Midterm Paper
Revised 9-28-09
The midterm assignment is a 4-5 double-spaced page paper discussing the usability of Eve Online. Each of you must download the free trial of Eve and playtest the game for a minimum of three hours. I highly recommend you spend more time playing the game if you are able to.
To download the game, go here to sign up for the trial. Then follow the instructions to download and install the client.
Once you have downloaded the game, open the client, log in and create a new character. If you intend to play the game longer then required for the assignment, don't choose a race/line combination that gives you bonus points in charisma and don't put any of your discretionary points in charisma either. Split them evenly amongst the other categories.
After you create your character, enter and play the game for at least three hours over the next few days. I highly recommend you complete the tutorials. Eve is a very complex game and you will get confused easily if you skip the tutorial.
After playing the game, write a four to five page paper describing:
1. The usability elements in interface and gameplay design that work well and are intuitive, functional, and accessible.
2. The elements in the gameplay and interface that lack usability.
3. Recommendations to improve these elements that are lacking.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The first sentence of anything you write is the most important. As such, if there is a major spelling or grammar error in your first sentence, I will lower your grade by one letter. Feel free to email me your sentence (or paper) before the due date and I will be happy to review it for you.
Grading will be as follows:
25% - Well working elements
25% - Elements that lack usability
25% - Suggestions for improvement
15% - Introduction and conclusion
10% - Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Papers are due Wednesday, October 7. Late papers will lose one letter grade per week.
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