SMASHING SPECULATION
An Analysis of Fandom Studies and Super Smash Bros.
Smashing Speculation is a series of video essays that started as my undergraduate capstone project to wrap up my major in Communication. Since then, I've continued the series on my own time, expanding it with additional videos building on the first.
The series applies my acquired knowledge of theories of human communication and fandom studies to the Super Smash Bros. speculation community. I hold a deep appreciation for the Smash Bros. series as a celebration of gaming history, and I am fascinated by its dedicated fandom that waits with bated breath for each new development. Smashing Speculation was born out of my desire to both shine an academic light on a shockingly unexamined gaming community, and to provide Smash fans a new lens through which to view themselves.
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At its core, Smashing Speculation is about developing empathy, by providing viewers with the tools to better understand their own personal experiences and how they relate to those around them. As a producer and team leader, I hope to bring that same level of empathy to teams I work with and encourage stronger, healthier interpersonal relationships.
GUILDHALL PRODUCER'S GUIDE TO USER RESEARCH
This artifact was created as part of SMU Guildhall's Production program. Speaking from my own experiences as the User Research Producer for five of our published titles, I put together a comprehensive guide to UR specifically for future Guildhall Producers who may need to do their own UR work for their games.
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The guide covers three major aspects of running successful testing, including designing good surveys, preparing and hosting playtesting sessions, and how to disseminate feedback to teams. Emphasis is placed on how students should keep in mind the emotional needs of both their testers and teammates in order to achieve the best possible results from their testing.