Hello! Team Joule has successfully completed the Networking and Database sprint from last week. With the networking setup between across the screens, we began the week by testing the networked experience. Our main goal is to learn about the experience between players when they are given a screen each. The targeted experience is for them to communicate and discuss their decisions with one another while comparing their options across different screens.
Packed up and ready to go!
Networking setup at Elizabeth Forward
With multiple computer required for the setup, we spent some time to pack up the computers and brought it over the Elizabeth Forward. After setting up the computers, we were ready to start the test! We tested with 3 students at the school and they played the game twice. In addition to testing the networked multiplayer experience, we also tested the current design of the 9-week experience. The students were given 250 tons of coal that would be deducted after each turn based on their energy consumption. In addition to the current upgrade options, they were also able to add solar panels and wind turbines to their homes if they have saved enough money by year 4 or 5.
Keep track of high scores
The play test definitely gave us different insights into the problems we have to fix. The main observations of the play test are as follows:
- Not discussing about the impact of their decisions. They tend to make decisions on their own without asking for the opinions of their partners. It also caused the other players to be confused or shocked when they see a change they do not approve of.
- Seem to think that each of them have their own supply of money.
- Highly concerned with the comfort meter in the home. They avoid making decisions that will sacrifice the comfort or will make subsequent decisions to increase their comfort. They want to be in the green comfort zone.
- Not sure about the changes they have made and the impact on their house. Not sure if they have successfully made the upgrade or if they had earned money from it
With these observations in mind, we have decided that the user interface has to be improved. We have planned a 3-week sprint up to halves to improve the UI and provide them an easier way to make informed decisions. Among the changes to be made, our priority would be allowing comparisons to be made easily between different appliances and encourage communication between the students while playing the game. Apart from the digital game, we will prepare the design plan for the kiosk to prepare design specifications for the contractor to build the kiosk. Lastly, we would prepare for halves presentation.
This is this week’s update for Team Joule! See you next week!