ABSTRACT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Several logistical issues can make formative testing problematic, such as getting access to testers and nding the best location and equipment for the right type of testing. In addition, learning games-also called educational, serious, or transformational games-present additional challenges to user testing. Developers and researchers at New Mexico State University (NMSU) have created a unique program to combat these problems. Researchers oer ongoing, year-round Game Design ink Tanks where testers participate in activities to build their reviewing skills, test games regularly during the design process, engage in a variety of feedback methods, and gain valuable media skills. rough this Learning Games Lab model, professional game developers have easy access to testers at any stage of game development and can build their design intuition through frequent contact with members of the target audience. is case study looks at how the Learning Games Lab operates, including processes for recruiting subjects, collecting data, and sharing that data with the development team.
