Game design can often be related to "placing bets," or rather making a hypothesis about an intended gameplay experience. Until you have direct and clear information gathered from people playing the game you are making, everything remains a theory. I think prioritizing focused player-data collection in a way that helps determine if your "bets" were well placed or not, or if your expectations come to fruition, is the absolute best approach. Make clear callouts for what you are hoping/intending/expecting to happen, and then let the data speak for itself.

First and foremost, ensure that your user testing data is evaluated against the game’s core vision and objectives. Not all data points are equal—some insights may align more closely with the intended player experience than others. Prioritize data that supports or refines features that are integral to your game's identity and goals. Analyze the depth and quality of your user testing data. Prioritize insights backed by statistically significant findings or those that come from core player segments. A feature that elicits strong positive feedback from your primary audience should take precedence over mixed responses from less-engaged segments.

Review User Feedback: Start by analyzing user testing data to identify common pain points and areas for improvement based on real player experiences. Prioritize Impactful Changes: Focus on changes that directly enhance user satisfaction or fix critical issues, prioritizing insights with the most significant player impact. Balance with Design Vision: Ensure data-driven changes align with the overall game design vision while addressing player needs. Communicate with Team: Share user insights with the team, emphasizing how the data supports key decisions. Iterate and Re-test: Implement the prioritized changes and conduct additional testing to confirm improvements.