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Usability Lessons for Game and Tool Design from Insomniac Games

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Mike Acton
Mike Acton

In dictionary of ~110,000 common English words, there are only ~6,500 words that begin with „a‟.

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Usability is not random #gdc13 MACTON@INSOMNIACGAMES.COM @MIKE_ACTON
Where do we apply usability lessons?
Where do we apply usability lessons?  Tools UI  Game  API design  ….everywhere!
Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues
Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues  Not even going to scratch the tip of the iceberg
Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues  Not even going to scratch the tip of the iceberg  Not a numbers talk
TL;DL
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations
TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
Working definition: Usability  Totaltime required to solve the specified problem at the desired level of quality.
Let‟s get this out of the way…
Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure?
Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure? The only way is to watch it live
Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure? The only way is to watch it live To make things more usable, asking good questions is way more valuable than better tools.
What is usability a function of? Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response  Let‟s understand each of these elements by example…
Example 1: Search
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Context is all agreed upon information.
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Context is all agreed upon information. What problem are we trying to solve?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Do we agree on what we‟re trying to accomplish?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Do we agree on what we‟re trying to accomplish? Magic words? Magic store? Music video? Etymology?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What‟s the impact of such a broad context?
Must visually parse the results…
Must guess at possible answer and click link…
Must visually scan page for answer…
Scroll…
Scroll more…
Keep scrolling…
Eventually… if we‟re paying attention, get answer.
If not… start over with another link
Improving, but…
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What if we had more context? i.e. more agreed upon information
e.g. “computational knowledge”
…or files in a file system
…or models in an asset tree
…or google-fu
...agree on more context in advance
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What if we had less context?
e.g. generic text entry box
e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints?
e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters?
e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters? What kind of characters?
e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters? What kind of characters? What do we know about the problem?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with.
This is more usable…
…than this…
…but only if we agree beforehand that we‟re searching for “computational knowledge”
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with.
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Choice is Bad The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Choice is Bad The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. To make things more usable, solve more specific, not more generic, problem. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
Choice is Bad  How do you measure it?  How do you know when to stop?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt (What we‟ve seen so far…)
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt (Know what the end result is…)
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Play
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Play “I don‟t know what I‟m looking for, but I‟ll know it when I see it.”
(Play) i.e. Iteration, Inspiration, Creative, …
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A xform B  The only purpose of any program is to transform some data from one form (A) into another form (B)
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A hunt B  When you know what (B) is
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A play ?  When you don‟t
(Play) Many choices, quickly…
(Play) Recommend more choices, quickly…
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A play ?  Whenyou don‟t know what you want…
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. AChoice is Good ? play  Whenyou don‟t know what you want…
In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. AChoice is Good ? play  When you don‟t know what you To make things more usable, present lots of want… relevant, comparable options quickly.
Choice is Good  How do you measure it?  How do you know what to show?
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Very different problems. Very different solutions. Play
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of the problem that can be solved with any particular message.
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of the problem that can be solved with any particular message. Message = data associated with each step of a process
Start search
Start search Visually parse the results…
Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link…
Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer…
Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll…
Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result?
Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… page click Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… Page down Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button List of possibilities
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The amount that each message reduces the search space
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The amount that each message reduces the search space Every problem is like a game of 20 Questions.
Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response This message is made up of smaller messages… a b r a c a d a b r a
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us?
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English In dictionary of ~110,000 common English words, there are only ~6,500 words that begin with „a‟.
a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English In dictionary of ~110,000 common English words, there are only ~6,500 words that begin with „a‟. Reduced likely results from near-infinite to ~6,500
a b r a c a d a b r a …and together „a‟ + „b‟ reduces our search space to ~420 words in the same dictionary.
a b r a c a d a b r a …and together „a‟ + „b‟ reduces our search space to ~420 words in the same dictionary. We can start to make reasonable guesses… (Obviously Google‟s search space is much bigger than a sample dictionary.)
a b r a c a d a b r a By the 5th message, the most likely answer is the correct one…
a b r a c a d a b r a A lot Almost none If context is well-defined, information density should map like this… (Like a game of 20 Questions)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gamma_distribution_pdf.svg Not every well-formed case looks like this…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gamma_distribution_pdf.svg …but it should be in this family of distributions
If we look back at our search messages…
Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button List of possibilities
What would that information density look like?
