a FAQ on games user research
a dedicated post so I don't have to keep repeating myself in LinkedIn DMs 🫢
Last Updated: February 2024
Table of Contents
General / Basic Questions
Q: What is User Research (or User Experience [UX] Research, Games User Research, Consumer Insights Researcher)?
A: The process of conducting research to help developers design and build an experience that best fits its users' needs. This includes research in early stages of development (i.e. incubation, generating ideas) to later stages of production.
Q: How did you start doing User Research?
A: As I was searching for post-graduate market research opportunities in film & TV, I learned that my social science and consumer insights background largely overlapped with the skill set of a User Researcher. I applied for my first UX Research position in the entertainment streaming industry and quickly familiarized myself with UX principles and usability while onboarding to the role. I've been doing User Research ever since!
Q: What does your day-to-day look like?
A: On any given day, I am doing a mixture of one or more of the following:
Stakeholder management, interviews
Expert interviews
Literature reviews, desk research
Writing screeners and surveys
Writing scripts for playtests, usability tests, interviews, or focus groups
Conducting playtests, usability tests, interviews, or focus groupsÂ
Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
Writing and sharing journey maps or reports
Q: Should I focus on qualitative or quantitative skills/methodologies as a researcher?
A: Quantitative methods are more likely to be in higher demand in the job market; however, I always say you should specialize in whatever you're most passionate about!
Q: Could you explain the difference between Market Research and User Research?
A: Borrowing this breakdown by David Travis:
Market Research is primarily focused on two things: Awareness and Positioning of a product. It's a discipline that has a product-centered approach because their goal is to do research around the product. Market Research, or Consumer Insights, also tends to focus on the positives because they use that information to help sell the product.
User Research is focused on identifying what peoples' needs are irrespective of the product that is being designed. It has a human-centered approach because their goal is to do research around peoples' needs. User Research tends to focus on the negative because they want to iterate and improve the product for its users.
At some companies Consumer Insights Researchers may be doing Market Research, User Research, or both so watch out for that if you’re interviewing.
Interview Questions/Advice
Q: Do you have advice for interviewing?
A: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission and values and reflect on when in your career you have demonstrated those same values or goals. These are stories that you should be ready to recall in most behavioral-focused interviews. Another good preparation strategy is to use the STAR interviewing method.
Q: Do I need a portfolio?
A: In my experience, portfolio requirements are a toss-up. Some companies ask for them; others do not. The reality is that a lot of User Research work is under non-disclosure agreements (NDA) and/or not yet publicly released. As such, some companies will instead have you perform case study work as part of the interview process. In short, I think portfolios should be optional, but it is possible that some companies or studios may ask you for one.
For Gen Z or Alpha applicants, the field is a lot more competitive so having a portfolio will definitely help you stand out.
Q: How do I create a portfolio if a lot of my work is still in-development or under NDA?
A: This is something that most companies should be aware of, but feel free to communicate this upfront with your recruiter or hiring manager if a portfolio is requested. If they would still like to see you present a portfolio, feel free to create dummy versions of data and the feature or product that you supported. Here are some of the things that hiring managers look for in a portfolio that do not rely on real data:
Whether you worked with a team or on your own
A well articulated thought process of research methods and process based on constraints
General outcomes and impact on the team
Riot-Specific Questions
Note: I no longer work at Riot as of November 2023.
Q: How is it working at Riot?
A: Riot has an awesome balance of professionalism and fun. Everyone is super smart and talented and the company provides a lot of great benefits. I felt really well taken care of as an employee. Having said that, there are some professionals who have no experience working anywhere outside of Riot. Trying to bring an outside perspective of what good looks like or new ways of doing things (even when they are considered standard across the games industry) can be difficult.
Q: Can you tell me what you worked on at Riot?
A: I worked in Research and Development, which means most, if not all, of my work was classified so I cannot say - sorry! Please check out Riot's R&D Office page for information and future updates!
​​​Q: Can you give me (blank) (e.g. gun buddy, RP)?
A: I am very happy that I don’t have to worry about these kinds of questions anymore, lol.
Other/Misc Questions
Q: Can you tell me when (blank) will be fixed? Can you tell me when (blank) will be released?
A: For bug issues, please contact the appropriate channels for reporting! Otherwise, per non-disclosure agreements, developers usually are not allowed to comment on these types of topics freely.
Q: Could you tell me more about (blank) position at (insert company)?
​A: If you see me personally advertising a role on social media, yes, happy to do so (to the best of my ability)!
If that is not the case and I do not know you personally, then I will most likely ignore these kind of messages to protect my personal boundaries. I am not familiar with every position that we have open and it takes time/effort to track down this information. If you're interested in a specific position and think you're a good fit, I encourage you to apply and ask more questions of the recruiter or hiring manager who is assigned to that role.Â
Q: Can you refer me / give me a referral for a job at (insert company)?
​A: Unless I know you personally and can confidently vouch for your professional background or skills, no.
Q: I have other questions that are not addressed on your FAQ. Can I reach out and ask more?
​A: Due to my existing commitments, I am not offering office hours or coffee chats for people not in my existing network.
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