What techniques can you use to explore games during testing?

If your game is released on different platforms or if your mobile game supports gamepads, test new features on all possible types of devices. - Check how controllers from PS or Xbox work with your game on Android and iOS. - Ensure that playing with each of your characters is comfortable, especially if it's a shooter. - Verify that controllers behave correctly and don't exhibit any unexpected behavior or unforeseen button combinations. - Also, don't forget to check that playing your game is equally convenient on both PC and console, especially if you have crossplay - ideally, there should be no significant advantages for players on a particular platform.

Remember that players vary and can play differently. Try to test features from different perspectives. - For example, when testing a new map in a vehicle-shooter, try different types of vehicles - long-range, close-range, heavy, or fast. Ideally, all players should feel comfortable playing. - If it's a strategy game, try playing for different nations or factions; this will help you find the right balance between opposing forces.

You can adjust various game settings, for example: - FPS - this way, we can identify issues with overheating or FPS drops at different levels. - Graphic quality - this may reveal some problems, such as in LODs or again in FPS drops. - Language - helps find translation errors or missing localization keys, or text that is displayed incorrectly - there are often issues with Asian languages. - Devices - for instance, different mobile devices may exhibit various graphic problems or overheating. - Combine settings - this will help quickly identify potential issues. - Changing phone settings can also be helpful - for example, system navigation - buttons or gestures.

When conducting early-stage game testing, the sweet spot is often a group of around five participants. This size ensures a manageable review process without overwhelming the feedback loop. More testers may not necessarily yield deeper insights, while fewer could lead to insufficient data. A good rule of thumb? If two pizzas are enough to feed your test group, you've got the numbers just right. This keeps sessions efficient and effective, allowing you to observe and document findings with clarity.

Mapping Twitch streamers to the Bartle player types of Killer, Achiever, Socialiser, and Explorer can offer valuable insights into player preferences and behaviors. Observing how these varied player archetypes interact with the same game mechanics can provide a nuanced understanding of what resonates with each type and why. This approach allows you to fine-tune your game's features to appeal to a broader audience while ensuring each element caters to different playing styles. It's a way to gather diverse feedback and enhance your game's appeal.

A couple of days after we released our first shooter, I started looking for videos about the game on YouTube. It was especially interesting to watch those videos where commentators were discussing something. This helps to identify challenges that players face - for example, unclear places in the tutorial or when players don't understand the actions of their characters, weapons, or abilities. Videos also helped identify various localization issues or random clipping through the map. So, videos on YouTube or, for example, Twitch can help you find issues in UX or some subtle problems.

Mastering the art of interviewing your testers is crucial in game design. Implementing the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics (MDA) framework can be particularly effective. It includes a classification of fun that facilitates clear dialogue with players regarding the enjoyable aspects of the game. By applying MDA, you, as a game designer, can adeptly convert varied fun elements into specific game mechanics. This allows for strategic addition or subtraction of features to fine-tune your game's appeal and enhance the overall gameplay experience.