Are you a game designer working in the video game industry, or seeking to become one? Ever wonder what makes for a successful and popular video game? One of the things that can make - or break - a video game product is the user interface design also known as usability engineering. A consultant specializing in that field has written about a wildly successful casual video game called Angry Birds, made for mobile phones, tablets and other platforms. The article is very well written, so take heed designers! Here is an excerpt:
\"What makes a user interface engaging is adding more detail to the user\u2019s mental model at just the right time. Angry Birds\u2019 simple interaction model is easy to learn because it allows the user to quickly develop a mental model of the game\u2019s interaction methodology, core strategy and scoring processes. It is engaging, in fact addictive, due to the carefully ed expansion of the user\u2019s mental model of the strategy component and incremental increases in problem/solution methodology. These little birds are packed with clever behaviors that expand the user\u2019s mental model at just the point when game-level complexity is increased. The process of creating simple, engaging interaction models turns out to be exceedingly complex. Most groups developing software today think expansion of the user\u2019s mental model is for the birds. Not necessarily so.\"
Written by Charles L. Mauro, the full article can be read at the MauroNewMedia website. And in case anyone was wondering: Chillingo, the publisher of Angry Birds, was acquired for $20 Million by Electronic Arts in 2010, though Rovio (the developer) does retain full control of the rights to Angry Birds.
Among the tech savvy or those who just love to talk about tech, what are the latest hot topics in the world of technology and IT? Network World & IDG News Service have compiled a list of in-depth articles that explore today\'s most discussed IT and technology issues. Of particular interest to Sims 3 players are the following items:
The full articles and more can be viewed at the Network World & IDG News Service website. It certainly makes for some lively conversations around the water cooler!
