Heuristic Evaluation of Prototypes:Lucky Seven
From CS 160 Fall 2008
Contents |
Problem
We performed a heuristic evaluation on Word Soup, a game that helps people increase their conversational skills in a foreign language through taboo-like gameplay (describing and drawing a picture).
Heuristic Violation
H2-1:Visibility of System Status
[H2-1:Visibility of System Status] [severity = 3]
In the drawer screen, there is no feed back when choosing drawing tools so that I can not see which tool I choose.
[H2-1:Visibility of System Status] [severity = 2]
The mission statement on the first screen is too small
H2-2:Match system and real world
[H2-2:Match system and real world] [severity = 2]
In the drawer screen, the user may not be distinguish between "Erase tool" and "White color".
[H2-2: Match between system & real world] [severity = 1]
In the the waiting room screen, the string "Open" on the small window represents that this space is vacant,
but "Open" may be ambiguous. Because it does not show the game is private or not, user may be confused of the game that users join.
"Open to anybody" or "Still open" is much better.
H2-3User control & freedom
[H2-3: User control & freedom] [severity = 4]
In the drawer screen, what if the user wants to undo or redo?
The user should erase all and totally redraw the what dictator describe.
[H2-3: User control & freedom] [severity = 4]
The user doesn't have the freedom to navigate back to the previous screen.
H2-4Consistency and standards
[H2-4:Consistency and standards][severity = 2]
The button in "the waiting room screen" showing start violates consistency.
Because, the buttons on the left side of the start button is used for chatting.
Users may be confused by different sort of button aligning in a straight line.
[H2-4:Consistency and standards][severity = 4]
At the end of the game there's no replay or other buttons to go back/play the game again.
[H2-4:Consistency and standards][severity = 2]
In the main screen, the link "create new account" is not clickable/linked.
[H2-4:Consistency and standards][severity = 3]
When drawing the picture, the home screen directs to the login screen -- should not be there.
[H2-4:Consistency and standards][severity = 3]
After creating the game, the number of box should match the number of player.
H2-5 Error Prevention
[H2-4:Error Prevention][severity = 4]
The user doesn't have the freedom to navigate back to the previous screen.
[H2-4:Error Prevention][severity = 3]
There's no confirmation window when submitting after drawing
H2-7 Flexibility and efficiency of use
[H2-7:Flexibility and efficiency of use][severity=2] can't change settings
H2-10 Help and documentation
[H2-10:Help and documentation][severity = 4] The interface on the first screen, there is no clue to understand the game. Apparently, any help and documentation is missing on the first screen.
Summary of Violations
Heuristic Evaluation violation- 15 violations total:
H2-1: Visibility of System Status - 2 violations.
H2-2: Match system and real world - 2 violations.
H2-3: User control & freedom - 2 violations
H2-4: Consistency and standards - 5 violations.
H2-5: Error Prevention - 2 violations.
H2-7: Flexibility and efficiency of use - 1 violation.
H2-10: Help and documentation - 1 violation.
Recommendation
1- Add back buttons that allows to to navigate through.
2- Make the menu more accessible on various screen.
3- Administrator interface should clearly shows administrative tools.
4- Replay the game button at the end of the game.
5- Match the number of player slots to the number of player.
6- Show the name of the game that you're playing.
7- In home screen, should tell more about each game.
8- Have the mission statement bigger and more visible.
9- Put redraw or undo/ redo on the drawing section.
10- Put instruction on the main page, allow them to see the instruction of the game.
11- Provide the "Do you want to submit" confirmation when they clicked submit on the drawing page.
12- There should be a feedback status of who they're talking with.
13- Where the time goes to 0, it should brings the player to the next screen.
14- Disable the drawing after time ends/clicking the submit button.
