I’ve experienced many approaches to product development. Early incorporation of UX can produce a cascading effect facilitating smooth transitions between ideation and evaluation. Sometimes back-steps are necessary to ask the appropriate questions in order to move on. Understanding how solutions apply to questions in a cohesive manner is the glue UX uses to stick players in a fun and engaging experience. A good UX designer should be able to help planning these questions so solutions can be made just in time, facilitating development as much as the product.

After MGS, I pulled together designers and developers along with some ideas in an effort to create our own game. One of our goals was to be able to bring shooters and RPGers together in a properly balanced multiplayer engagement. One of the problems I’ve identified is a 3D spatialization difference in the way these player types perceive the virtual environments. This affects controls and interaction with the game and creates a barrier to fun. This information can be used to plan for challenges to be overcome before moving ahead. Setting up the entire process to benefit from research to ideation and on to the final product.