Workshop

Abstract

Evaluating player experience is a core competency for game designers and developers, yet many game development curricula and production pipelines treat it as an afterthought to production skills. We propose a hands-on workshop introducing participants to two complementary, player-centered evaluation techniques — heuristic evaluation and the RITE (Rapid Iterative Testing and Evaluation) method — situated within a broader toolkit of UX and game-design evaluation methods spanning the full development lifecycle (concept testing, persona creation, focus groups, and benchmarking, among others). Participants will apply heuristic evaluation and RITE directly to sample game material, gaining practical experience with structured, player-centered evaluation usable during and after development. The workshop targets educators, students, and industry practitioners seeking accessible methods for evaluating game experience throughout the development lifecycle.

Short Biography

Mónica Aresta is an Assistant Researcher at DigiMedia. With a PhD in Multimedia and Education from the University of Aveiro, her research covers communication and digital media, social media, user experience, digital narratives and digital games. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, Computer-Mediated Communication, Technology-Enhanced Learning and Digital Games for Environmental Sustainability. Her research activities are deeply connected to the study on how technology – when seen non-neutral perspective, can provide enriching experiences, enhance human relations, and foster behavioural change.