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Nick Finck of BlueFlavor.com gave a presentation entitled, "The Contextual Web." This discussion was centered around web pages and Internet applications, but, to some extent, this topic applies to video games as well, whether they be PC games or games on consoles.
First, Finck introduced us to the four aspects of context that he was looking at: User, Task, Environment and Technology. User has to do with analyzing who uses the application and what their personal conditions are. Are the users blind or deaf? Are they young people or older people? Are they technically savvy or computer illiterate? The specifications of the expected user can and should have a great effect on the design of the interface, for why else is the interface created, but to connect your application with them?
The second aspect discussed, Task, is concerning what the goal of the application is. What is the user trying to do? What external tools are needed to accomplish their task? It's even possible that other people may be needed for their intended task.
Finally, Finck pointed out that Technology can differ greatly between various users. They may have multiple monitors. They may, for that matter, have multiple computers in front of them. Then again, they may not even be in front of a computer. Perhaps they're on their iPhone or other mobile device. For that matter, they could be using your application on a high-end kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator or gas range. That brings up lots of things to consider. Do all of your users have a mouse? Can you be sure?
Nick Finck also talked about Fitt's law of ergonomics, which basically calls for maximizing a target area (think click-able area of a button), to make the target easier to hit. This comes into play a lot with interfaces that are displayed on a small, mobile device... especially if the website was not designed with these devices in mind.
These same aspects apply to videogame interfaces. This is obvious in PC games, where all of the things above obviously apply, but even on consoles, where system specifications are theoretically the same, the differences in users themselves and their environment are still at work here. Videogames have graphical user interfaces to bridge the gap between the user and the application. Game developers need to strive to improve these interfaces just as much as any web or application UI developers. |