Last month. I discover The Witness, a magical video game. Beautiful, immersive, fun and without text. However, we gradually understand the missions to be carried out. It's a real revelation for me, the pinnacle of UX Design!
But by the way, how are video games designed? Does this domain work on UX Design principles similar to those practiced today on the web and on apps?
To find out, I met David Jeanne, Senior UX Designer at Ubisoft.
With a degree in neuro-biology and cognitive ergonomics, he carried out missions as a transport ergonomist and interface ergonomist before embarking on the design of video games. Founder of a company of 10 people, he worked on the aspects of game design and player experience to define the universe, the atmosphere, the decor, the game mechanics and the ergonomics. Today he works at Ubisoft on global issues of community, loyalty service and gamification.
 
What do you think is the best user-oriented video game?
We can't really say that there is a “best user-oriented video game” because it's a highly subjective subject. If I had to choose I would say Dead Space and Journey. Dead Space because there is a strong dimension of challenge despite a very refined interface. Its real UX asset is based on an interface completely integrated into the character's costume and weapons. The interface stripped of all features allows the player to better immerse himself in the story.

In a completely different genre, Journey is a very poetic and immersive game. The pitch is simple and the handling quick. The immersion and the storytelling are incredible.

How would you define the user experience in video games?
Game Design makes it possible to design a game that meets the expectations of players. That is to say a fun game full of challenges, with many challenges and easily understandable. Game Design is based on a clever balance between learning and the complexity of the challenges to avoid boredom or anxiety. (See flow chart)
A true conductor, a Game Designer is called upon to define:
– the dynamic mechanics to set up actions on the interface (speed, distance)
– puzzles to add complexity and thinking
– the narration of non-linear scenarios
– the economy to set up a system of resources, expenses and income (see Sim City)
– surprises (easter egg) to surprise the player
 
Would you say that Game Design is far from UX Design?
In the book “A Theory of Fun for Game Design”, Ralp Koster explains that the Game Designer slowly adds complexity to increase the challenge.

The UX Designer removes all complexity to facilitate immersion and concentration on the heart of the product. For example the game “Silent Hill” is designed in such a way as to lose the day to increase the scary atmosphere.
However, there are common methodologies between UX Design and Game Design:

• the interactions,
• The immersion
• the menu,
• the tests.

 
Do we use UX Designers to design video games?
Very little given that UX design in video games is still mainly defined by the game designer and the artistic director. The UX Designer in video games looks like an interface designer. The design of the interface often occurs in the middle-end of the project, following the graphic universe, the game design and the development. There is little user research to speak of. The tests are carried out by ergonomists who intervene only during the technical development of the game.
 
Marina Wiesel, UX Designer

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