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## Embracing Playtesting: A Vital Step in Game Development

In the world of game creation, playtesting is an essential component that can make or break a project. The optimal timing for involving playtesters depends on various factors, including the development stage, goals, and the type of feedback required.

### Starting with Internal Testing

Before exposing your game to external playtesters, it's crucial to conduct thorough internal testing with your development team. This initial phase allows you to catch obvious bugs, implement foundational mechanics, and ensure the game is minimally playable before others see it.

### Moving to Controlled Closed Beta

Once the game is stable enough for others to explore meaningfully, move to a closed beta, inviting a small, trusted group of external playtesters. This phase is ideal for gathering focused feedback on gameplay, balance, and user experience.

### Expanding to Open Playtesting

As development matures, you can leverage platforms like Steam's Playtest feature for broader, more public testing. This is best suited for games that are feature-complete and mostly polished, as public feedback will cover a wider range of player types and playstyles.

### Longitudinal and Multiplayer Playtests

For games with persistent worlds, multiplayer, or ongoing content, consider longitudinal or scheduled multiplayer playtests once core features are implemented. These tests are crucial for understanding long-term engagement, server stability, and community dynamics.

## Key Principles

- **Don't Wait Too Long:** Involve playtesters once your game is playable and you can act on their feedback. Testing too early risks wasting their time and yours; testing too late may leave little room for meaningful changes. - **Iterate and Adapt:** There is no universal timeline—each game and team will have different needs. Use each playtest phase to inform the next, and iterate based on what you learn. - **Set Clear Expectations:** Whether using platforms like PlaytestCloud or Steam, be transparent about deadlines, session lengths, and the type of feedback you need.

## Case Study: Gaslands

The game Gaslands, developed by an unnamed author, serves as a prime example of the importance of playtesting. Despite being rubbish initially, Gaslands had potential and was well-received by the playtesters. Writing a game is a process of rewriting, and it is necessary to be prepared to rewrite the game multiple times to make it better. The rulesets for Gaslands were developed within approximately three weeks.

In the early stages, the first playtest for Gaslands was conducted with co-conspirator John shortly after the initial inception of the rules. The first public playtest took place at a Malifaux event, with a group of six experienced gamers who were taught the rules while intoxicated. Six buggies were broken during the first playtest of Gaslands.

## The Power of Failure

Failure is a strong motivator for improvement when it comes to game design. It is common for a game to have obvious flaws during the early stages of development, but these can be corrected through playtesting and iteration. Previous versions of the game should be kept safe for reference, as they may contain ideas that could be useful in future revisions.

## The Call for Playtesters

As the development of Gaslands continues, the author is seeking playtesters for their game. If you are interested in playtesting Gaslands or any other game, it is crucial to show your game to other players as soon as possible to identify what doesn't work or isn't fun. Putting a new game in front of other players is the fastest way to find out its flaws and improve it.

Involving other players in the development process can help identify what doesn't work or isn't fun in the game. Games cannot be validated in the mind of the creator; they must be validated on the table through playtesting. The hermetic design stage is an essential part of game development, but it is crucial to involve other players as soon as possible to identify flaws.

References:

[1] PlaytestCloud Blog. (n.d.). How to run successful playtests for your game. Retrieved from https://www.playtestcloud.com/blog/how-to-run-successful-playtests-for-your-game/

[3] Steam. (n.d.). Steam Game Development. Retrieved from https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/developmenttools/developmentlifecycle

The game development process can greatly benefit from sports-analysis-like feedback gathered during playtesting, helping to refine gameplay, balance, and user experience.
Embracing sports-like iterations, based on the information collected from playtesting, is essential for the continuous improvement of a game, resembling the iterative adjustments made in sports to enhance performance.