Crab animation user testing notes

Initial user testing

1. Describe your first impressions of the crab

User 1:

• Very good as an enemy because he almost camouflages into the water → very sneaky in this regard and hence looks like he is going to surprise the main character with an attack
• Fits the theme of Atlantis because crabs have been around for “hundreds and thousands of years and are a very old animal”
• Looks very angry

User 2:

• Immediately associates pirate hat with danger because of the skull symbol and hence crab looks like an enemy
• Likes the very angry face as it shows the character is determined to cause damage
• When it does move around the screen, it's very quick and rapid which is what you would expect for a crab as they are "always shown scurrying quickly on sand"

2. How would you expect the crab to move in the game? Why is that?

User 1:

• Probably more than likely sideways but because of his legs, he would also be able to maneuver around in all directions
• His legs would move very fast as he would be running around everywhere
• Could also float in the water
• Should lash out with the hook and his large claw to show danger and threaten the main character

User 2:

• Legs moving as he scurries around
• Stab something/someone with the hook
• Face becomes more angry as he approaches the main character - the image they’re referencing is how animated bulls become angrier as they begin to charge towards humans in cartoons

User testing of animations

1. Describe if you feel these animations fit the enemy character. Why or why not?

User 1:

• They do fit the enemy character
• Feel aggressive because the crab is moving its hook down and crushing with its claw
• Also feels like the crab is very impatient to do damage as its moving quickly around the screen

User 2:

• Eyebrows moving down is really good as it's menacing and aggressive which fits the enemy character well
• The moving of arms is also threatening
• The arms movements could be even more threatening though if they were made bigger

2. Describe how damaging you believe these attack motions would be if the crab collided with the main character

User 1:

• Comparatively, the claw crushing would be more damaging than being hit by the hook
• Overall would be very damaging to main character

User 2:

• The claw would have a better attack than the hook because it would cause more damage if the crab were to hit the main character
• Think it would partially knock the main character - potentially disarm them
• Certainly not fatal damage though

3. Do you have any improvements for these animations

User 1:

• Not at all
• Really like the fact the crab's eyes squint - it makes the enemy look more realistic and angrier

User 2:

• Legs could move when it moves to make it more realistic