Getting to Know Your Guests

This chapter focuses on building relationships with stakeholders both inside and outside the game development team to align the user research approach with team goals. By reviewing documentation, playing the game, and engaging in conversations, user researchers can better understand creative vision, player fantasy, and intended player experience, together with the needs and challenges of the team. In small or indie studios, conversations can be enough, but in mid-sized teams, tools like Mendelow’s matrix support methodically mapping stakeholder influence and interest to guide effective communication during research. Discussions with stakeholders can also reveal gaps in the creative vision that can reduce the value of research if they are not explored and discussed with the development team. Mapping stakeholders helps prioritize efforts, navigate studio dynamics, and deliver relevant insights.