Developing Playability Heuristics Based on Nouns and Adjectives from Online Game Reviews

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to develop playability heuristics based on a lexical analysis of nouns and adjectives frequently used in online game reviews. Built on a previous lexical analysis of adjectives in online game reviews, it is argued that nouns together with adjectives will likely provide more contextual information than adjectives alone, and therefore the patterns among these words can be used to develop playability heuristics. A revised lexical approach is adopted to analyze nouns and adjectives from 821,122 online reviews. Ninety seven factors emerge from this analysis. Based on the nouns and adjectives highly loaded on these factors, a new process is introduced and 90 playability heuristics are derived. This study significantly expands the current pool of playability heuristics that facilitate the computer game design process. The lexical method adopted in this study demonstrates its effectiveness in developing interface design guidelines based on a large number of online reviews on a system or product. It can be extended to other fields that are human-behavior centered.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Miaoqi Zhu

Miaoqi Zhu is currently a researcher and engineer developing imaging technologies for Motion Pictures. He received his doctorate degree in Computer and Information Science from DePaul University. His work on computer game playability addresses important questions in the intersection of human–computer interaction and digital media studies.

Fan Zhao

Fan Zhao is an assistant professor and program leader of Computer Information Systems in the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University, USA. He has published extensively in various research areas of Information Systems, such as enterprise resource planning, data mining, human–computer interaction, e-commerce, and customer relationship management.

Xiaowen Fang

Xiaowen Fang is a professor in the School of Computing, College of Computing and Digital Media, at DePaul University. He directs the mobile commerce research lab. His research interests include human–computer interaction, mobile commerce, usability, playability and enjoyment of computer games.

Christopher Moser

Christopher Moser is the founder and User Experience officer at Social Commerce Solutions. He earned a master’s degree in human–computer interaction at DePaul University.