HCI 590 Topics in Human-Computer Interaction
Summary
In games user research (GUR), practitioners collect (unbiased) game play data that help design/development teams make better games. Students will learn and practice HCI methods that have been adapted to meet the challenges of game design: methods will include game heuristics, game usability and lab-based playtesting. In the first weeks of the quarter students will (a) learn about elements of good game design and (b) practice GUR methods with poorly designed commercial games In the last weeks of the quarter students will team with senior game students to help them evaluate their capstone prototype games. The course will help students who are interested in applying their HCI skills to games and gamified persuasive technologies.
Learning Objectives
After participating in this course, you will be able to:
- Discuss elements of good game design
- Articulate GUR method strengths and weaknesses and where in the development cycle methods are typically (and ideally) applied
- Perform common GUR evaluations:
- Competitive Review
- Heuristic / expert evaluations
- Usability
- Playtest
- Demonstrate effective ways to present evaluation findings
Texts
Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Third Edition 3rd Edition | Tracy Fullerton | ISBN-13: 978-1482217162
Game Usability | Katherine Isbister and Noah Schaffer | ISBN-13: 978-0123744470
Remaining readings will be available in the content area of D2L or as links from the Readings page.
Prerequisites
HCI 445 and HCI 460 (I will waive HCI 445 if students are enrolled i the class simultaneously.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296