USABILITY EVALUATION FRAMEWORK FOR MOBILE GAMES FOR LDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

The success of mobile game is measured based on the experiences of its players. Usability of mobile games is of great importance because their success depends on the principles of usability. The criteria for judging the success of mobile games can be defined by the level of user’s satisfaction and user’s interaction with the user interface of mobile games. Mobile games have positive impact on the health of elder adults. Benefits of mobile games for elder adults includes reducing depression, improving decision-making, enhancing abilities of cognitive control and improving mental and emotional health. In this research benefits and challenges faced by elder adults while playing mobile games are presented. Motivational factors which motivate elder people to play the mobile games are identified. A framework of usability evaluation is proposed and a prototype of mobile game is developed for elder adults. A survey was conducted for the purpose of collecting data from elder adults of age 50 or above. The survey conducted in this research comprises of two rounds initial survey and PostStudy survey. Based on the responses of participants in the first round, a prototype of mobile game for elder adults was developed. Results of both rounds analyses the defined objectives of the research and problems of usability faced by elder adults in mobile games were also identified. In the end it is evaluated that the developed prototype mobile game can enhance the aspects of usability among elder adults.