What do you need to consider when designing digital experiences that resonate with young players? A leading play company partnered with Sutherland Labs to test game prototypes, aiming to ensure their digital titles lived up to the quality and imagination of their physical toys.
The Challenge
Our client had developed a range of digital games for children aged 6–11, designed for tablet and console platforms. Their brand was trusted in physical play, and they knew that they needed to bring that same quality to the digital world – ensuring that each title delivered an experience that was fun, intuitive, and age-appropriate. We helped them to identify and resolve potential usability issues before launch and validate whether their gameplay mechanics made sense to young players.
Our Approach
We ran in-depth playtesting sessions with small groups of children, using a combination of gameplay observation and moderated discussion.
During these sessions we explored how children navigated the game on tablets, looking at core interactions, frustration points, and delight moments. We also tested how digital gameplay could be integrated with physical elements to maintain engagement and clarity.
This approach focused not only on usability but also developmental understanding – helping the team fine-tune features based on how children learn and play at different stages.
The Outcomes
We identified and addressed critical usability issues prior to launch. The results were more polished, high-quality games aligned with the client’s brand promise, and refined mechanics that felt intuitive, rewarding, and age-appropriate. The insight-led evidence we provided the teams built confidence in their digital roadmaps.
Want to learn more about how we conduct research with children? Visit our specialism page on Kids Research.