Common Mistakes to Avoid When Testing Games

When game developers test their games, they often face challenges that can make getting useful feedback hard. Here are some common mistakes you should try to avoid:

1. Not Preparing Enough

One of the biggest mistakes in playtesting is not preparing well. Some designers start testing their games without clear goals, which can lead to confusing feedback. This can happen in different ways:

• Not knowing the audience: If the testers aren’t the right players for the game, their feedback might not be helpful.
• Not having set goals: If the team doesn’t decide what they want to focus on (like game mechanics, story, or difficulty), the feedback can be random and not very useful.

Tip: To fix this mistake, developers should write down what they want to find out before testing. Asking specific questions can help get better and clearer responses.

2. Choosing the Wrong Testers

Picking the wrong people to test the game can change the feedback a lot. If the testers don’t match the people who will play the game, their feedback might not make sense.

• Expert testers: If the testers are very good at the type of game you’re making, they might not give the same views as a casual player.
• Family and friends: While they might want to help, they can be biased and may not give honest feedback.

Tip: To solve this, developers should pick a mix of testers who represent the future players of the game. They can reach out through social media or join groups that focus on similar games.

3. Ignoring Player Feedback

Another mistake is not paying attention to what players say. Sometimes, developers feel very attached to their designs and miss important points that players make.

• Too much trust in your design: Developers might ignore valuable criticism because they like their ideas too much.
• Misunderstanding feedback: Sometimes, developers might not fully understand what players are experiencing, dismissing useful comments as misunderstandings.

Tip: It’s crucial to have an open attitude in the development team. Listen actively to player feedback and be willing to make changes when needed. Keeping records of the feedback can also help review players' input over time.

4. A Bad Testing Environment

Where the playtesting takes place can really affect the feedback. Tests that feel rushed or messy can lead to bad experiences for the players.

• Technical problems: Lots of bugs or crashes can frustrate players and make them lose focus on the game itself.
• Noisy surroundings: Testing in loud places can make it hard for players to give their full attention to the game.

Tip: Make sure playtests are done in comfortable settings that minimize technical problems. Developers should do some practice runs to find and fix bugs early on.

5. Not Following Up After Testing

Finally, many developers forget to follow up after getting feedback. This can make testers feel unimportant and less likely to help in the future.

• Poor communication: If players think their feedback is ignored, they won’t want to join future tests, which means developers miss out on valuable insights.
• No changes made: When players don’t see any proof that their feedback led to changes, they can get frustrated.

Tip: Keep communicating with testers. Let them know how their feedback was used and what changes were made. This shows that their opinions are important.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, game developers can create better playtesting experiences that provide useful feedback. This will help them build successful games that players will enjoy!