If your information density looks like this… or
If your information density looks like this… or Your context probably isn‟t well-defined.
If your information density looks like this… 20 Questions is all or you ever need Your context probably isn‟t well-defined. To make things more usable, map context so that most likely stuff comes first
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of time required to act correctly
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options Even more unused, not useful options
What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options Even more unused, not useful options Unclear how to choose the right answer
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem Error rate
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is Things to Measure bad Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem Error rate To make things more usable, reduce the time needed to work out what the right thing to do is
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response However… message creation time improves over time.
Initial difficulty isn‟t always bad... e.g. Driving
e.g. vi(m)
e.g. maya
e.g. making games
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is However… message creation time improves over time. good
Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is However… message creation time improves over time. good To make things more usable, allow for some features that are only useful with lots of practice.
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result.
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”…
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload “5 second rule”
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response One minute is worth Latency to transform message to useful result. 12 iterations When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload “5 second rule”
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response One minute is worth Latency to transform message to useful result. 12 iterations When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps To make things more usable, reduce the e.g. Compile, link, reload time needed to “5 second rule” work out what the right thing to do is
Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Throughput of message. i.e. time until can begin next message
Example 4: Stamp mode
E.g. 3D manipulators have very little context. (“Move/rotate/scale some object”)
Redefine context: “building things made up of connected, modular parts”
Hotkey: Modular stamp mode
Hotkey: Modular stamp mode See ghosted set of connectable pieces
Tab another set of connectable pieces
Click on ghosted piece to “stamp”
Tab back to other set
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened? More specific context When in doubt, be   Better information density  like Maya Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory
Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened? More specific context When in doubt, be   Better information density  like Maya Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory different something is, the bigger The more the bridge to the old way needs to be.
Review
Review  The only way is to watch it live
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good   Usability is triage 20 Questions is all you ever need Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good   Usability is triage 20 Questions is all you ever need Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterationsmore usable, don‟t try to To make things  When in doubt, be like maximize usability in everything Maya
#README  “A mathematical theory of communication” -- Claude Shannon  “The Design of Everyday Things” -- Donald A. Norman  “The Man Who Lied to His Laptop: What We Can Learn About Ourselves from Our Machines” -- Clifford Nass and Corina Yen
Usability is not random #gdc13 MACTON@INSOMNIACGAMES.COM @MIKE_ACTON

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Usability Lessons for Game and Tool Design from Insomniac Games

  • 1. Usability is not random #gdc13 MACTON@INSOMNIACGAMES.COM @MIKE_ACTON
  • 2. Where do we apply usability lessons?
  • 3. Where do we apply usability lessons?  Tools UI  Game  API design  ….everywhere!
  • 4. Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues
  • 5. Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues  Not even going to scratch the tip of the iceberg
  • 6. Today‟s goal  Mentalmodel for recognizing and breaking down usability issues  Not even going to scratch the tip of the iceberg  Not a numbers talk
  • 8. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live
  • 9. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad
  • 10. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good
  • 11. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need
  • 12. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad
  • 13. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good
  • 14. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations
  • 15. TL;DL  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
  • 16. Working definition: Usability  Totaltime required to solve the specified problem at the desired level of quality.
  • 17. Let‟s get this out of the way…
  • 18. Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure?
  • 19. Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure? The only way is to watch it live
  • 20. Let‟s get this out of the way…  What tools do you use to measure? The only way is to watch it live To make things more usable, asking good questions is way more valuable than better tools.
  • 21. What is usability a function of? Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response  Let‟s understand each of these elements by example…
  • 23. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Context is all agreed upon information.
  • 24. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Context is all agreed upon information. What problem are we trying to solve?
  • 25. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Do we agree on what we‟re trying to accomplish?
  • 26. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Do we agree on what we‟re trying to accomplish? Magic words? Magic store? Music video? Etymology?
  • 27. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What‟s the impact of such a broad context?
  • 28. Must visually parse the results…
  • 29. Must guess at possible answer and click link…
  • 30. Must visually scan page for answer…
  • 34. Eventually… if we‟re paying attention, get answer.
