GAME: Game As a Measurement Environment: Scheme to Evaluate Interfaces and Game Contents Based on Test Theories

Although many computer games have become diversified in recent years, much effort and ingenuity are needed to produce games that persons with visual impairments can enjoy. However, game developers face difficulties in adjusting the parameters of these games, including difficulty and interface features, because the control skills and disability conditions of gamers vary. Thus, it is essential to establish a scheme to evaluate game interfaces and stages with individuals trials with a short time. In this study, our purpose is to propose and establish the concept of GAME (Game As a Measurement Environment) that can evaluate game interfaces and stages. This concept aims to divide a game stage into substages and then randomly allocate them to the stage. Then, the generated stage records the play logs and play conditions and then analyzes them logs based on test theories, including classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). Based on the analysis of the gathered play logs of side-scroller action games, our concept could clarify the relationship between the stage contents, interface effects, and players skills and disabilities.