Observations and Reflections

We had the opportunity to test our game with kids at school. For this testing, our main focus was to gain insights into how children interact with the sjoelgame. This allowed us to observe key aspects such as how challenging we can make the game, the optimal game duration, the level of excitement among the kids, and, in general, how they engage with and play the game.

Test Group 1: Boys (9 years old)

Observations:

• Excitement: The boys were very enthusiastic about the game.
• Familiarity: They already knew the game rules.
• Behavior:
  • They started off calm but became more energetic as they played.
  • Often stood close to the slots and slid all the pucks in at once.
  • Played together at the same time, creating chaotic but fun gameplay.
• Puck Mechanics:
  • When multiple pucks went through the slots at the same time, they sometimes got stuck in the return system.
  • The boys unblocked the pucks themselves, keeping the game running smoothly.

Our Thoughts:

1. Difficulty Adjustment:

   • The boys found it relatively easy to slide pucks into the slots, so increasing the difficulty level on the development side could make the game more challenging and fun.

2. Special effect when multiple pucks slide in at once:

   • When two pucks pass through the slots at the same time, a unique effect could be triggered to enhance the gameplay experience.
     • Questions to consider:
       • What kind of effect should be displayed?
       • Is it better to keep it simple (e.g., a sound or visual spark) or implement a more significant event?

3. Screen Integration:

   • Adding our digital component might encourage the children to focus more and play in a calmer, more structured manner.
   • Currently, the gameplay is centered entirely on the physical board, which can lead to more chaotic behavior.

   <aside> ☝

   Remark

   Of course, this is just an assumption, and we’re not entirely sure about it. However, we are confident that the game experience will change. We’ll need to consider all factors and make adjustments if necessary, but we’re hopeful that the digital component will have a positive impact as well.

   </aside>

Test Group 2: Girls (6 and 8 years old)

Observations:

• Ease of Play: The girls also found it easy to slide pucks into the slots.
• Occasional Simultaneous Pucks: They occasionally slid two pucks at the same time.
• Calm Behavior: The girls played more calmly compared to the boys’ group.
• Puck Management:
  • They instinctively picked up pucks that stayed on the board and placed them back into the gutter.
• Engagement:
  • They played for a long time and really enjoyed the game.