Overview:

In interviews, gamers struggle to remember even their favorite game narratives (in contrast to other media), only remembering big moments or characters in isolation. In response, Microsoft Studios' user research group developed a narrative usability method to test story early in production, allowing for iteration driven by player experience. Narrative usability can identify twists that don't work and conclusions that are confusing, removing understanding blockers so that characters can shine. This allows for experimental testing, which builds character profiles based on players' experience, tracking changing perceptions of dynamic characters, and ensuring the designer's vision and a compelling experience.