Stamina Bar User Testing

Purpose

The purpose of this user test is to collect user feedback on the functionality and visual design of the player stamina bar. The main aspects for testing are

• how the stamina bar looks (colour, contrast, theme, shape, size)
• is the speed at which the bar slides appropriate

Method

The steps we did to run the user testing:

1. Start the game.
2. Enter the game screen.
3. Hold SHIFT to start running.
4. Ask users to observe the movement of the stamina bar.
5. Ask users our key questions.

Interview Questions

1. Does the stamina bar suit our overall retro game theme?
2. What are your thoughts about the colour and contrast of the stamina bar?
3. Is the shape and size of the bar appropriate?
4. What are your thoughts about the smoothness and speed at which the stamina bar slides?

Results and Analysis

Before using the custom designed bar

User 1:

• The stamina bar looks very generic and does not go too well with the retro game theme
• The size is a bit small and the shape is very boxy, the green part blends into the background and is hard to see.
• The movement of the stamina bar is very smooth, but it the speed is too fast, player depletes and regenerates stamina too quickly.

User 2:

• The stamina bar looks pretty boring. Does not suit the game theme.
• There is high contrast between the red and green section of the bar. However, it is a bit hard to see when the game background is grass.
• The size is ok, but can be bigger.
• The stamina changes too quickly, animation is smooth though.

After using the custom designed bar

User 3:

• The colour choice of the stamina bar really brings out the 70-80’s retro theme.
• The pink and purple goes well together and has nice contrast. The bar stands out from the background and is easy to read. The white frame makes it much easier to differentiate the bar from the background.
• The size is good, not too big to be distracting and easily readable.
• The stamina bar depletion speed is good, but I think the stamina regeneration should be slower.

User 4:

• The design looks very retro, the pixeled style gives a 80’s nostalgic feel.
• The colour contrasts well with the background. The colours do not conflict with other areas of the game. The white frame gives highlight to the bar.
• The size is right and the position of the bar is situated well. It does not distract users from the main game.
• The stamina bar animation is instantaneous and smooth. The speed feels right to me.

Summary

Prior to using the custom designed stamina bar, users reported that the design of the bar is quite boring and does not match the retro game style. The colour choices lacked contrast with the background of the game and is sometimes hard to read. The size of the bar was a little too small and the shape was boxy. Although the stamina bar animation was smooth, users felt that the stamina changes too quickly.

Given the user feedback on the original stamina bar implementation, we have decided to make changes to the design of the stamina bar by designing a custom bar that evolves around the retro theme. We have also decreased the speed of stamina depletion so that it the stamina bar moves more slowly. The rate of regeneration is slower than depletion to fulfil users’ suggestions of increasing game difficulty.

After implementing the newly designed stamina bar, we have conducted more user testing on this new stamina bar. Users really liked the new colour scheme and thinks that it suits well with the retro game theme. Users think that the colour contrast along with the white frame makes the bar stand out from the background. The size is appropriate, making it easily readable whilst not distracting users from playing the game. Users believed that the new stamina bar has appropriate speed, however, User 3 believed that regeneration speed can still be slower.