Heuristics are a much researched, scientifically studied way to solve usability issues in user interface. However, the way of conducting usability evaluation is based on abstract models. As the heuristics as guidelines are abstract and their interpretation depends on the researcher, the gap between scientifically created heuristics and the practitioners’ methods of developing games has grown.
This study introduces the Explicit Heuristics Design-model (EHD). It has been developed by using design science research methodology. This model can be implemented by using heuristic evaluation and expert evaluation methods. The EHD-model enables the extraction of explicit heuristics data from the games. The hypothesis proposed a connection between the heuristics and the revenue.
The final evaluation phase of the EHD-model revealed that a correlation between the heuristics and the revenue generated by Android mobile fighting games exist. The EHD-model was also able to point out the most important heuristics affecting the generated revenue.
This study reduces the gap between the scientific community and practitioners. It offers the scientific community a new view and results concerning heuristics and the practitioners a tool to enhance the profitability of a game
