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The Comparison of
Two Digital Distributing Platforms:
and
UX Test Findings
Table of Contents
Introduction: 3
Methodology: 3
Tasks: 3
Metric: 4
Likert Scale:4
Results: 5
Task 1: Visit the website and install the digital distribution platform 5-6
Task 2: Test user registration 7
Task 3: Browse related products (videogames) the platforms offer 8
Task 4: Test the purchasing of a product 9
Task 5: Test the accountability of the community (game reviews) 10
Task 6: Test the platform support 11-12
Task 7: Test the management of account settings and security 13-14
Task 8: Organize owned games based on interest 15
Task 9: Test the management of online friends 16
Task 10: Access and test the compatibility for (VR) support 17
Summary and Recommendation: 18
Total Score: 18
References: 19
Appendix: Metric Scale: 20-29
Miller 3
Introduction
This document is a usability analysis of the online websites of Steam and Origin.
Each hosts a different digital distributor, which are the primary focuses in this
document. The examination and comparison of both distributors takes place to
determine which distributer has more comprehensive and thorough features. This
document allows any inexperienced PC gamer to familiarize his or herself with the
features of both Steam and Origin. In doing so, he or she will become competent in
searching video games suited best for his or her needs.
Steam is a free digital distribution platform, and it is hosted by a company named
Valve. Steam has added several new features since its release in 2003, resulting in its
ever-growing popularity. Eight years later, Origin was released. Hosted by the
company Electronic Arts, also known as EA, Origin is the byproduct of EA
removing all of its own products off of Steam, resulting in a platform containing
exclusive content that is not featured on Steam.
Methods
Tasks
1) Visit the website and install the digital distribution platform
2) Test user registration
3) Browse related products (videogames) the platforms offer
4) Test the purchasing of a product
5) Test the accountability of the community (game reviews)
6) Test the platform support.
7) Test the management of account settings and security
8) Organize owned games based on interest
9) Test the management of online friends
10) Access and test the compatibility for VR support
Miller 4
Metrics:
Effective: I could complete this task
Efficient: I could perform this task in a timely manner
Engaging: The Platform helped to make the experience satisfying
Error Tolerant: The platform helped solve errors related to my problem
Easy to learn: The access to the platforms content and options were easy to learn
Likert Scale:
Each of the five metrics below were used to evaluate the test and are based off the
metrics used above.
Strongly
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Table 1: Likert Scale
Miller 5
Results:
Task 1: Visit the website and install the digital distribution platform
To begin testing any content related to these platforms, the installation of both Steam and Origin
must take place first.
Steam: Installing Steam is quite simple since it is free. Simply go to the link
http://store.steampowered.com/about/ and click Install Steam.
It was proven that steam is easy to install. Upon entering the website, the installation button is
most likely the first thing that will pop out since it is a bright green color.
Steam takes approximately 10-15 minutes to download and does not offer much of a visually-
pleasing experience.
Figure 2: steam installing
Miller 6
Compared to steam, Origin is slightly more difficult to install. The Download button may
already confuse a use since the terminology is slightly different. The Download button is also
relatively small and not as easy to distinguish as Steams Install Steam button; it is a tinted
grey color rather than a bright green color.
Figure 3: Download Origin
When the installation process occurs, Origin is much faster than Steam. It only takes about 3
minutes, and it offers visually appealing art based on the products they offer.
On the other hand, Origins user registration is slightly more complex than Steams. It requires
the future user to provide the account name, password, email and a security question. Even
though this process takes some additional time, this
is a much safer way to protect a user account.
When browsing possible games from Origin, the process is much simpler and less time-
consuming.
There are a lot fewer options to choose from, which made the process of choosing a game easier,
but this process was a lot less
visually stimulating compared to
Steams.
After clicking on Steam Support, the platform brings the user to a highly-developed list of
error categories, each containing other sub-categories so Steam can help solve the users
problem. Steam performs well in this field as many problems can arise. Steam does its best not
only to mitigate the problems that arise but also to solve them in a timely manner. Depending on
the problem (there could be thousands of possible errors), Steam helps guide the user to resolve
the issue.
Figure 15: Steam
support options
Miller 12
Origin has a simple way of handling problems as there are a lot fewer possible issues with Origin
than there are with Steam.
When doing this task, I found it odd that when clicking Origins Help tab, nothing came up,
and for this I gave Origin a bad rating in this task. If I were to have a problem, I would have to
refer to the internet independently rather than be directed to a more precise location for
resolution that Steam could offer.
Figure 17
Miller 14
Upon further inspection during this task, accounts can look way better than the one assigned to
you at the start. Theres so much going on in this one page that is may be more difficult to
understand.
Figure 18
Although the initial creation of a Steam profile is not secure, Steam provides a very secure way
to handle an account. It provides a feature to protect an account with an authenticator which is
either linked to your cell phone or email. Once an authentication code is sent to the users
preferred device, the user must type the code in the box to enter the account and gain complete
access, which is a feature Origin does not have.
Origins method for a user handling his or her account settings is much simpler than Steams, but
it does not provide as much customization and has little visual appeal to it.
Figure 19
Miller 15
When trying to manage games on Origin, the process is not as appealing as Steams. Origins
way of categorizing games is based on what you have purchased, and there is no real way of
organizing games.
Figure 21
Miller 16
Origins way of managing friends is locked onto the tool bar itself instead of being in its own
area like Steams way. On this toolbar, click on Add Friend, in which a username search bar
shows up. In this search bar, type in the name of the person you would like to add. This process
is simple, direct and easy. With Steam, this process becomes more difficult because you must
search for his or her exact username, and this must be the first username of his or her Steam
account. Since anyone can change his or her username at any time (even during gameplay), it
becomes more difficult to search for people you know. Also, since Steam is more popular, you
have to search through the thousands of other Steam users with the same name.
Figure 23
Miller 17
Task 10: Access and test the compatibility for Virtual Reality (VR)
support
This task was easy. Unlike Origin, Steam offers VR support for games. To find out if my device
was compatible with Steam VR, I downloaded this utility.
My device was, in fact, not ready for VR. This means that if I wanted to buy a VR headset, I
would have to upgrade my computer. This is a helpful utility because if I were to go out and buy
a VR headset, I would have wasted my money, or I wouldve had to spend a lot more money
than I expected to since I wouldve had to upgrade to a new computer. Also, the program is very
easy to run.
Figure 24
Miller 18
Total Score
Likert Scale Steam Origin
Total: 226 170
Out of: 250 250
Miller 19
References:
http://store.steampowered.com/about/
https://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/steam_origin_logos3_over.jpg
https://www.origin.com/usa/en-us/store
Miller 20
Origin
Install/Download digital distributor off website
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 2 The Creation of an Account
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
The Creation of an Account
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 1 Browse Products and Games
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Browse Products and Games
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 1
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Product Steam
Task 5 Research Products through the community
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Research products through the community
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 6 Access support Features
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Access support Features
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 7 Organize and manage products
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Organize and manag products
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 8 Finding new friends and managing them
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Finding new friends and managing them
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 9 Manage account settings
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Manage account settings
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Product Steam
Task 10 Play VR
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors
Origin
Play VR
Effective I was able to complete the task
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Efficient I was able to perform this task
in a timely manner
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Engaging The software helped to make
the experience satisfying
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Error Tolerant The software helped solve errors