PriceRange Game
Antiques Roadshow reaches more than 5 million loyal weekly viewers on TV, streaming, online, and social media. It is PBS's most-watched ongoing series. Episodes feature specialists from the country's leading auction houses and independent dealers offer free appraisals of antiques and collectibles.
In PriceRange, players rank antiques in order from highest to lowest value. The goal of PriceRange was to create a daily gameplay experience for current Antiques Roadshow fans, as well as grow a new and younger audience online.
Areas of Focus
My areas of focus included conducting thorough user testing interviews with Antiques Roadshow fans, establishing and implementing accessibility standards, and researching various daily game standards.
GBH
User Testing
I conducted 11 total interviews over 2 cohorts of testing. We wanted to know if the game was engaging and intuitive to Antiques Roadshow superfans, and if the game could convert a passive, younger audience into more deeply engaged Antiques Roadshow content consumers.
Objective
Collect user feedback in the following areas:
Gameplay experience
Information clarity and visual appeal
Habit forming behavior
Deepening engagement with Antiques Roadshow brand
Level of difficulty
“It’s challenging but it’s fun to play appraiser!”
User Testing Results
Users felt the PriceRange game was challenging but very engaging.
Key Findings
Self-reported assessments showed overall positive reviews for ease of use, replayability, information clarity, and visual appeal. Users were successful with general gameplay and enjoyed seeing how they could use their knowledge from the show. Some users struggled around the “ranking range” aspect of the game and wanted the directions to more clearly explain how ranking antiques works.
Top Issues
Issue 1: Ranking System
45% of users reported initial confusion around how the ranking system works. Most users understood gameplay after spending time playing the game.
“I’m not understanding if the one that’s right below it is what I’m supposed to be comparing it to, or if I’m supposed to be putting them in order.”
Solution
Update the How to Play animation to include the entire range.
Update the directions copy to include all antiques.
Issue 2: Level of Difficulty
The most common score was a 2 out of 7
Cohort 1 users reported they were “not very good” but still enjoyed the game
Cohort 2 users reported the level of difficulty would affect their desire to play if the consistently got bad scores
Users across both cohorts were very animated and engaged while playing, especially during the price reveal.
“You want people to feel like they have the ability to succeed. If you’re constantly getting 2 out of 7, maybe it’s less fun.”
Solution
Update gameplay to have users rank 6 appraisals and provide the appraisal in the middle value.
Update logic so the first card always sits in the middle of the range
Issue 3: Enlarge Images
73% of users reported wanting the ability to zoom-in on images
“It’s pretty tiny. If you could zoom in, it could give you an edge.”
Some images appear cut off on the timeline
Solution
Give users the ability to enlarge images
“Antiques Roadshow thinks the game is entertaining and well-made and we are very pleased with the initial results.”
Launch
PriceRange is set to launch summer 2025.
