Design Process

My team got some of the questions clarified after emailing the project lead. As the designers for this game interface, we have the freedom to design the games however we like and in any format. We were suggested to play other similar games such as "Baba is You" or "CodeCombat" as reference. After doing some research about the common features of these games. My team got started with the sketch of what will be the interface of our game. Here are the logistics of the game we agreed on having:

• Tutorial page to guide first time user through the game mechanics.
• The color theme of the game will be dark to fit the spy mission aspect of the game.
• The player would be able to view a lesson of the programming concept they will implement in each level prior to starting the gameplay.
• The player should also be able to view any of their previous completed level.
• To make navigation easier for the player, they will be able to view their progress from the level selection page.

To get feedback on our initial wireframes, we met with our project contact, presented her with the wireframes, and walked her through the flow and the reasons behind our design choices. She provided valuable insights that we plan to integrate into our design:

• Lesson Content Integration:
  • She suggested adding a video tutorial format for the lessons and using more visual elements like a series of slides to guide through the content.
• Player Controls:
  • She advised us to emphasize player controls more prominently and to ensure they are included in the help menu for easy reference.
• Documentation:
  • She recommended creating a documentation booklet for predefined functions in the game, such as "enter code(num)".
• Visual Appeal:
  • She liked the color palette of the floor selection and suggested making the overall interface more colorful.
• Usability Testing:
  • She mentioned investigating whether the buttons are intuitive enough without extensive reliance on the tutorial, to better understand player engagement and memory retention.

As we update the wireframes based on the project lead's suggestions, we have reached the point in the semester when we start usability testing. Our project is targeted towards upper-middle school to early high school students, so ideally, we would conduct the usability testing with children in that age range. However, because this is a class project, we were instructed to conduct the testing with our peers. We were directed to ask at least five people to participate in the usability testing and to record each session. Additionally, we must walk the user through each scenario they need to complete, which includes going through the tutorial page, completing a level with specific instructions directing the participants on which level to choose, and lastly, reviewing their progress on a certain level.

• Tutorial was clear, if not a little wordy. I had no problem walking through the game after completing the tutorial
• Giving a more descriptive overview of each room to allow for easier recall of what was completed in that room at a glance would be good.
• I think the tutorial should have a separate close out button for the dialogue, but other than that it achieves it's task well at communicating the instructions of the game.
• Lost after completing a level, unsure if the level is completed.

The final presentation to the project leader marks the end of the project and the semester. It was my first time solely focusing on the design aspect of a project, rather than the implementation. Working in a team of four, I learned the power of communication, collaboration, and brainstorming, which helped the entire team successfully complete the project by the end of the semester. Fortunately, we did not encounter any major blockers throughout the project. Although this project may never move beyond the planning phase. I believe it has significant potential if it were to be implemented. Katabasis is a company that aims to provide low-income children with the educational resources they need to succeed. This project could teach these children programming, a skill that could be extremely beneficial in their future. it opens up pathways to critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are essential in any career. Programming education fosters logical thinking and creativity, empowering children to innovate and solve real-world problems.