Sound Effect User test

Purpose

The main purpose of this user test is to investigate and evaluate users' views and feelings about Sound Effects. Through playing Sound Effects, to record the user's feelings, mood and verbal feedbacks. This user test is very important to our project because there may be some flaws in the final design of our team. Therefore, test results will be performed to improve the system.

Process

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, user testing will be done through an online zoom meeting. The tester will use the remote control to show the user the applicable page of the Sound Effect and play the Sound Effect .

1: The tester will use the screen to display the pages where the Sound Effect is applicable. 2: The tester will play Sound Effect . 3: The tester will ask the user some open questions. 4: The tester will record the answers, summarize them, and delve into the specific reasons.

NOTE: Some sound effects were not implemented into the game during the user test. We explained where will be this sound effect used to the user and then let them hear it.

Key Questions Asked

1: How do you feel when you hear this Sound Effect ? 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to Sound Effect ? 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to? 4: Do you have any other suggestions?

Results

Achievement Sound (is played when unlock one achievement)

USER 1

First impression of Achievement sound effect

It is very short which is appropriate, I think it is suitable.

Word summary for this sound

Happy, short, clear

Matching of one achievement unlock

It matches because it is a happy sound.

More achievement sound effect improvements

Maybe make it louder

USER 2

First impression of Achievement sound effect

I think it is ok for achievement unlock, it is very short so not much impression.

Word summary for this sound

very clear and appropriate

Matching of one achievement unlock

yes it matches

More achievement sound effect improvements

No suggestions

USER 3

First impression of Achievement sound effect

This sound is very obvious

Word summary for this sound

Happy

Matching of one achievement unlock

It matches.

More achievement sound effect improvements

Sound and the achievement icon have some delay.

Obstacles Sound effects (are played when these obstacles appear or attack)

(delegated by team8, designed by team9, user tests were done by team9).
There are three sound effects；

1. Spacecraft floating
2. Missle explostion
3. monster roar
   NOTE: These sounds were already in the game when doing the user test.

USER 1

First impression of these sound effects

The spacecraft one should be louder. The rest of these are really good.

Word summary for these three

Nervous, terrified.

Matching of the scene and obstacles (NPCs) moves

Match, people can easily understand these sounds.

More improvements for these three

The first one should be louder.

USER 2

First impression of these sound effects

Sounds pretty good

Word summary for these three

Terrified, excited.

Matching of the scene and obstacles (NPCs) moves

Partillay matched, there is one thing comes out of that monster. I don't get it what is that.

More improvements for these three

Should design a new sound for that thing comes out of the monster. Others sound pretty good.

USER 3

First impression of these sound effects

Great sound effects.

Word summary for these three

Loud and clear.

Matching of the scene and obstacles (NPCs) moves

Yes. But the missiles sounds are louder than the UFO's. Hard to hear.

More improvements for these three

Make the UFO's sound louder.

Player's move sound effects (are played when player jumps, attack)

NOTE: The player cannot attack at the current version of the game. The game already has these two, we designed two more and then decide update or not based on the feedbacks.

USER 1

First impression of jump and attack

The jump effect sounds weird. The attack is fine.

Word summary for these two

Jump effect is not appropriate.

Matching of player's move

The attack sound matches.

More improvements(also asked is it necessary to switch the sound effect)

I think the original jump effect is better. Both attacks are ok.

USER 2

First impression of jump and attack

Jump sound is very amused, it should be the sound effect for step on a banana. Attack sounds good.

Word summary for these two

Funny

Matching of player's move

Not matches

More improvements(also asked is it necessary to switch the sound effect)

I think the originals are better.

USER 3

First impression of jump and attack

Jump sound is funny. The attack sounds like using knife but the player doesn't have one.

Word summary for these two

Not appropriate.

Matching of player's move

Both not match.

More improvements(also asked is it necessary to switch the sound effect)

The old ones are better in my opinion.

map sound track

Initial map BGM (source/core/assets/sounds/track1.mp3)

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
I think the sound effect of this version is very nice and lively. 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Happy 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
It fits perfectly. 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Nothing needs to change, this is already a mature work.

User 2

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
It was great, and the music fit the whole scene. 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Be happy and active. 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Compared with the previous, this is the most consistent. 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No more advice.

User 3

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
That sounds ok. 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Excited, cute. 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes, but there seems to be less percussion. 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No more suggestions, it would be better to make the overall tempo more cheerful.

BGM for the second map.( souce/core/assets/sounds/track2.mp3)

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Great! It's similar to what I've seen in previous games. 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Cute! 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes. 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
I don't think I can make any more effective suggestions, as this is already applicable.

User 2

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Yes, consistent with the used environment 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Clear. 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
In accordance with 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No more advice, I think it makes the whole whole more complete.

User 3

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Good. 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Infectious. 3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
yes. 4: Do you have any other suggestions?
I don't think I have any more advice to offer.

Inventory Sound Effects (Designed by team 5, implemented into the game by team 5)

item select

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Sounds fun. Short but suitable.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Cute
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Match
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Not for now.

User 2

item selects 1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Something turned on.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Bip.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Maybe, but it’s a pixel style game, it should be fine.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Maybe a click sound is better.

select switch

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
It is ok to “switch the select”<br? 2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Good.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
It matches.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No, now is good.

User 2

select switch 1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Funny.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Step tone.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Same as the select one.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
May be too long for a simple sound effect.

use item

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Short and suitable.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Interesting.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
It is.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Maybe louder.

User 2

use item 1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Something is powering up.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Cheerful.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No, this one is suitable.

move item

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Nice for “move item”.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
“Move”
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yeah
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Not for now, I think now is good.

User 2

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Funny.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Step tone.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Moving item should be clinking mouse twice, maybe consider to use two sound effects.

drop item

User 1

1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
I think it is very obvious.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Nice.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes, it very much now.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
Sound good now, no further suggestions.

User 2

drop item 1: How do you feel when you hear this music?
Something turned off but not completely off.
2: Please use one word to describe how you feel when listening to music?
Falling.
3: Do you think this piece of music matches the scene it applies to?
Yes.
4: Do you have any other suggestions?
No, this one is suitable.

Summary

1. The achievment sound was designed successfully and already put into the game.
2. Team 8 obstacles sound effects have positive feedbacks and they are already in the game.
3. Player's sound effects doesn't change. Using the old sound effects.
4. Team 5's inventory sound effects have positive feedback.

Overall

The latest version of these musics do match the game according to the user tests feedback.

Further Testing

We may design the bgms for some new screens: "Prop store", "Monster menu" etc. In sprint 4, we may do some user tests for these.