Comparing Player Testing Methods: Avoid False Positives

Beyond Playtesting: Avoiding False Positives in Game Development

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your indie game. You’re ready to get it into players’ hands and see what they think. Excellent! But be warned: not all feedback is created equal. Relying solely on unobserved playtesting can lead you down a path of false positives and ultimately, a game that misses the mark.

Unobserved playtesting, where players try your game without you watching, seems simple. You hand it out, get feedback forms back, and… profit? Not quite. This method is prone to generating inaccurate positive signals. Why? Because you lack context. You don’t see how players are playing, what assumptions they’re making, or where they’re silently struggling.

Imagine a player says they “loved” a particular puzzle. Great, right? Maybe. Did they actually solve it legitimately, or did they brute-force it through trial and error? Did they understand the underlying mechanics, or did they just get lucky? Without observation, you’re blind to the why behind their feedback.

The Pitfalls of Blind Faith

The biggest problem with relying solely on unobserved playtesting is that it masks crucial information. Players might not accurately articulate their pain points. They might not even realize they’re struggling.

Think about it. A player might write “the game was fun” even though they spent 20 minutes wrestling with an unintuitive UI element. They’ve normalized the struggle and focused on the eventual enjoyment. You, as the developer, are completely unaware of this friction point.

Furthermore, players often try to be polite or helpful. They might sugarcoat negative experiences or offer suggestions that don’t address the core issues. This “helpful” feedback can actually mislead you, pushing you to implement changes that don’t solve the underlying problems.

The Power of Observation-Based Testing

Observation-based testing involves watching players as they play your game. This gives you invaluable insights into their behavior, thought processes, and pain points. You see firsthand where they struggle, where they get confused, and where they genuinely enjoy themselves.

Instead of just relying on their subjective opinions, you can objectively analyze their actions. Are they skipping tutorials? Are they repeatedly clicking on the wrong button? Are they completely missing a key visual cue? These observations provide concrete data that you can use to improve your game.

Actionable Steps: Incorporating Observation

How do you incorporate observation-based testing into your indie game development process? It’s easier than you think.

1. Start Small: You don’t need a fancy lab. A simple screen recording setup or even just watching someone play in person can be incredibly effective.
2. Focus on Specific Areas: Don’t try to observe everything at once. Identify key areas of your game that you want to test, such as the tutorial, a specific level, or a particular combat mechanic.
3. Think Aloud Protocol: Encourage players to verbalize their thoughts as they play. Ask them what they’re thinking, what they’re trying to do, and what’s confusing them.
4. Don’t Intervene (Unless Necessary): Resist the urge to help players unless they’re completely stuck. Let them struggle (within reason) and learn from their mistakes.
5. Record Everything: Capture both the gameplay footage and the player’s audio. This allows you to review the session later and identify patterns.

Lessons from Veteran Indie Developers

Many successful indie developers swear by observation-based testing. They understand that it’s not just about getting feedback; it’s about understanding how players experience your game.

One common piece of advice is to test early and often. Don’t wait until your game is “finished” to start testing. The earlier you get feedback, the more time you have to iterate and improve.

Another important lesson is to be adaptable. Don’t be afraid to change your game based on player feedback, even if it means scrapping features you’ve spent weeks working on. Remember, the goal is to create a game that players enjoy, not to stubbornly stick to your original vision.

Document Everything: Your Game Dev Journal

To truly benefit from player testing, you need to document your findings. Create a dedicated game dev journal to track player behavior, pain points, and successes. This journal will become an invaluable resource as you continue to develop your game.

Your game dev journal isn’t just a collection of notes. It’s a strategic tool that helps you connect player insights to concrete development tasks. Track not just what the player said, but what they did, how long it took them, and any emotional cues you observed.

This detailed information allows you to prioritize fixes, identify patterns in player behavior, and make informed decisions about your game’s design. It also provides a historical record of your development process, which can be helpful for future projects. You can use this information to adjust your testing strategies in the future, as well.

Want to take your game dev journaling to the next level? Try our tool designed specifically to help you effectively track player testing feedback and development progress. It will help you stay organized, consistent, and focused on building the best possible game.