors of The Games User Research book discuss how to make games better, how to help UX researchers improve their practice, provide insights for academics to conduct user research in games, how to become a user researcher for games, and how the GUR community can benefit everyone making games. → Our book, packed with information about games user research, will help you become a better games user researcher and will serve you as a handbook for years to come: http://mybook.to/gurbook

Episodes

Using AI for Game UX Research: Future Possibilities (Episode 12)

In this episode, we discuss the rapidly evolving field of AI and machine learning, exploring its implications for user experience (UX) research in gaming. Discussing its use in market research, user communication data collection, and more, we take an optimistic look at its potential while acknowledging ethical considerations. We also ponder the future of AI in generating adaptive surveys, game assessments, and empathetic player feedback analysis. Listen to this episode as we explore diverse view...

Jan 02, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Evolving UX in Gaming: Adapting to Player Diversity (Episode 11)

In this episode of our podcast, we go in-depth into the challenges and complexities of UX research, particularly within the gaming industry. We discuss the diversity among games and gamers worldwide and how UX researchers can connect different game features with various player groups. We also delve into the adaptation of methodologies, including AI tools in research, the impact of cultural sensitivities, and the necessity of agility and continual learning in this dynamic industry. This episode i...

Dec 06, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Reliability and Validity in Game UX (Episode 10)

This podcast episode discusses the importance of data reliability and validity in making informed decisions. We touch on quantitative and qualitative data and highlight the need to ensure that the collected data is relevant to the research question and is valid and reliable.

Oct 27, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Motivation in Games and UX Research (Episode 9)

What makes video games fun and keeps us playing them? In this podcast episode, we discuss what motivates people to play video games. Motivation is essential in games. If players aren't motivated, they won't play the game. Game designers have many years of experience using different tricks to motivate players. Some examples are rewards, scores, levels, stories, and playing with friends. We discuss how some games today use techniques to get players to spend more money on things like battle...

Sep 24, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The Impact of Games UX and Well-being (Episode 8)

During this episode, Anders and Lennart talk about free-to-play and "pay-to-play" game designs. They discuss consumer feedback and how to avoid deceiving players into unfavourable behaviour. Besides that, the conversation goes into how games foster both positive and negative behaviours. It also discusses the need for longitudinal studies comparing games to other media forms to really understand their impact. The idea of introducing new rating systems is also discussed, which would give...

Aug 22, 2023•32 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast

The Playtest Process with Steve Bromley (Episode 7)

In this seventh episode of the Game UX Podcast (formerly the Games User Research Book podcast, yes we have a new name), we welcome Steve Bromley, an industry veteran to explore the evolution of user research in the gaming industry and its recent adoption by big AAA companies. Learn how to make the best of both worlds in this episode. Steve shares his journey to becoming a user researcher, highlighting opportunities for game expansion and challenges for game scientists. In addition to interdiscip...

Jul 17, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 6: The Impact of Games User Research

How do you measure the impact of user research? Is it in the improvement of the user experience, or in the number of sold units? Do either of these measures make sense in a world of persistent games? And what about academic user research - does it have any impact on how games are made - and should it? In this episode, we talk about how games user research influences games and maybe even society.

Oct 25, 2022•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 5: Things to consider when you want to be a Games User Researcher

There is not just one road to becoming a games user researcher; instead, we seem to be coming from various backgrounds. However, a shared trait across everyone in the field is the passion for creating the best possible user experience and the conviction to stand up for science and what it tells us about our games - whether positive or negative.    In this episode, we talk about the sometimes twisty road we need to walk to work with user research and games.   → When you're ready, w...

Oct 04, 2022•30 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 4: Reporting the Results of User Research

You have run the user sessions, analyzed the interviews, visualized the telemetry and are now ready to report your findings to the team. But how do you do this in a way that makes your research relevant and help your colleagues take action on the findings you are presenting? When you're ready, we have a book packed with information about games user research that can help you become a better games user researcher and will serve you as a handbook for years to come: gurbook.com or → For at 30% disc...

Jul 29, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 3: Common challenges in GUR

How do we get from research questions to figure out the actual research?

Jul 22, 2022•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 2 - Benefits of industry and academia collaboration

In this video, we talk about how academic and industry collaborations unfold with games user research studios and draw from our experience working with industry partners on these collaborations.   → When you're ready, we have a book packed with information about games user research that can help you become a better games user researcher and will serve you as a handbook for years to come: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/games-user-research-9780198794844/?promocode=ASPROMP8 (30% off w...

May 27, 2022•36 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

Episode 1: Player Experience Perspectives

When you play a game, something happens. You might be feeling elated, frustrated, engaged, furious, whimsical. Your heart rate might go up, and your sweat glands activate. Alpha- and beta-waves firing in your brain. You are having an experience. The user experience we get from playing games is called "playing experience", and it is the alpha and omega in games user research - or "GUR" - which exists to ensure that players experience games in the way the designers expect them to. However, as impo...

Apr 11, 2022•32 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast