Introduction
Many developers find it challenging to understand their target audience´s preferences. This article explains why you should begin iterating your game early on through player feedback, and also looks at how comprehensive playtesting services or hosting a stress test can improve your game for your target audience. This is more critical than ever before, as there are more games pumped out than before through the use of AI and the newest game engines. While competition is growing, consider constant player feedback the #1 tool in your game development to gain an advantage over other games in your genre.
The Challenge of Understanding Player Preferences
Creating a game comes with the challenge of matching what you build with what players expect. Without knowing what players enjoy, even the most advanced games might not hit the mark. Playtesting is crucial in this aspect, to be able to understand your specific audience in-depth.
The Role of Playtesting in Game Development
Playtesting involves real players testing the game and giving feedback on everything from gameplay and mechanics to story and user interface, helping shape a game that's fun and engaging. No level of game marketing or influencer can patch the lack of engaging user experience. Playtesting is a tool games should aim to use consistently throughout development to get the greatest results.
How Playtesting Provides Insights
Feedback on Gameplay Mechanics: Playtesting shows how players use the game's mechanics, leading to improvements that make the game more fun and easy to play.
Narrative and Character Development: It helps understand how players feel about the story and characters.
Identifying Bugs and Glitches: Playtesters often find problems that need fixing before launch.
Balancing Difficulty Levels: It helps ensure the game is challenging but not too hard.
The Value of a Wide Range of Gamers
Different players will see different things, giving you a broad view of how your game performs. It is critical to also gain some loyal game testers early on to know what the players think about your game beyond the first impression. The suggestions and feedback on how to iterate your game from here will vary a lot between noobies and experts of your game. To widen the player appeal of your game, having a wide range of gamers test your game is important.
Detailed Feedback Reports: The Key to Refinement
Good playtesting services enable you to get extensive data and actionable feedback reports crafted by UX experts. Detailed feedback and suggestions from the players in your target audience helps you make informed decisions. Whether it´s player interviews, building a focus group for your game or empowering your community: the earlier you can begin playtesting your game, the better the match between your game and audience.
Case Studies: Success Stories of Playtesting
One of the most successful games in 2023, an indie game called Battle Bit Remastered developed their game together with their player community for years. This 3-person dev team made a better fit game for their target audience than AAA-games with who have unlimited money to understand their audience. It simply takes time, iterating your game together with the players you are making it for. Regardless of how much resources you have to develop your game, the earlier you begin playtests, the better. Among other things, XPFIRST has delivered player feedback for Makea Games and AMGI Studios. Feel free to check how they felt after collaborating with us from here: Testimonials
Playtest Objectives and Customization
Every game has different playtesting needs. Whether it's for a multiplayer system or single-player story feedback, playtesting should be tailored to fit these needs. Filling feedback forms seem to be the most common way of gathering information, especially in larger playtests. Sometimes devs seek to get player interviews or want to discuss with testers in a focus group. Game Studios might want 1 extensive playtest every 3 months to gain general feedback from the player perspective. Other times, they are after a biweekly testing routine, prioritizing bug testing and detailed opinions focused on specific areas or updates of their game.
The Challenge of Finding the Right Playtesting Service
Finding a playtesting service that's reliable and flexible can be tough. Developers need a service that can adapt to their changing needs. The best playtesting services are far from distant and robotic. These kind of more personal, premium level services are rarely dirt cheap. Yet their prices should be competitive to the more self-service style alternatives. You have to ask yourself: "am I willing to pay a little more for someone handling things for me personally and guaranteeing that I get what I need?"
Look into the testing solutions market and make an informed decision.
XPFIRST has limited amount of partnership spots each month, but I will go through our offering next.
Introducing XPFIRST: A Solution for Game Studios
