@DaBoo I checked it out. There are tons of remarkable things to say about it; good and bad.
I will focus on the bad parts. Though not a complete list, here are a few observations while holding target the task, not the content in mind:
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I didn’t know where or how to start the game.
It was a challenge, never mind the riddle.
It took some time, but I think I get it now. Slight changes in UI may help others save time.
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The menu at the bottom was not linked correctly.
Put simply, if the screen has the menu at the bottom, do not use the back arrow at the top left on the same screen. … MOST of the time. I think in your case, here.
Use the back arrows on screens without bottom menus; when visiting a sub-page, or detailed info.
And each tab on the bottom menu should be linked to every other tab in the bottom menu.
I can’t navigate in that manner, as is, on your app.
If this is not clear, open up some of your favorite apps and a take careful note of how back arrows and main (bottom) menus are used. (or not used together in that manner)
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Test users in person
Run your user tests by saying, “This is a whoodunnit game. Please play it. While you are playing, I want you to vocalize the thoughts in your head, as you are thinking them”
An example of what your tester may say: “Ok, start the game, notes, team, evidence. where do I start… what does this do? Oh, why can’t I … oh, that’s cool. … OHOH, I know… but, where do I” etc.
When testing sit back, watch, and listen closely. DO NOT ASK, HELP, NOR LEAD the witness … I mean, the user testing your app;) If they are having tough time, it is important that you don’t interfere. The goal here is to watch them suffer through your app. So, you can fix the app. NOT the user; during the test.
Don’t make changes to your app until you have tested 10-15+ people… look for trends. There is only so much quality in the feedback you will receive by sharing online. I have seen some startups go as far as to use secondary monitors during testing, so the whole team can view the testers in real-time, whilst taking notes. (For over-achievers only)
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About the NOTES tab…. I don’t like the back-n-forthness of it all.
I wish notes were accessible on every screen. In a real case, a witness can be a suspect; and me, the investigator, may change my mind about people’s roles at anytime during the investigation / game…
Off the top of my head…
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I would put “notes” & “answer vault” together, using a pop-up modal. Not as a part of the main menu at the bottom, but it’s own distinct looking button at the top, or floating button at the bottom - I want to take notes & give the answer in the same place at anytime.
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I would put the PDFs in the app – Perhaps I don’t know your reasoning… but, as is, seems like a pointless wild goose chase. If you need to print them. print them. if this is being taught online, ok, I get it; students can print… unless you’re grading handwriting … not seeing the purpose of the pdf. put the copy in the app. … and group it appropriately.
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acknowledgements, team, & workshop should go together ON THEIR OWN TAB. I guess on the team tab. (or rename it) Acknowledgements & workshop are not part of the game. Don’t confuse me by putting them together. That was actually a huge distraction that mislead and wasted a lot of time.
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The home screen - I would redesign it. This is kind of opinionated, so I won’t go into detail. I would delete the search icon button at the top. I understand why you are using it. However, it’s a bit of a mistake because, as a user, I am expecting to be able to do an actual search. … like in this Adalo site, Google, or any other site. Use it as an illustration or search; NOT a link to a screen. Perhaps make the text bigger. … I’ll leave it at that.
This looks like it took an incredible amount of time to put together. And the game even takes a bit of time to play. More time than I have at the moment. But, I hope this feedback helps.
Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions or if you make updates.
I may poke around more, or even try to solve it if I get some more free time.
Again, great job with the audio, the storyline…etc. Let alone, making it an ESL lesson. I am sure that if students CAN USE it, they WILL and love it!
Much respect. Keep going! Keep polishing!
