Abstract
This paper describes a number of general design problems with adventure-like computer games for young children in order to demonstrate the need for specific design guidelines for this type of products. These problems were experienced by children participating in a number of user tests of existing computer games. By providing a generalization of these problems some first directions are given for the nature of the design guidelines that could be developed. Furthermore, a first proposal for a unifying framework to organize these guidelines is given.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Nielsen, J.: Usability Engineering. Academic Press Inc., Boston (2003)
Shneiderman, B.: Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. Addison-Wesley, Reading (1998)
Gilutz, S., Nielsen, J.: Usability of Websites for children: 70 design guidelines based on usability studies with kids (2002)
Malone, T.W., Lepper, M.R.: Making learning fun: a taxonomy of intrinsic motivations for learning. In: Snow, R.E., Farr, M.J. (eds.) Aptitude, Learning and Interaction III Cognitive and Affective Process Analysis, Erlbaum, Hillsdale (1987)
Pagulayan, R.J., Keeker, K., Wixon, D., Romero, R., Fuller, T.: User-centered design in games. In: Jacko, J., Sears, A. (eds.) Handbook for Human-Computer Interaction in Interactive Systems, pp. 883–906. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah (2003)
Shelley, B.: Guidelines for Developing Successful Games (15-8-2001), http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20010815/shelley_01.htm
Jordan, P.W.: Pleasure with Products: Human Factors for Body, Mind and Soul. In: Green, W., Jordan, P. (eds.) Human Factors in Product Design: Current Practise and Future Trends, Taylor & Francis, UK (1996)
Clanton, C.: An Interpreted Demonstration of Computer Game Design. In: Proceedings of the conference on CHI 98 summary: human factors in computing systems, pp. 1–2 (1998)
Hartson, H.R., Andre, T.S., Williges, R.C., Rens, v.L.: The User Action Framework: A Theory-Based Foundation for Inspection and Classification of Usability Problems. In: HCI International 1999, Munich, Germany (August 1999)
Norman, D.A., Draper, S.W.: User centered system design: new perspectives on human-computer interaction. Erlbaum, Hillsdale (1986)
Prensky, M.: Digital game-based learning. McGraw-Hill, New York (2000)
Sesamstraat: Lezen met Grover (Sesame Street: Reading with Grover). [Computer software] TLC Domus (1999)
Bekker, M.M., Kersten-Tsikalkina, M.: Evaluating Usability and pleasure of children’s products. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Affective Human Factors Design. Singapore (2001)
Barendregt, W., Bekker, M.M., Speerstra, M.: Empirical evaluation of usability and fun in computer games for children. In: Proceedings of Interact Conference 2003, Zürich, Switzerland, pp. 705-708 (2003)
Markopoulos, P., Bekker, M.M.: On the assessment of usability testing methods for children. Interacting with Computers 15(3), 227–243 (2003)
Bekker, M.M., Barendregt, W., Crombeen, S., Biesheuvel, M.: Evaluating usability and fun during initial and extended use of children’s computer games. In: Proceedings of the BCSHCI (September 2004) Leeds (2004)
Max en de toverstenen (Milo and the magical stones). [Computer software] MediaMix Benelux (2002)
Konijn, R.: Groep 3: Pret in de Wolken (Robbie Rabbit, Group 3: Fun in the Clouds). [Computer software] Mindscape (2003)
Regenboog, de mooiste vis van de zee (Rainbow, the most beautiful fish in the ocean). [Computer software] MediaMix Benelux (2002)
Cockton, G., Woolrych, A.: Understanding Inspection Methods: Lessons from an Assessment of Heuristic Evaluation. In: Blandford, A., Vanderdonckt, J., Gray, P.D. (eds.), pp. 171–192. Springer, Heidelberg (2001)
Sutcliffe, A.G., Ryan, M., Doubleday, A., Springett, M.V.: Model mismatch analysis: towards a deeper explanation of users’ usability problems. Behaviour & Information Technology 19(1), 43–55 (2000)
Vermeeren, A.P.O.S., den Bouwmeester, K., Aasman, J., de Ridder, H.: DEVAN: a detailed video analysis of user test data. Behaviour & Information Technology (2002)
Andre, T.S., Hartson, H.R., Belz, S.M., McCreary, F.A.: The User action framework: a reliable foundation for usability engineering support tools. Int. J. of Human-Computer Studies 54, 107–136 (2001)
Pagulayan, R.J., Steury, K.R., Fulton, B., Romero, R.: Designing for fun: User-testing case studies. In: Blythe, M., Overbeeke, K., Monk, A., Wright, P. (eds.) Funology: From Usability to Enjoyment, pp. 137–150. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (2003)
Federoff, M.A.: Heuristics and usability guidelines for the creation and evaluation of fun in video games Msc Department of Telecommunications of Indiana University (2002)
Oscar en de geheimen van het bos (Oscar the balloonist and the secrets of the forest). [Computer software] Lannoo (2000)
Heksenspul - Met Hennie de Heks en de kat Helmer (Witchstuff - With Hennie the Witch and the cat Helmer). [Computer software] Karakter Interactive (2002)
Wereld in getallen, Groep: 3 Het Pretpark (World in numbers, group 3: The Fun-fair). [Computer software] Malmberg Uitgeverij (2003)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing
About this paper
Cite this paper
Barendregt, W., Bekker, M.M. (2004). Towards a Framework for Design Guidelines for Young Children’s Computer Games. In: Rauterberg, M. (eds) Entertainment Computing – ICEC 2004. ICEC 2004. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3166. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-28643-1_47
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-28643-1_47
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-22947-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-28643-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive