Overview

During my 9th semester, I took part in a game development project through DADIU (The National Academy for Digital Interactive Entertainment), I worked as User Research & QA Manager on Hold Me Closer, a mobile game exploring themes of grief. Our team developed two mini-games and a final graduation game, released on iOS and Android. The role gave me hands-on experience in bridging player insights and development work.

Role

As User Research & QA Manager, I was part of the Lead Team, and I worked closely with the Project Manager, Game Director, Lead Programmer and Game Designers. My responsibilities and tasks included:

Mapping Player Thoughts with ZMET

Early on, I used the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique to explore how players unconsciously connect to grief. Volunteers brought images representing their feelings, and I mapped out patterns that influenced our visuals and game elements. It was fascinating to see how differently people interpreted the same topic, and it reinforced how important early user research is for guiding design.

Bug Tracking & Test Planning

I set up a Trello board with standardized test cases and IDs, which kept the team on the same page and made it easy to reproduce issues. I also created a living test plan that outlined scope, risks, and milestones. Keeping this structured documentation allowed the team to move quickly without losing oversight.

Testing Usability and Narrative

I ran three rounds of player tests: usability, narrative, and appreciation. Usability tests uncovered controls that confused players, which we quickly adjusted. Narrative testing showed that while not all game elements were interpreted exactly as intended, players could “feel” the story, confirming our design was on track. Appreciation surveys later helped us prioritize polish and small improvements that made the game more enjoyable.

Collaborating Across Disciplines

Being part of the lead team meant I acted as a bridge between designers, developers, and the project manager. I learned the value of translating player feedback into actionable changes, and how critical it is to have someone focused on connecting users to the development process.

Impact

• Key usability issues were resolved before launch.
• Narrative elements resonated with players, validating our approach.
• QA processes improved development efficiency and reduced duplicate bug reports.

Reflection

This project taught me how structured processes, player research, and clear communication can directly influence the success of a game. I also discovered the joy of observing players interact with a product and translating their experiences into improvements. It reinforced my passion for roles that sit at the intersection of research, design, and quality assurance. You can watch the trailer to the game below.