Playtest Quest Part VII: The Hero’s Trial
Session time: 1-2 hours
Okay, you’ve finally made it to the playtest. Now it’s time to see how your game holds up in the real world.
Finding and Guiding Playtesters
Find yourself some playtesters. There are plenty of discords and local game design groups. You could also find some friends. The key is to get a variety of players to provide diverse feedback. Explain to them your goals for the game and the personas you are designing for. Talk about your approach and what category this game is in (mod, hack, narrative, or construction), which will also direct the type of feedback they will give you. Let them know what you are looking for feedback on.
Running the Playtest
If possible, have other people play the game while you explain the rules and manage everything. When explaining the rules, tell them the win condition of the game and what they do every turn. Don’t go into too many edge cases—just get them playing. Capture strengths and weaknesses as they play so you can flesh them out in the notation framework later. Revisit your old notes and see if your previous hypotheses hold true when the changed mechanics are played out in real life.
Capturing Feedback and Iterating
Capture strengths and weaknesses as they play so you can flesh them out in the notation framework later. Revisit your old notes and see if your previous hypotheses hold true when the changed mechanics are played out in real life.
Here are some other things you can capture:
- Detailed Observations: Record what you see and hear during the playtest.
- Player Feedback: Note any specific comments or reactions from players.
Depending on how novel your mechanics are, don’t be afraid to make changes mid-game, especially if the testers suggest them. This can be a good way to find the fun. On the flip side, you know what type of game you are making, so don’t feel like you have to change parts of your game just because the testers suggest something. This is why you have goals and set the initial direction of your game at the beginning.
Post-Playtest Analysis
Once the playtest is over and you’ve processed the feedback with the iteration framework, decide where to go from here. Do you want to go back all the way to the core mechanic decision, or do you need smaller changes? Whatever you decide to do, you now have the tools to keep going.
Keep designing, playtesting, and updating, and that will get you to your goals! Congratulations, playtesting is the best thing you can do to learn about game design. Each iteration brings you closer to a polished and enjoyable game. Keep pushing forward, and soon you’ll have a game that not only you love but others do too.