Balancing Exploration and Testing in Game Design

Designing a game is a bit like walking a tightrope. You need to keep your balance between two important parts: exploration and testing. Both are crucial for making a great game, but they have different jobs. Here’s how to bring them together in a smart way.

Understanding Exploration vs. Testing

1. Exploration:

   • This is all about being creative and trying out new ideas.
   • You want to find out what’s fun, what game rules work, and how different parts fit together.
   • Think of it like brainstorming but getting to test things out in real-time!

2. Testing:

   • After coming up with some strong ideas, it’s time to test them.
   • This is when you let players try your game and see how they play.
   • You’ll collect feedback and information to help improve the game's rules and overall fun factor.

Setting Your Playtest Goals

Before you start testing, think about what you want to learn. Here are some tips:

• Set Clear Goals:

  • Decide what you want to find out in each playtest.
  • Are you checking if a game rule works? Seeing if players enjoy it? Finding out if the game is too hard?
  • Being specific helps with both exploration and testing.

• Scope Matters:

  • When exploring, look at bigger ideas.
  • But when testing, zoom in on a specific feature.
  • This helps you make the most of each playtest.

Tips for Balancing Both Parts

1. Staggered Sessions:

   • Swap between exploring and focused testing in your schedule.
   • For example, spend the first half exploring new ideas and the second half testing them.
   • This way, neither part overshadows the other.

2. Use Feedback:

   • Take the feedback from playtests and use it to improve your ideas.
   • This creates a cycle where exploring helps testing, and testing helps exploring.
   • If players say something feels off, you can go back and rethink it.

3. Diverse Playtesters:

   • Invite different types of players.
   • Casual gamers might give you ideas about how easy it is to play, while serious gamers focus on game mechanics.
   • Ask for feedback that fits both exploration and testing.

4. Embrace Change:

   • Understand that playtesting is an ongoing process.
   • Some parts may need more exploration based on feedback, while others can be ready for serious testing.
   • If new issues pop up, don’t hesitate to go back to having fun and exploring.

5. Create a Feedback-Friendly Environment:

   • Make sure testers feel comfortable sharing their opinions.
   • It’s not just about gathering feedback; it’s about working together and making testers feel like they matter in the game-making process.

Simple Workflow to Follow

Here’s an easy way to think about your process:

• Phase 1: Exploration

  • Come up with new ideas and test them out alone or with a few trusted friends.

• Phase 2: Internal Testing

  • Show your game to a small group first.
  • Find out what’s working and what’s not.

• Phase 3: Public Playtesting

  • Share your game with a larger audience.
  • Use what you learned earlier to test specific ideas.

• Phase 4: Analyze and Improve

  • Look over the feedback you got.
  • Make changes where needed and go back to exploring for any problems that came up.

Finding the right balance between exploration and testing is all about staying flexible and focused on your goals. Each part helps the other, and by keeping your approach adaptable, you can make fun and well-made games that players will love!