Beta Testing on Preschoolers

(That title makes this sound dangerous!)

Today I had a 4 year old, Katie*, and a 5 year old, Isabella*, playtest my game for me!

They really liked it! The games they liked the best were the character creation, pipe connecting game, and ABC Mountain.

They also liked the shape game too!

Here are some memorable quotes:

Isabella*: "This is really fun!"; "I want to make another character!"; "I can't wait to tell my dad at dinner about this!"
Katie*: "I want to play the ABC game!"; "Can I play this again?"; "Yes! We made it to the party!"
Isabella's* Mom: "It really seems like they enjoyed this game. It looks like they're very entertained."

I'm really glad it went over so well!

*Names changed to protect privacy

Planning Schedule

1. Interview preschool teachers to find out what kids are learning & play test other games targeted toward preschoolers to see what techniques they use ~ 2 weeks.
2. Create characters and storyboard the video game and review with project team ~ 2 weeks
3. Code the core game elements (i.e. the main parts of the game where information is presented.) ~ 3 months
4. Enhance the game user experience (i.e. polish it; artwork included) ~ 1 month
   Play test it by myself and fix all the bugs I find ~ 1 month Project team playtests and fix bugs ~ 1 month Have preschool age children play test it and fix all bugs ~ 1 month Repeat steps 5 through 7 as needed Create a website for the game with a downloadable copy and feedback survey ~ 1 month
   11. Burn copies of the game onto CDs for distribution ~ 2 weeks
   12. Provide copies of the game to preschool teachers and ask them to pass them out ~ 1 week
   13. Publicize the website and the game through Girl Scout websites, parenting websites, etc (including researching appropriate parenting websites to publicize through)

Ideas for Elevator Pitch

My game is an educational video game intended for preschoolers. It covers concepts like control of the mouse, spelling their own name, logic, counting numbers up to ten, the alphabet, shape recognition, and cooperation. I surveyed preschool teachers and parents of preschoolers about what should be included in the game.

Conflict Amongst Ourselves

I was originally intending for Michelle to help with programming in addition to doing art and voice overs. However, this seemed to put a lot on her plate. I was worried she wasn't going to be able to keep up with all of it. She had also never had programming experience before. She was having trouble meeting our deadlines. Therefore, I decided to tell her to stop trying to program and focus on the art and voice overs.

Difficulties

OGPC is coming up. I think some parts of the planned storyboard needs to be cut out. The paint the picture game isn't exactly working as well as I thought. If I don't have it fixed by tomorrow, I'll need to take it out.

Also, the decorate the cake game seems to be pretty similar to the lock game. I'm concerned about the finger dexterity of three year olds--will they really be able to click and drag accurately? Because of this the cake decorating game is being removed.

The littering game is heavily dependent on art. However, art seems to be our weakest point. Therefore, it will also be removed UNLESS all the other art can be finished ahead of time.

Voice Overs

Today we came up with a script for the voice overs. They're necessary so that 3 year olds can understand what is going on. Here are some highlights:

"Click the blue or pink button to select gender. Click the yellow arrow buttons to change the clothes. When you are done, click the green button that says next."

"You are home! It looks like there's mail! Click on the place where you get the mail."

"Oh, no! You went to find a map to your cousins house but it got all jumbled up."

"Which path has the same number of apples as the sign?"

"You cousins house is on the other side of Alphabet Mountain. Jump on the squares in the order of the alphabet. If you get stuck, try singing the Alphabet Song!"

Full Storyboard

-minigames strung together by a story

Each Game:

1. Create character.
2. Postcard from cousin inviting you to a party.
3. Generic respond to letter. Have them spell their own name.
4. Pipe connecting map game to create path to get there.
5. Count number of landmarks to pick correct route.
6. Jump from stone A to B to C etc to get up mountain.
7. Mix paints to create colors for painting for present.
8. Drag and drop shapes to dots as key to open door to party.
9. Decorate the cake at party yay the end.
10. Pick up trash @ party.

Brainstorming

Goal of the game:

• Probably involves collecting various objects or something
• Save someone?

Main Character: The player---choose your own looks, etc

Side Characters:

• Girl Scout Character:
• Helpful
• Maybe just in one of the minigames?
• Talking animal of some variety--companion?
• or you have to rescue them at some point and then they are your companion
• Villain
• probably stole something...

Possible minigames:

• Maze (possibly pacman style)
• Matching
• Incorporate educational stuff into here
• “Jump onto the next letter of the alphabet to climb the tower woo”
• Spell their name? As a “secret code” or something
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Sort the objects by color/sound of first letter/anything

Rhyme stuff

Random noises/animations

Mouse only

PRESCHOOLS TO CONTACT:

http://child-care-preschool.brighthorizons.com/OR/Beaverton/beaverton/Our-Staff/

http://www.kindercare.com/our-centers/portland/or/301699/?cid=LOC_Google_Places_301699

http://www.cumcpdx.org/about/newsletter

Beginning storyboard:

1. Character creation, enter name