GAMES 3040 - Intro to Games User Research

This course is designed to introduce students to games user research and playtesting. Students will learn how to test games, which includes selecting a method, generating data, and communicating feedback to development teams. The class has a theoretical background in sociological, anthropological, and psychological research methods. This is a hands-on, practical class which works best if you pair with a team making a game in live development. The class structure consists of lectures and workshops. Lectures introduce topics or research methods, and workshops give students an opportunity to practice the method in small groups. Successful completion of the course will result in a portfolio of games user research demonstrating knowledge of research methods, data literacy, and findings contextualized and informed by current markets and the gaming industry.