The Research Lab is a state-of-the-art 3 room facility with a one-way mirror, audio and video recording, and design studio space for teams to brainstorm new games. Meet Our Fearless Research Team: Julie, Research Manager (a.k.a. Fun-ologist), has a passion for understanding what makes gamers "tick." She listens to customers and is always curious to hear what makes games fun to play and play repeatedly. Think of her as a chef constantly asking diners’ input to improve a recipe. Kelly, Market Researcher (a.k.a. Survey Guru and Number Nerd), leads survey and focus groups for Big Fish Games. Surveys are typically online and focused on customer feedback. If you are opinionated, your survey feedback gets devoured by Kelly! Christine, Research Coordinator (a.k.a. Martha Stewart event planner), does careful recruiting to make sure the “right” participant gives feedback for each game. She handles all the party planning logistics of lab research like equipment set-up, consent forms, budgeting, and thank you notes for all usability testing, focus groups, and phone interviews. Fun Facts: - Recent survey topics include, plush fish, customer expectations, and Mystery Case files on the DS. - The Lab has 5 cameras and a microphone, which makes it fun and easy to watch the player play the game and her expressions while she is giving feedback. - The Research Team has talked to participants all over North America! - Data is collected in a variety of different ways: 1 on 1 sessions, Group events, sessions or “Bashes,” Focus groups, and Remote Interviews. - During Remote Testing volunteers give opinions and get a sneak preview of our latest prototypes of games from their own homes while we ask questions. How is data collected? We collect data through cameras, microphones, and observing through the one-way mirror and monitors. The recording equipment is set up in the “secret back room” and Christine configures the video and audio recording while researchers log notes to create highlight clips to share with the company. Who gets to sit in the “secret back room” (aka observation room and think tank and design studio) and what are they doing back there? The “secret back room” is a multi-purpose room for observing 1 on 1 testing and focus groups. We also use it when designing new games and for mapping out new ideas. After research, the team debriefs ideas that lead right into the re-design of the game with engineers, game designers, researchers, and product teams. It’s a comfortable and inspiring place to toss around innovative solutions. We’re lucky that everyone at Big Fish Games (from all corners of the company) drops in to watch gamers in action and the teams understand the importance of designing games with fresh input from new and existing customers. Typically 4 – 8 people watch in real-time and others watch recorded highlight clips and read the results summary. What’s the coolest feature of the lab? I think the coolest feature is how the lab is flexible to be configured for all types of research events. The cameras, mics, and even tables and computers can all be moved for solo and multi-player game research. How do you select participants? Who we invite depends on the research goals. If we are learning about purchasing a new game on Big Fish Games for the first time, we talk to people who have never visited our web site so we can test their very first reaction to the experience. However, if we want to test a new game, we may invite current players. Does any of this sound cool or intriguing? If so, Sign up for future research events here. Depending on the type and length of a research event, we offer incentives, such as game coupons, t-shirts, Starbucks cards, Amazon e-cards, and cash, for your feedback. Please feel free to forward this invitation to other friends and family who play online games! Answers to Player Submitted Riddles: 1) Time 2) A Leaf 3) Russell 4) Apple 5) Hair Thanks again to all the awesome Autumn Riddles everyone sent it! Keep those cranial lobes sharp with Riddle O’Day. Your opinion matters! Email me directly at michelle@bigfishgames.com to share your praise, critiques, and suggestions. Don't suffer through exasperating problems that hinder your game play. Let Big Fish Games Support lend a helping hand. -Michelle Build-a-lot 3: Passport to Europe  Exclusive Travel all over Europe restoring rundown homes to their former grandeur in this expansive Time Management game! Build your curb appeal with fresh coats of paint and enticing landscaping. Stay on top of the needs of the neighborhood, averting crises and calming noisy neighbors. With tons of developmental decisions and eye-catching upgrades, today`s market is ripe for Build-a-lot 3: Passport to Europe! Learn More Steve the Sheriff Help Steve the sheriff recover missing treasures in this thrilling Hidden Object game! Search the town and speak with citizens to uncover the location of Neptuneville`s stolen artifacts. Scour a multitude of levels for the pilfered prizes and sharpen your sleuthing skills with exciting mini-games. Can you decipher the clues and solve the mystery of the vanishing statue, key, and streetlight? Play Now © 2003 - 2008 Big Fish Games, Inc. Patents pending. All rights reserved. Big Fish Games, The Big Fish Games Logo, Big Fish Studios, and My Game Space are trademarks or registered trademarks of Big Fish Games, Inc.