Focus Testing on Pirate Graphics - 2/16/05
2-16-05
Pirate Game Graphics Focus Test
Zia Middle School
The team went to Zia Middle School to test graphics with the target audience for “Poop Deck Pirates” (PDP). The test began by asking the students if they understood why Ag Comm team was there. They responded that they had a vague idea that we were going to be creating games and wanted their advice on “something.”
The students were then asked two preliminary questions:
1. What are your favorite cartoon characters?
Students appeared to have no trouble answering this question. They responded with a wide variety of cartoons: Sponge Bob, South Park, Warner Bros., Tom & Jerry, Winnie the Pooh, Strawberry Shortcake, Family Guy, Simpsons, yu-gi-oh etc. I asked this question because I wanted to know if the group had a particular preference for any cartoon style. Their answers demonstrate that a wide variety of cartoons appeal including those designed for different age groups. For example, the Simpsons and Family Guy are intended for more mature audiences while Pooh and Shortcake are for a younger age group than themselves.
2. What are your favorite video games?
Again, the students chimed in with numerous video games they liked. They were:
GTA, Halo 1 & 2, Medal of Honor, Tony Hawk, NBA, NFL, Super Mario series
As expected, the students like all the big name/production games. When asked about some of the old-school arcade style games they quickly added that they liked Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.
We then broke the 20 students into 5 groups of 4 students and distributed to each group color printouts of the illustrations.
After a short time to view they were asked the following questions:
1. Who are these people?
The most common answer was pirates. This was after the kids saw all the characters as a group. Individual drawings received different results. A common answer for “BlueBeard” was hobo. The cabin boy was thought to be a pilgrim or revolutionary war soldier. One kid said they were all “bad guys”.
I am fairly happy with the responses. Most students saw them as pirates, especially when viewed as a group. When asked who they thought was in charge most picked the character designed to be the captain. However, she was also referred to as Captain Oprah. Several students also successfully picked out “Gray Beard” as the first mate. The “Cook” character was instantly recognized and seemed to appeal to all. The parrot was also appealing them.
2. What do you like most about the characters?
A few of the students said they liked the cartoon style of the drawings. One specifically noted the “rough edges” giving the characters a different look.
3. What do you like least about the characters?
The only clear answer I received was that some of the kids don’t like cartoons, thinking they are for “little kids”. Some said they would prefer more realistic characters. 3D
4. Do you like the style of the drawing?
Many said “yes” but did not elaborate on why. A few said “no” and refer to the question above for why.
5. In regards to clothing; What is more important; historical accuracy or funny?
Most students said that historical accuracy was important. A couple of students seemed to be open and prefer that there be a modern twist to the attire (and I’d assume extends to possible overall design). “Bling-bling” was mentioned. Some students were very open to the fantasy aspect of the characters; others not so open.
6. What do pirates eat?
Fish, seafood
7. What kind of games could we make with pirates?
Boarding ships, searching for treasure, using maps.
The students were then handed a sheet that had all the characters on it and asked to give each of the characters a name. They were also asked to note if any of the characters did not fit in with the others. They came up with many interesting names for each of the characters. Many were inappropriate (even for pirates) but there were a few gems that I will summarize at the next PDP meeting. Only two students stated that one of the characters ”did not belong”. That character was the cabin boy. I do not find this troubling. That character is supposed to be different from the other pirates and I feel within the context of the game he would have his place.
They were also asked to think of a name for the ship that these pirates might sail on. We got a few names:
The Destroyer
Sword of the Sea
Black Ship
The Big Fighter
El Capitan
El Barco Creido
The Phantom
The Concepts
The Soar
Results
Every student had their own ideas as to what the characters should be. Some students told me that we should not do pirates but we should create a game like Lord of the Rings. Others wanted sports games and others wanted a Grand Theft Auto clone. Some kids disliked the whole fantasy aspect of the game altogether.
I think the kids liked the characters, for the most part and are OK with the style of drawing. As printed illustrations on a page I think they held up pretty well.
