{"id":20327,"date":"2021-03-25T16:14:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T23:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backerkit.com\/blog\/?p=20327"},"modified":"2021-06-03T07:43:19","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T14:43:19","slug":"playtest-feedback-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backerkit.com\/blog\/playtest-feedback-form\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating a Playtest Feedback Form for Your Board Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Playtesting is an essential part of the board game <\/span>design process<\/span><\/a>. It will help you refine your game and get it ready for your crowdfunding campaign. When you approach this experience strategically and with an open mind, you\u2019ll get the information you need to create an enjoyable game that excites backers when you finally launch your <\/span>project on Kickstarter<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 3 stages of playtesting<\/h2>\n

Dive into testing as soon as possible, even if you only have a <\/span>handmade prototype<\/span><\/a>. There are different forms and stages of playtesting that you\u2019ll be working your way through. Your game will evolve in exciting and potentially dramatic ways during each one of these phases, so you want to get that ball rolling as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Internal playtesting<\/h3>\n

Internal playtesting encompasses both solo playtesting (playing the game on your own, from start to finish) and having your inner circle (friends, family, and collaborators) run through the game. With solo playtesting, you\u2019ll be looking at playing time (it should be reasonable and relatively consistent every time you play) and ensuring that gameplay runs smoothly before you introduce it to an audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick tip:<\/b> When testing the game by yourself, consider creating player personas and playing as a different one each run-through. For example, you might play once as a very cautious person who doesn\u2019t make risky moves. Another time, you could play as someone who wants to find the fastest route to victory. The point is to think about the different strategies people might use and see how they affect gameplay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve ironed out any obvious kinks here, share the game with people you’re close to. Since this will be a friendly audience, you\u2019re more likely to receive positive feedback than constructive feedback. However, the real goal here is to practice presenting your game and prepare yourself for playtesting with people you don’t know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Local playtesting<\/h3>\n

Local playtesting is when strangers play your game. These will likely be people you\u2019ve connected with through board game or tabletop meetups, playtesting events, or conventions. During this phase, you\u2019ll be guiding players through the game. If something isn\u2019t working, you\u2019ll be there to clear up any confusion or make a change on the fly to keep the game moving. By the end of this stage, you\u2019ll have an early version of your rulebook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blind playtesting<\/h3>\n

Blind playtesting may be the most intimidating phase of this whole process, but it can also be the most valuable. When you share your game during this stage, you won\u2019t be able to intervene if something isn\u2019t working. You\u2019ll simply be presenting your game to your playtesters with the rulebook and letting them figure everything out. Your job here is to observe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The feedback you get during your blind playtests will help improve your rulebook. And while you\u2019ll still be paying attention to how the game functions, you should also be focused on whether or not the game is intuitive and if the rules are easily understood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Board game design online: A note on digital playtesting<\/h3>\n

Playtesting your game in-person isn\u2019t always feasible. Currently, with social distancing guidelines in place, it\u2019s not possible to approach this phase<\/a> of <\/span>board game design<\/span> in a traditional way. However, even in normal circumstances, if you live in a rural area or you\u2019re not able to travel to events, digital playtesting is an option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the moment, <\/span>Tabletopia<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Tabletop Simulator<\/span><\/a> are the popular choices. To use them, you\u2019ll have to create a digital version of your game, which you\u2019ll be able to customize on the platform. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 both platforms have how-to guides to help you out. (Here\u2019s a guide from <\/span>Tabletopia<\/span><\/a> and here\u2019s one from <\/span>Tabletop Simulator<\/span><\/a>.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the benefits of going this route are that you can quickly make changes to your game and won\u2019t have to spend money on printing or shipping a prototype. But of course, playtesters won\u2019t be able to experience any of the tactile elements of your game (if that\u2019s important to you) and they may have to pay to use the platform. All of this being said, right now, it\u2019s a great alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Quick tip: <\/b>You can find people to play your game by joining playtesting <\/span>Discord<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Facebook groups<\/span><\/a>, putting out a call on a <\/span>BoardGameGeek forum<\/span><\/a>, visiting game stores, or volunteering to playtest for other game designers and asking if they\u2019ll reciprocate. Consider <\/span>Protospiel Online<\/span><\/a> and other virtual playtesting conventions. These are also great places to get general advice about how to design a board game.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to collect feedback<\/h2>\n

When you design your own <\/span>board game<\/span><\/a> and immerse yourself in the process, it can be emotionally difficult to share what you\u2019ve been working on with other people. What if they don\u2019t like the game? What if they find some major flaw that will require you to totally rework everything? These thoughts are scary, but you shouldn\u2019t be immobilized by them. Without this feedback, your game won\u2019t get any better.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Be open and receptive to positive, negative, and constructive feedback. Go into the playtests with confidence. Set the stage for everyone, letting them know how long the game should take to play and if they\u2019ll be playing the full game or testing a specific aspect of it. From there, you just need to be a sponge \u2014 observing, listening, and taking notes. You may get frustrated at some points. It may be hard to hear some of the criticism, but everything you learn is going to improve your game in some way, and that has to be at the forefront of your mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Asking the right questions on your playtest feedback form<\/h3>\n

Your game should be fun and entertaining. However, simply asking people if they enjoyed playing, isn\u2019t incredibly useful information. You can\u2019t refine any elements of the board game design or generate new ideas with a comment like \u201cthe game wasn\u2019t fun.\u201d <\/span>You have to go deeper<\/span><\/a>. What wasn\u2019t fun about it? Was something hard to understand? Was there an element that took you out of the game?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You should be taking notes throughout the playtest, jotting down any verbal responses, but the best way to collect specific feedback is by providing your playtesters with a playtest feedback form.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are just a few questions that you might include:<\/span><\/p>\n