  • 35. If not… start over with another link
  • 37. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What if we had more context? i.e. more agreed upon information
  • 39.
  • 40. …or files in a file system
  • 41. …or models in an asset tree
  • 43. ...agree on more context in advance
  • 44. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response What if we had less context?
  • 45. e.g. generic text entry box
  • 46. e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints?
  • 47. e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters?
  • 48. e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters? What kind of characters?
  • 49. e.g. generic text entry box Less context = fewer constraints? How many characters? What kind of characters? What do we know about the problem?
  • 50. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with.
  • 51. This is more usable…
  • 53. …but only if we agree beforehand that we‟re searching for “computational knowledge”
  • 54. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with.
  • 55. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
  • 56. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Choice is Bad The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
  • 57. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Choice is Bad The upper limit of usability is determined by the amount of agreed upon information we start with. To make things more usable, solve more specific, not more generic, problem. i.e. More constraints = More (potentially) usable
  • 58. Choice is Bad  How do you measure it?  How do you know when to stop?
  • 59. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt (What we‟ve seen so far…)
  • 60. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt (Know what the end result is…)
  • 61. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Play
  • 62. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Play “I don‟t know what I‟m looking for, but I‟ll know it when I see it.”
  • 64. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A xform B  The only purpose of any program is to transform some data from one form (A) into another form (B)
  • 65. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A hunt B  When you know what (B) is
  • 66. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A play ?  When you don‟t
  • 67.
  • 69.
  • 71. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. A play ?  Whenyou don‟t know what you want…
  • 72. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. AChoice is Good ? play  Whenyou don‟t know what you want…
  • 73. In other words, (hunt vs. play)…. AChoice is Good ? play  When you don‟t know what you To make things more usable, present lots of want… relevant, comparable options quickly.
  • 74. Choice is Good  How do you measure it?  How do you know what to show?
  • 75. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Hunt Very different problems. Very different solutions. Play
  • 76. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response
  • 77. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of the problem that can be solved with any particular message.
  • 78. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of the problem that can be solved with any particular message. Message = data associated with each step of a process
  • 80. Start search Visually parse the results…
  • 81. Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link…
  • 82. Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer…
  • 83. Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll…
  • 84. Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result?
  • 85. Start search Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 86. Start search Search text Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 87. Start search Search text List of possibilities Visually parse the results… Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 88. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… page click Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 89. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 90. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 91. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 92. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Scroll… Found result? No
  • 93. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… Page down Found result? No
  • 94. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No
  • 95. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No
  • 96. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button
  • 97. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button List of possibilities
  • 98. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The amount that each message reduces the search space
  • 99. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response The amount that each message reduces the search space Every problem is like a game of 20 Questions.
  • 100. Example 1: Search Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response This message is made up of smaller messages… a b r a c a d a b r a
  • 101. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us?
  • 102. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block
  • 103. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS
  • 104. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English
  • 105. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English In dictionary of ~110,000 common English words, there are only ~6,500 words that begin with „a‟.
  • 106. a b r a c a d a b r a What does the first message tell us? „a‟ is U+0061, which is in the „Basic Latin‟ Unicode block Which means we‟re likely searching in EFIGS Based on context: Most likely in English In dictionary of ~110,000 common English words, there are only ~6,500 words that begin with „a‟. Reduced likely results from near-infinite to ~6,500
  • 107. a b r a c a d a b r a …and together „a‟ + „b‟ reduces our search space to ~420 words in the same dictionary.
  • 108. a b r a c a d a b r a …and together „a‟ + „b‟ reduces our search space to ~420 words in the same dictionary. We can start to make reasonable guesses… (Obviously Google‟s search space is much bigger than a sample dictionary.)
  • 109. a b r a c a d a b r a By the 5th message, the most likely answer is the correct one…
  • 110. a b r a c a d a b r a A lot Almost none If context is well-defined, information density should map like this… (Like a game of 20 Questions)
  • 111. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gamma_distribution_pdf.svg Not every well-formed case looks like this…
  • 112. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gamma_distribution_pdf.svg …but it should be in this family of distributions
  • 113. If we look back at our search messages…
  • 114. Start search Search text List of possibilities Mouse scroll, Visually parse the results… List more possibilities page click Guess at possible answer and Link click Page result click link… Scan page for answer… Mouse scroll, Scroll… More page result Page down Found result? No Back button List of possibilities
  • 115. What would that information density look like?