Pirate Game Graphics Focus Test
Zia Middle School
The team went to Zia Middle School to test graphics with the target audience for “Poop Deck Pirates” (PDP). The test began by asking the students if they understood why Ag Comm team was there. They responded that they had a vague idea that we were going to be creating games and wanted their advice on “something.”
The students were then asked two preliminary questions:
1. What are your favorite cartoon characters?
Students appeared to have no trouble answering this question. They responded with a wide variety of cartoons: Sponge Bob, South Park, Warner Bros., Tom & Jerry, Winnie the Pooh, Strawberry Shortcake, Family Guy, Simpsons, yu-gi-oh etc. I asked this question because I wanted to know if the group had a particular preference for any cartoon style. Their answers demonstrate that a wide variety of cartoons appeal including those designed for different age groups. For example, the Simpsons and Family Guy are intended for more mature audiences while Pooh and Shortcake are for a younger age group than themselves.
2. What are your favorite video games?
Again, the students chimed in with numerous video games they liked. They were:
GTA, Halo 1 & 2, Medal of Honor, Tony Hawk, NBA, NFL, Super Mario series
As expected, the students like all the big name/production games. When asked about some of the old-school arcade style games they quickly added that they liked Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.
We then broke the 20 students into 5 groups of 4 students and distributed to each group color printouts of the illustrations.
After a short time to view they were asked the following questions:
1. Who are these people?
The most common answer was pirates. This was after the kids saw all the characters as a group. Individual drawings received different results. A common answer for “BlueBeard” was hobo. The cabin boy was thought to be a pilgrim or revolutionary war soldier. One kid said they were all “bad guys”.
I am fairly happy with the responses. Most students saw them as pirates, especially when viewed as a group. When asked who they thought was in charge most picked the character designed to be the captain. However, she was also referred to as Captain Oprah. Several students also successfully picked out “Gray Beard” as the first mate. The “Cook” character was instantly recognized and seemed to appeal to all. The parrot was also appealing them.
2. What do you like most about the characters?
A few of the students said they liked the cartoon style of the drawings. One specifically noted the “rough edges” giving the characters a different look.
3. What do you like least about the characters?
The only clear answer I received was that some of the kids don’t like cartoons, thinking they are for “little kids”. Some said they would prefer more realistic characters. 3D
4. Do you like the style of the drawing?
Many said “yes” but did not elaborate on why. A few said “no” and refer to the question above for why.
5. In regards to clothing; What is more important; historical accuracy or funny?
Most students said that historical accuracy was important. A couple of students seemed to be open and prefer that there be a modern twist to the attire (and I’d assume extends to possible overall design). “Bling-bling” was mentioned. Some students were very open to the fantasy aspect of the characters; others not so open.
6. What do pirates eat?
Fish, seafood
7. What kind of games could we make with pirates?
Boarding ships, searching for treasure, using maps.
The students were then handed a sheet that had all the characters on it and asked to give each of the characters a name. They were also asked to note if any of the characters did not fit in with the others. They came up with many interesting names for each of the characters. Many were inappropriate (even for pirates) but there were a few gems that I will summarize at the next PDP meeting. Only two students stated that one of the characters ”did not belong”. That character was the cabin boy. I do not find this troubling. That character is supposed to be different from the other pirates and I feel within the context of the game he would have his place.
They were also asked to think of a name for the ship that these pirates might sail on. We got a few names:
The Destroyer
Sword of the Sea
Black Ship
The Big Fighter
El Capitan
El Barco Creido
The Phantom
The Concepts
The Soar
Results
Every student had their own ideas as to what the characters should be. Some students told me that we should not do pirates but we should create a game like Lord of the Rings. Others wanted sports games and others wanted a Grand Theft Auto clone. Some kids disliked the whole fantasy aspect of the game altogether.
I think the kids liked the characters, for the most part and are OK with the style of drawing. As printed illustrations on a page I think they held up pretty well.
posted by Matt Byrnes at 11:00 AM
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