User research

User Research

Rhythm game used to be one of the dominating genre in the game industry. It is famous in the arcade. Many people would gather around the arcade machine to see people battle among each other. However, today rhythm games are dying.

Rhythm video games are viral in the past. Games such as "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" are played everywhere. Below are the example of the two rhythm game:

Guitar Hero

Rock Band

However, rhythm games are dying fast today. People lose interest quickly because too many similar of them came out at the same time. And also all of the interactions are similar without any difference. Therefore people get bored quickly with the game. The other reason of people neglecting these machines is because some say they would rather play and learn a real instrument instead of a fake one. Both of the media serves a same purpose, why play a fake one?

From the research above, I've realize why rhythm games are dying fast; their interaction are too similar, repeated movements and tapping on the beats. The thing which is different is the difficulty.

Therefore, in my opinion, why Patapon is still being mentioned today is because of it's fresh and new idea of the interaction with the beats. Each combination of the beat serves different purposes, which make the game seems like something new. 

Of course there are different machines in the world with today's technology, tracking people's movement and gestures which are also a new interaction. However, in my final project I want to do a smaller scale of a fresh idea on interaction using rhythm game - mobile devices.

Reference:
http://versavulture89.hubpages.com/hub/Rhythm-Games-Are-They-Still-Relevant
http://rhythmcaster.com/blog/competitive-rhythm-games-part-1


Casual Mobile Gamer
Who usually plays mobile game is those casual gamer. Most casual games shares similar basic features:

- Simple game play, e.g. puzzle game that can be played using one button
- Allowing game play in short bursts, during breaks or on transportation
- The ability to reach final stage in a short time
- 2D, abstract graphics
- Ability to play anytime, anywhere

Casual gamers are those who will usually play mobile games to kill-time when they are bored or free. Indifferent with hardcore gamers which are very much into the game and able to spend a lot of times on the game.