Monetization Myth: Your First 10 Playtesters Matter More.

Stop Worrying About Monetization and Find 10 Good People

Indie game development is a minefield of conflicting advice. One of the worst offenders? Focusing on monetization before you even have a game.

It’s tempting. You see successful indie titles raking in cash, and your mind immediately jumps to in-app purchases, DLC, and that perfect price point. Stop. That’s cart-before-the-horse thinking that kills more projects than scope creep.

Your First 10 Are Your Foundation

Forget monetization strategies for now. Your priority should be finding ten dedicated playtesters who can provide honest, critical feedback on your core gameplay loop.

These aren’t your friends who tell you everything’s amazing. These are individuals willing to invest time in your game, articulate their experiences, and help you identify what actually works (and what doesn’t).

Why ten? It’s a manageable number. Enough to get a variety of perspectives, but small enough that you can actively engage with each individual’s feedback. This isn’t about mass testing; it’s about targeted iteration.

The Monetization Mirage

The allure of planning monetization early is understandable. You want to build a sustainable business. But you can’t sell a broken product, no matter how cleverly you’ve designed the microtransactions.

I’ve seen countless indie devs spend weeks debating optimal IAP prices, only to discover later that their core mechanics are fundamentally flawed. The time spent on monetization was wasted. Focus on making a fun game first. The money will follow.

A game I worked on years ago – a mobile strategy title – spent months tweaking in-app purchases. We launched, and the game failed to gain traction. Why? The core gameplay was repetitive and lacked depth. All the monetization tricks in the world couldn’t fix a boring game.

Finding Your First Ten

Finding good playtesters is a challenge, especially on a budget. Here are a few strategies:

• Game Jams: Network with other developers and offer to playtest their games in exchange for feedback on yours.
• Online Communities: Reddit (r/playmygame, relevant genre subreddits), Discord servers dedicated to indie games or your game’s genre, and specialized forums can be goldmines. Be genuine and respectful.
• Local Universities/Colleges: Reach out to game design or computer science programs. Students are often eager to build their portfolios and gain experience.
• Targeted Ads (Sparingly): A small, highly targeted ad campaign on social media can attract players genuinely interested in your game’s genre. Be upfront about seeking feedback.

Don’t be afraid to offer small incentives, like early access to new features or a credit in the game. But the most important incentive is a developer who listens and genuinely values their input.

Managing Your Playtesters

Once you’ve assembled your initial group, managing them effectively is crucial:

• Provide Clear Instructions: Explain what kind of feedback you’re looking for. Focus them on specific aspects of the game.
• Use Feedback Forms: Structured forms make it easier to collect and analyze data. Include open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses.
• Regular Communication: Stay in touch with your playtesters. Acknowledge their feedback, ask clarifying questions, and let them know how their input is impacting development.
• Respect Their Time: Be mindful of their time commitment. Don’t bombard them with constant updates or requests.

Extracting Actionable Feedback

Raw feedback is rarely actionable. You need to process and interpret it to identify concrete steps for improvement.

• Look for Patterns: Are multiple playtesters reporting the same issue? That’s a red flag.
• Prioritize Based on Impact: Focus on fixing issues that have the biggest impact on the player experience.
• Don’t Take It Personally: Criticism is part of the process. View it as an opportunity to improve your game.

I once received feedback that my game’s UI was “ugly and confusing.” Initially, I was defensive. But after digging deeper, I realized the player was struggling to understand key information. I redesigned the UI based on their feedback, and it made a huge difference.

Prioritizing Development Changes

You can’t fix everything at once. Prioritize your development efforts based on the feedback you receive.

• Focus on the Core Loop: Ensure the fundamental gameplay mechanics are engaging and satisfying before adding features or content.
• Address Game-Breaking Bugs First: Fix any bugs that prevent players from progressing or enjoying the game.
• Iterate Rapidly: Implement changes quickly and get them back in front of your playtesters for further feedback.

Addressing Common Concerns

Many indie developers are hesitant to seek early feedback due to fear of criticism or practical challenges.

• Fear of Criticism: Remember, feedback is not a personal attack. It’s valuable information that can help you make your game better.
• Finding Reliable Playtesters: Be selective. Look for players who are genuinely interested in your game’s genre and willing to provide constructive criticism.
• Time Commitment: Playtesting takes time, but it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run.

A Better Path to Monetization

Solid, engaging gameplay is the best foundation for any monetization strategy. By focusing on iterative development based on feedback from your first ten dedicated playtesters, you’ll create a more polished and enjoyable game that people actually want to play (and pay for).

Stop obsessing over IAPs and start building a great game. Your first ten playtesters are waiting to help. Listen to them.