  • 116. If your information density looks like this… or
  • 117. If your information density looks like this… or Your context probably isn‟t well-defined.
  • 118. If your information density looks like this… 20 Questions is all or you ever need Your context probably isn‟t well-defined. To make things more usable, map context so that most likely stuff comes first
  • 119. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Amount of time required to act correctly
  • 120. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head
  • 121. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head
  • 122. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options
  • 123. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular
  • 124. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options
  • 125. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options Even more unused, not useful options
  • 126. What‟s wrong with this? Need to do calculations in your head Need to choose between a lot of unknown options Options too granular Lots of unused, not useful options Even more unused, not useful options Unclear how to choose the right answer
  • 127. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure
  • 128. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time
  • 129. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time
  • 130. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem
  • 131. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Things to Measure Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem Error rate
  • 132. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is Things to Measure bad Parsing time Thinking time Working on wrong problem Error rate To make things more usable, reduce the time needed to work out what the right thing to do is
  • 133. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response However… message creation time improves over time.
  • 134. Initial difficulty isn‟t always bad... e.g. Driving
  • 138. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is However… message creation time improves over time. good
  • 139. Example 2: Screenshot Dialog Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Learning curve is However… message creation time improves over time. good To make things more usable, allow for some features that are only useful with lots of practice.
  • 140. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result.
  • 141. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”…
  • 142. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure
  • 143. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels
  • 144. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps
  • 145. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload
  • 146. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Latency to transform message to useful result. When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload “5 second rule”
  • 147. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response One minute is worth Latency to transform message to useful result. 12 iterations When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps e.g. Compile, link, reload “5 second rule”
  • 148. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response One minute is worth Latency to transform message to useful result. 12 iterations When people say “iteration”… Easiest to measure e.g. Building levels e.g. Building lightmaps To make things more usable, reduce the e.g. Compile, link, reload time needed to “5 second rule” work out what the right thing to do is
  • 149. Example 3: Build times Information Message Message Message Context density creation translation response Throughput of message. i.e. time until can begin next message
  • 151. E.g. 3D manipulators have very little context. (“Move/rotate/scale some object”)
  • 152. Redefine context: “building things made up of connected, modular parts”
  • 154. Hotkey: Modular stamp mode See ghosted set of connectable pieces
  • 155. Tab another set of connectable pieces
  • 156. Click on ghosted piece to “stamp”
  • 157.
  • 158.
  • 159. Tab back to other set
  • 160.
  • 161.
  • 162.
  • 163.
  • 164.
  • 165.
  • 166.
  • 167.
  • 168.
  • 169. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?
  • 170. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context
  • 171. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density
  • 172. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation
  • 173. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response
  • 174. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened?  More specific context  Better information density  Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory
  • 175. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened? More specific context When in doubt, be   Better information density  like Maya Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory
  • 176. Example 4: Stamp mode  What happened? More specific context When in doubt, be   Better information density  like Maya Fast and simple message creation  Immediate message translation and response  Forgot: Muscle memory different something is, the bigger The more the bridge to the old way needs to be.
  • 177. Review
  • 178. Review  The only way is to watch it live
  • 179. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad
  • 180. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good
  • 181. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need
  • 182. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad
  • 183. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good
  • 184. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations
  • 185. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good  20 Questions is all you ever need  Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
  • 186. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good   Usability is triage 20 Questions is all you ever need Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterations  When in doubt, be like Maya
  • 187. Review  The only way is to watch it live  Choice is bad  Choice is good   Usability is triage 20 Questions is all you ever need Learning curve is bad  Learning curve is good  One minute is worth 12 iterationsmore usable, don‟t try to To make things  When in doubt, be like maximize usability in everything Maya
  • 188. #README  “A mathematical theory of communication” -- Claude Shannon  “The Design of Everyday Things” -- Donald A. Norman  “The Man Who Lied to His Laptop: What We Can Learn About Ourselves from Our Machines” -- Clifford Nass and Corina Yen
  • 189. Usability is not random #gdc13 MACTON@INSOMNIACGAMES.COM @MIKE_ACTON