Method and apparatus for developing an electronic game using automatic user feedback

Abstract

A method which enables game developers to capture user actions and to automatically solicit user feedback as game events occur, so that game developers can then use this data to “tune” the game to improve a user's experience is disclosed herein. To develop game data, function calls and user inputs are recorded in a log file. Also, players can provide feedback on game play after predetermined events occur (e.g., player finishes level) or through a pause menu. By allowing a development team to better understand a user's experience in game play, the game can be tuned to improve the user's experience.

1 . A method for soliciting feedback from a user within an electronic game, the method comprising: 
 displaying a feedback screen after a predetermined event occurs within a game, wherein the feedback screen contains predetermined feedback options for the user to choose from;    prompting the user to choose to give feedback on the game or to not give feedback on the game;    receiving a selection from the user indicating the user's decision to provide feedback on the game; and    receiving feedback on the game on behalf of the user if a received selection indicates that the user wishes to provide feedback.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein displaying the feedback screen after the predetermined event occurs within a game, wherein the predetermined event is an avatar's death or the completion of a level.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein displaying the feedback screen includes displaying feedback options that are stored in a text file and that can be edited.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein prompting the user to choose to give feedback includes selecting a pause menu or selecting a back button.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein prompting the user to choose to give feedback includes displaying the feedback screen after predetermined events occur and after user inputs are collected in log files.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving a selection from the user includes selecting to provide feedback by using a controller.  
   
   
       7 . A method for capturing user actions within an electronic game, the method comprising: 
 collecting a user's inputs in a log file;    transferring the log file automatically from a game console to a server to facilitate subsequent retrieval and;    retrieving log files from the server.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein transferring the log file automatically from a game console to a server includes automatically initiating an upload of the log file through the game console.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein transferring the log file from a game console to a server includes utilizing an upload code.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein collecting a user's inputs in a log file includes creating a log file with a header containing information pertinent to the log file.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein collecting a user's inputs in a log file includes creating a log file based on function calls made in the game and inputs from a controller.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein retrieving log files from the server includes the server generating reports in different formats.  
   
   
       13 . A system for gauging user experience within an electronic game, the system comprising: 
 means for receiving feedback from a user to gauge user experience;    means for storing feedback in log files;    means for automatically transmitting log files to a server to facilitate subsequent retrieval and;    means for retrieving log files from the server.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the means for receiving feedback from a user includes means for identifying user inputs in a log file.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the means for transmitting log files to a server includes means for having a game console automatically initiate the upload of the log files.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the means for storing feedback includes means for capturing user inputs in log files.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the means for retrieving log files from the server includes means for generating reports in various formats.  
   
   
       18 . A system comprising: 
 a controller recorder that identifies controller inputs;    a set of log files coupled to store user inputs from the controller recorder; and    a server coupled to store user inputs in the log files.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller recorder and the log files are located within a game console.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the server is located outside the game console.  
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: 
 receiving information about events from a controller;    transmitting the information about the events to a log file; and    initiating the upload of the log file to a server.    
   
   
       22 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 21  wherein a game console initiates the upload of the log file to the server.  
   
   
       23 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 21  wherein an upload code is sent to the server.  
   
   
       24 . A method for developing an electronic game based on user feedback, the method comprising: 
 storing log files containing a record of game events and user feedback in a database;    retrieving log files from the database;    analyzing log files to determine ways to improve user experience; and    modifying the game based on user feedback to improve user experience.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein storing log files includes storing log files that record the events within the game.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein storing log files includes storing log files that record user answers to survey questions within the game.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein retrieving log files from the database includes retrieving information about game events and user feedback from the database.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24  wherein analyzing log files includes analyzing information about game events and user feedback from the database.  
   
   
       29 . A method for soliciting feedback from a user within an electronic game, the method comprising: 
 displaying a feedback screen after a predetermined event occurs within a game, wherein the feedback screen contains survey questions for the user to answer;    Allowing the user to move forward in the game only if the user responds to the survey questions; and    Preventing the user from moving forward in the game if the user does not respond to the survey questions.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein displaying the feedback screen after the predetermined event occurs within a game, wherein the predetermined event is an avatar's death or the completion of a level.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein displaying the feedback screen includes displaying survey questions that are stored in a text file and that can be edited.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein allowing the user to move forward in the game includes allowing the user to proceed to a later level or stage within the game.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29  wherein preventing the user from moving forward includes continuing to prompt and to re-prompt the survey questions until the user answers the survey questions.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29  wherein responding to the survey questions includes selecting answers to the survey questions using a controller.