Final game · Playtesting
Playtest Questions
Questions to keep in mind while you play another team's game, and to answer afterward. They'll help you give feedback the team can act on.
You don't need to answer every questionPick the ones that match what you noticed. Jot down notes while you play: first impressions fade fast.
While playing
- Do the rules seem confusing? What, exactly, is confusing?
- Did you make bad choices? Why: bad luck, unclear information, or a trap in the design?
Right after playing
- What was your first impression?
- Did that impression change how you played?
- Was there anything you found frustrating?
- Did the game drag at any point?
- Were there particular parts you found satisfying?
- What was the most exciting moment in the game?
- Did the game feel too long, or too short?
Formal elements
The structure of the game: objective, rules, conflict.
- Describe the objective of the game.
- Was the objective clear at all times?
- What was your strategy for winning?
- Did you find any loopholes in the game?
- How would you describe the conflict?
- Which elements do you think could be improved?
Dramatic elements
What draws the player in: premise, story, characters.
- Was the game's premise appealing to you?
- Is the game appropriate for its target audience?
Rules, interface and controls
- Were the procedures and rules easy to understand?
- How did the controls feel? Did they make sense?
- Could you find the information you needed on the interface?
- Is there anything about the interface you would change?
- Did anything feel clunky, awkward or confusing?
- Are there any controls or interface features you would like to see added?
Overall
- Overall, how would you describe this game's appeal?
- Would you buy this game?
- What attracted you to the game?
- What was missing from the game?
- If you could change one thing, what would it be?
- Who do you think the target audience is?
- If you gave this game as a gift, who would you give it to?