Enhancing Game Usability: A Framework for Small-to-Medium-Sized Game Development Businesses

Abstract

The field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research has developed numerous procedures and techniques to ensure high usability when developing software. Usability in video games is also considered to be important, so it is crucial to ensure that game systems comply with usability standards. However, research has overlooked software development, specifically the stage of game development. Additionally, large gaming firms and game developers tend to keep their procedures and techniques secret. Professional reports have revealed the "ugly face" of the gaming industry. Bangladesh's slowly expanding game development sector comprises a significant number of small-to-medium-sized businesses and start-ups. These businesses require practical, developer-centric solutions to guarantee usability as they may lack the funds to engage usability specialists to oversee it. This article discusses the concept of game usability, including current research on usability techniques for game production. The literature included in this study had to meet the following requirements: (1) focused on gaming applications, including websites, PC software, smartphone, and tablet applications; (2) provided information about the usability of the application; and (3) provided experimental evidence of usability testing. The study involved conducting polls, heuristic scoring studies, and speaking with several game developers. Twelve usability heuristics were created based on the Nielsen usability technique and the stages of game software development, which help in preventing typical usability problems in games. A preliminary analysis of the heuristics indicates that they can assist in identifying game-specific usability problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.