AI user research for games
A new build every two or three weeks. AI interviews hundreds of players at once on why they get stuck, churn, or pay. Get answers before the next release.
Common challenges in games user research
A new build ships every two or three weeks, and traditional user research schedules can't keep up
Survey response rates are low, and many players just click through without thinking
You know where players drop off, but not why
Players are spread across servers and platforms, so samples rarely cover them all
What game teams research with heari
New player experience and early churn
Why players leave in the first few days. Interview week-one churners, starting from their last session, to find when they got stuck or lost interest.
Feedback on new updates and modes
Within a week of an update, ask active and returning players about new content: what's fun, what puts them off, and what falls short.
Monetization and willingness to pay
What makes players pay, and what holds them back. Ask about first purchases, bundles, and battle passes to learn how they decide and judge value.
Churned and returning players
Why they left and why they came back. Interview churned and returning players side by side, compare their stories, and find what will bring players back.
New genre and art style tests
Before greenlighting or revamping a game, show target players the genre, art style, and core gameplay. Hear their first reactions and concerns.
Community and word of mouth
Find out what's really behind complaints in forums and chats. Talk in depth with players who speak up to separate a vocal minority from widespread issues.
Gaming research example
A typical study you can run right away. The research assistant adapts the plan and interview guide to your business.
Study plan
Sample interview guide
The AI interviewer follows the guide and asks follow-up questionsFirst impressions
Core questionDo you remember what it felt like the first time you opened the game?
Follow-upWhich screen or moment, exactly
Where they got stuck
Core questionWhich level were you on when you stopped wanting to play?
Follow-upWhat they tried at the time
Deciding to leave
Core questionThe last time you opened the game, what kept you from coming back?
Follow-upWhether they're playing something else
What would bring them back
Core questionWhat would make you give it another try?
Follow-upThe one thing that most needs to change
Data shows what players did. heari finds out why.
Connect ThinkingAI Agentic Engine to select players by behavior. Bring that context into interviews and write findings back as player tags.
What the behavior data shows
Failed the level 3 boss 6 times, quit, and never logged in again.
What the heari interview found
"I kept hitting dodge and nothing happened. Turns out you have to press it early. The game never tells you that."
What the behavior data shows
Opened the first-purchase bundle page 3 times without paying.
What the heari interview found
"I couldn't tell what the stuff in the bundle actually does, and I didn't want to waste my money."
Research compliance in gaming
Underage players
Guardian consent is required, or minors are screened out during recruiting.
International players
Players answer in their own language. Reports keep the original with a translation and compare markets.
Anonymous by default
Reports cite players by ID only, never by username or account.
Your data stays yours
Interview content and player lists are used only for this study, never to train models.
Hear from players before the next update ships
Pick your top question, like why new players drop off, and we'll run player interviews with you in heari.
