Discovering children's player typologies with playtests

Abstract

Research on player typologies has been focused on games mainly targeted for mature audience. Player typologies are needed for game design and marketing purposes. In order to discover children's player typologies, two playtest sessions were organized. In the playtests, children from 4 to 6 year olds playing a children's safety game were observed. The data gathered was analyzed and results compared to previous research. Five children's player typologies were discovered, with two of those concluded to be unique player typologies of the game. Gleeful players enjoy seeing the negative reaction resulting of incorrect play. Rulers add their own rules to the play. In conclusion, the thesis analyzes and discovers children's player typologies while uncovering playability and usability problems of the game.