Investigating UX in Brazilian Digital Game Development: Practices, Challenges and Lifecycle

Felippe Fernandes da Silva; Mariana Santos de Jesus Alexandre; Guilherme Corredato Guerino; Gislaine Camila Lapasini Leal; Renato Balancieri

doi:10.5753/jbcs.2026.5598

Authors

Felippe Fernandes da Silva State University of Maringá https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4576-2839
Mariana Santos de Jesus Alexandre State University of Maringá https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7235-7582
Guilherme Corredato Guerino State University of Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4979-5831
Gislaine Camila Lapasini Leal State University of Maringá https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8599-0776
Renato Balancieri State University of Maringá https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8532-2011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5753/jbcs.2026.5598

Keywords:

Game UX, Digital Games, User Experience, UX Techniques, Game Development

Abstract

The development of digital games requires the creation of immersive experiences that align with players' expectations, making UX practices essential to ensuring the quality of the user experience. However, the integration of UX in the industry still faces significant challenges, such as validation with end users, collecting representative feedback, and the shortage of specialized professionals. This exploratory study aims to investigate how UX practices and tools are applied in the development of digital games in Brazil. Conducted through the Survey Research method, the study analyzed the perceptions of professionals (N=128) and the barriers faced by Brazilian studios. The analysis employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The results highlighted that, although UX is widely recognized as strategic, its implementation is still constrained by technical and strategic challenges, particularly in small studios. Furthermore, the research suggests that advancements in training, accessible tools, and validation processes are essential to overcoming these barriers. The study contributes to the understanding of UX practices in the industry and proposes directions for future research.

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