Magid Knows Playtesting: Best Practices from Magid’s Games Team

In the world of game development, playtesting is pivotal. Whether you’re a producer or an experienced user researcher, conducting effective playtests can make or break the development process. However, playtesting is not without its challenges—it requires the right participants and effective preparation to set everyone up for success.

Jason Rice, VP of Qualitative Research, and Kirsten Dover, a Qualitative Analyst at Magid, share essential insights for navigating playtesting’s nuances. 

Watch now »

Part 1: Find the Right Audience

The first step? Defining your audience. To gain valuable insights, it’s crucial to know who you want to engage in your playtests and what you aim to achieve. Should the game’s user experience be your primary focus, involving general consumers who have limited experience with the genre could provide fresh perspectives on intuitive gameplay mechanics. Conversely, for games with complex systems, experienced players might be needed to delve deeper into the game’s intricacies and evaluate its core systems.

Part 2: The Benefit of Pre-Work

At Magid, we believe in the power of pre-work to understand participants before they enter the testing room. This involves a 15 to 20-minute survey, conducted online after an initial recruitment screening. Participants tend to be more open and honest in this format, giving us insight into their gaming habits, attitudes, and expertise level. This pre-work helps us tailor their playtesting experience and increases engagement.

Part 3: Introducing your Game to Participants

Once your audience is defined, consider how to introduce them to the game. This preparation phase requires close collaboration among developers, stakeholders, and researchers to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the game’s current build and objectives.

Identifying the main focus of the test is vital. Are you assessing team synergies within the game or the impact of UI elements on gameplay? Directing participants’ attention to these features can streamline the playtesting process, avoiding unnecessary time on unrelated tutorials.

Playtests come in various formats—from one-on-one usability studies to large-scale lab tests and secure virtual sessions. Regardless of format, preparation is key. Aligning the research team and stakeholders ensures consistency and a high-quality playtesting experience.

In conclusion, effective playtesting is about meticulous preparation, understanding your participants, and aligning with stakeholders for an effective testing process. At Magid, we’re here to help you craft engaging playtests that unlock valuable insights into game development. 

Watch the full video »

Want to learn more? Let’s talk.