Applying Design Thinking for Prototyping a Game Controller

Abstract

Game controllers design is undergoing a major shift due to the disruptive forces of new paradigms of interaction and a wide set of game genres. With so many approaches involving this device, in this work we want to address the challenge of generating ideas for a totally new and innovative game controller that pleases its players. In order to achieve this objective, we applied a set of Design Thinking techiques such as one day in life, empathy map, persona, ideation workshop, paper prototyping and experimental tests. The results have shown that the techniques were useful in informing and guiding idea generation and were perceived as appealing. Drawing on observations and participants feedbacks, we reflect on the strengths of using this methodology to develop games controllers and discuss some of the needs that they still have.