This week has been a whirlwind of activity as the team finalizes preparations for our upcoming trip to Ghana. Our main focus has been perfecting the game build and planning out a robust testing strategy to ensure we gain valuable insights from playtesting with our target audience.
Game Development
Our priority has been implementing final changes to the game and polishing every detail. Based on feedback from Playtest Day, Anna updated the loading scenes to ensure players understand what game they’re entering. Previously, students missed critical instructions because the text wasn’t clear or engaging. Anna simplified the transitions for a smoother experience. Meanwhile, Yawen added UI elements for the third game, clarifying gameplay mechanics for users.
Lawrence made significant revisions to the character, including updating animations. He addressed a key issue we noticed during Playtest Day: the running game ended abruptly. Now, the character has both a tripping animation and a victory animation, creating a much more satisfying conclusion to the game. Regina contributed by designing a stunning ending landscape for the running game and enhancing the environment for the soap-surfing mini-game.
On the technical side, our two 3D artists collaborated with Tyler to finalize the outside-world puzzle. This interactive maze lets players navigate through a vibrant environment, adding depth and exploration to the game. Tyler also worked diligently to resolve an issue we encountered with embedded videos during Playtest Day. He preloaded the videos onto the devices to ensure smooth performance during playtesting. With the game installed on all tablets, we are officially ready for the next phase!
Playtest Planning
A successful playtest requires thoughtful planning, so we spent time refining our approach to ensure we gather meaningful data. We met with our project consultant, Dave, to review the lesson plan and make improvements. Dave suggested incorporating a “co-design” activity during the playtests in Ghana. This activity would give us a unique opportunity to understand our target audience’s perspective by encouraging students to express their thoughts about the game and hygiene concepts.
Courtney, our client, also emphasized the importance of collecting qualitative data to measure whether students’ attitudes and understanding of hygiene change after playing the game. Taking these suggestions into account, Eva revised the lesson plan to include pre- and post-playtest activities. Students will first draw their impressions of hands and feet and answer a Likert scale questionnaire before and after playing the game. The Hygiene Hero Cup gameplay will be the central activity, and if the students’ energy levels allow, we’ll include a co-design session. For this, students will be asked to imagine introducing the game to their family and friends and suggest features they believe should appear in a hygiene-themed game.
Next Steps
With everything packed and ready, the team is heading to Ghana next week! We’re excited to playtest the game with kids, gather their feedback, and immerse ourselves in Ghanaian culture. This trip promises to be an enriching experience, and we’re looking forward to seeing how our work resonates with the students. Stay tuned for updates from the field!