We all now struggle between the understanding of game testing and play testing. At the first opportunity when said about playtesting, the audience confusticate with the conventional quality testing. It is due season to know about playtesting and its significance.
Playtesting
As experts say it is a process that comes in quality control that occurs in many moments in video game designing. It is primarily performed where a team of users / audiences play the unconcluded game versions to work out on the game plays, glitches, flaws that aid in resolving and identifying bugs.
One of the main reasons why play test is carried out is to rectify the vague points, enhancing creative experience, reducing boredoms and levelling up the victory situations
The gamedesigning format has changed beyond from the age old formula of for the gamer, to the gamer and of the gamer. Every game that has been played is not developed solely for gamers, sometimes it is for the public and for the beginners. Playtesting plays a crucial role in identifying the game difficulties. Thus the survey helps in giving the designer an unbiased data to the future tests before launch.
Types of play testing
Gross Playtesting Here, the playtesting starts with the initial running model where the game isn’t completed. Gamedesign studios conduct these tests to majorly ascertain the flaws in the gameplay and the test is carried out by either gamedesigner or the developer
Inhouse Playtesting Creativity is the main element here. Once the quality control testing has been abided this inhouse playtesting routes for creativity and the game is tested by the people inside the office or firm.
Blind Playtesting A group of playtesters who have no experience wit the game is given with the game that has been designed and the game is tested for its play, for its intrigue, for its levels and the level of user retention
Final Playtesting Playtesting is done before the launch where the visual aesthetics of the game is being checked and all set to launch
Look outs for a good playtester
- When a game designer puts their effort and it’s certain that we have to reciprocate the same with the time that we give them, if there are hurdles, priorly inform them about your schedule
- Achieve your role of playtester by giving genuine feedbacks that are different from fun & boring, tell them where the game is lagging, tell them about the visuals and graphics, tell them how it can be improvised better
- Lastly, be aware of the game user research, and think for the wider audience and let the designer know what can be done best!
Happy game developing.