Playtesting and UsabilityLaajuus (5 cr)
Code: 4A00HB64
Credits
5 op
Objectives
This course provides students with the essential knowledge and practical skills to playtesting and usability.
This course serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of playtesting and usability. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge and skills to:
Understand Playtesting Essentials:
• Comprehend the significance of playtesting in game development.
• Learn to plan and organize playtests for game prototypes and finalized projects.
Implement Iterative Design:
• Apply iterative design principles based on playtest feedback.
• Refine game mechanics, user interfaces, and overall user experience through iterative improvement.
Integrate User Research:
• Understand the role of user research in shaping game design decisions.
• Learn methods for seamlessly integrating user feedback into the design iteration.
Content
Playtesting Fundamentals:
• Understanding the importance of playtesting, planning and organizing effective playtests for various stages of game development, collecting meaningful data and employing analysis techniques.
Game Evaluations:
• Learning to conduct heuristic evaluations to identify and address usability issues
• Applying iterative improvements based on heuristic evaluation findings.
User Research Integration:
• Exploring the role of user research in shaping game design decisions.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)
The student
• perform a usability study and create a checklist for an expert review
• recognize playtesting plan
• recognize test executions and outcome analysis
Assessment criteria, good (3-4)
The student
• discuss and defend study outcomes and pitch about the effectiveness of usability studies
• identify and discuss a suitable user research method
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
The student
• understand heuristic game evaluations, iterate and communicate test results
• understand how to integrate user research into game design process
Enrolment period
09.06.2025 - 14.09.2025
Timing
01.08.2025 - 31.12.2025
Credits
5 op
Virtual portion
3 op
RDI portion
3 op
Mode of delivery
40 % Contact teaching, 60 % Online learning
Unit
Business Information Systems
Campus
TAMK Main Campus
Teaching languages
- English
Degree programmes
- Degree Programme in Business Information Systems
- Bachelor's Degree Programme in Media and Arts
Teachers
- Pasi Pekkanen
- Jan Krebber
Person in charge
Pasi Pekkanen
Groups
-
24MEDIAARTDegree Programme in Media and Arts
-
24TIKOGAME
Objectives (course unit)
This course provides students with the essential knowledge and practical skills to playtesting and usability.
This course serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of playtesting and usability. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge and skills to:
Understand Playtesting Essentials:
• Comprehend the significance of playtesting in game development.
• Learn to plan and organize playtests for game prototypes and finalized projects.
Implement Iterative Design:
• Apply iterative design principles based on playtest feedback.
• Refine game mechanics, user interfaces, and overall user experience through iterative improvement.
Integrate User Research:
• Understand the role of user research in shaping game design decisions.
• Learn methods for seamlessly integrating user feedback into the design iteration.
Content (course unit)
Playtesting Fundamentals:
• Understanding the importance of playtesting, planning and organizing effective playtests for various stages of game development, collecting meaningful data and employing analysis techniques.
Game Evaluations:
• Learning to conduct heuristic evaluations to identify and address usability issues
• Applying iterative improvements based on heuristic evaluation findings.
User Research Integration:
• Exploring the role of user research in shaping game design decisions.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)
The student
• perform a usability study and create a checklist for an expert review
• recognize playtesting plan
• recognize test executions and outcome analysis
Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)
The student
• discuss and defend study outcomes and pitch about the effectiveness of usability studies
• identify and discuss a suitable user research method
Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)
The student
• understand heuristic game evaluations, iterate and communicate test results
• understand how to integrate user research into game design process
Assessment scale
0-5