playtesting
Pre-release game evaluation
Playtesting is the process of playing a game during development to identify problems and gather feedback before release.
Playtesters look for bugs, balance issues, confusing mechanics, or sections that aren't fun.
The term applies to video games, board games, and tabletop roleplaying games alike: We spent months playtesting before launch.
Unlike quality assurance testing, playtesting often focuses on player experience rather than technical errors.
Science of motion
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- difficultyState of being hard
- level designCrafting game environments
- rulesetCollection of governing principles
scenario · pacing · progression · tutorial · onboarding · controls · UI · UX
First functional specimen
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- tweakingSlight adjustment process
- balancingAchieving equal distribution
- refinementElegance of manner
polish · adjustment · fine-tuning · revision · optimization · build · version · milestone
Error removal from programs
- glitchesMinor system malfunctions
- crashesSudden violent impacts
- exploitsNotable daring actions
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
patches · hotfixes · defects · issues · faults · anomalies · regression · troubleshooting
Greek alphabet's second letter
- demoShort trial presentation
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- walkthroughSequential instructional guide
run-through · first impression · fresh eyes · early access · closed beta · open beta · NDA · embargo
Systematic data collection
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- impressionsEffects on the mind
- reactionsResponses to events
- commentsSpoken or written reactions
evaluation · review · input · suggestions · focus group · testers · participants · questionnaire
mechanics
Science of motion
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- difficultyState of being hard
- level designCrafting game environments
ruleset · scenario · pacing · progression · tutorial · onboarding · controls · UI · UX · accessibility
prototype
First functional specimen
- feedback loopSelf-modifying cyclical process
- tweakingSlight adjustment process
- balancingAchieving equal distribution
refinement · polish · adjustment · fine-tuning · revision · optimization · build · version · milestone · sprint
debugging
Error removal from programs
errors · patches · hotfixes · defects · issues · faults · anomalies · regression · troubleshooting · reproducibility
beta
Greek alphabet's second letter
- demoShort trial presentation
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
walkthrough · run-through · first impression · fresh eyes · early access · closed beta · open beta · NDA · embargo · invite
survey
Systematic data collection
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- impressionsEffects on the mind
- reactionsResponses to events
comments · evaluation · review · input · suggestions · focus group · testers · participants · questionnaire · notes
- game designmechanics, level design, game balance, balancing, difficulty
- game developmentgame engine, game design, game engines, game designer, rendering
- gaming lingoNPC, HP, GG, AFK, PvP
- QA testingQA, quality assurance, alpha testing, testers, bug tracking
- software testingunit testing, closed beta, open beta, unit tests, QA testing
- gaming businessmicrotransactions, loot boxes, DLC, pay-to-win, battle pass
playtestingfinal release
Completed production version
finished product · gold master · launch · publication · shipping