Feedback Template
Use this for every written review you post for another team: pitches, prototypes, demos and playtests.
How to write it
- Short and clear. A few sentences and a few bullets; the team should be able to read it in a minute.
- Start with the positive. Say what works, so the team knows what to keep.
- Be specific. "Could not figure out how to duck" helps; "controls are bad" doesn't.
- Put the most important problem first, and pair each problem with a suggestion when you can.
- Be polite. Comment on the game, never on the people.
- Post it as a reply to the team's own entry, so they can find it.
The template
Copy this, fill in each part, and delete the hints in brackets.
Team reviewed: [team name]
Reviewers: [your team name and members]
Writing for: [myself / our whole team]
Summary:
[2–3 sentences. Start with what works, then the most important
thing that doesn't, politely.]
Things we liked: [WARNING: at least three]
- [specific thing, and why]
- [specific thing, and why]
- [specific thing, and why]
Suggestions: [WARNING: at least three]
- [most important problem] – [suggestion]
- [problem] – [suggestion]
- [problem] – [suggestion]Example
In the summary below, yellow marks praise and red marks what didn't work. The notes in brackets explain each part; leave them out of your own review.
Team reviewed: Penguin Party
Reviewers: Team Blue (A. Lee, B. Kim, C. Park)
Writing for: our whole team
Summary: We found the game fun and are looking forward to seeing it completed. (point out the positive) However, in a few spots you can get completely stuck and have to restart the level. (point out the important things that don't work; be polite!) The objective was clear, and the controls were easy to use and intuitive. The game in general has a great puzzle element, with a penalty for those who rush in.
Things we liked:
- Great polish on the menus and splash screen: it looks like a real game title!
- Fun levels, and the save feature is very welcome; restarting is always frustrating.
- Using snowballs to freeze enemies for puzzles. Add more of these if you can!
Suggestions:
- You can get stuck in level 2 behind the ice wall; consider a reset point or a way back out.
- Levels feel a bit long and repetitive in places; maybe trim or vary the middle sections.
- The bears aren't scary because they don't move; maybe they could throw snowballs back at the penguin?
- We couldn't figure out how to duck, as shown in the game demo; an on-screen hint would help.