We intend on making a small prototype for the game that we can playtest to test features and gain feedback from our target audience. This prototype will be made immediately after all documentation and concept details are complete. This will not be a digital prototype but will be a prototype that is paper based (similar to a standard board game). This prototype will mainly serve to test some of the game’s core mechanics, features and general concept. Feedback from this prototype’s playtesting sessions will be taken in the form of anonymous feedback forms, to ensure all play testers are 100% honest and to gain the most reliable feedback possible. The feedback will help the team to make any last-minute concept changes to the game before digital development can commence.
After these changes are made, a second prototype will begin to be developed. This prototype will be a digital prototype and will further steer the team in the correct direction for the remaining period of game development. The second prototype will consist of one core level of the game, and this will be the tutorial level. This is a suitable level to prototype because it will allow the play testers to come to grips with the game’s mechanics and controls in the short time frame they have access to the prototype (1 – 2 hours maximum). This level will have the essential features implemented, however smaller, more unnecessary features (such as dialogue from non-important characters, certain pick up items which don’t cause progression within the prototyped level, non-interactable objects etc) will not be required for this early prototype. It will be essentially be one full section from the minimum viable product.
Other than the playtests which will occur after the completion of the initial prototype, there will also be a third playtest when the game is mostly, or fully complete. This playtest will allow play testers to identify any faults or bugs within the game and this will be presented to the team via feedback forms. In relation to the release of the game, the final playtest should be set to occur a couple of weeks before intended release date.
The playtests mentioned are the essential playtests which without a doubt need to occur to progress with the development of the game. However, to ensure that our game is of an acceptable standard and quality, we will have many other smaller playtests throughout the entire development process.
The playtesting team will be comprised of the development team themselves, and any other volunteers who are interested in playing the game. The playtest will be advertised to mostly students; however, other groups of people are also desired.
After these changes are made, a second prototype will begin to be developed. This prototype will be a digital prototype and will further steer the team in the correct direction for the remaining period of game development. The second prototype will consist of one core level of the game, and this will be the tutorial level. This is a suitable level to prototype because it will allow the play testers to come to grips with the game’s mechanics and controls in the short time frame they have access to the prototype (1 – 2 hours maximum). This level will have the essential features implemented, however smaller, more unnecessary features (such as dialogue from non-important characters, certain pick up items which don’t cause progression within the prototyped level, non-interactable objects etc) will not be required for this early prototype. It will be essentially be one full section from the minimum viable product.
Other than the playtests which will occur after the completion of the initial prototype, there will also be a third playtest when the game is mostly, or fully complete. This playtest will allow play testers to identify any faults or bugs within the game and this will be presented to the team via feedback forms. In relation to the release of the game, the final playtest should be set to occur a couple of weeks before intended release date.
The playtests mentioned are the essential playtests which without a doubt need to occur to progress with the development of the game. However, to ensure that our game is of an acceptable standard and quality, we will have many other smaller playtests throughout the entire development process.
The playtesting team will be comprised of the development team themselves, and any other volunteers who are interested in playing the game. The playtest will be advertised to mostly students; however, other groups of people are also desired.