Playtesting was crucial for the development of my game this semester. As the developer, I had a deep understanding of the gameplay, so it was essential to witness how others approached it with new viewpoints. Through playtesting, I was able to pinpoint bugs and witness challenges that I might have overlooked. I observed how various individuals interpreted the narrative, tackled the puzzles, and reacted to the game’s pacing and design.

I carried out playtests with a diverse group of participants, ranging in age from 12 to 65, who had different backgrounds of gaming and puzzle-solving skills. This variety helped me assess the game’s accessibility and how various players engaged with the challenges. Additionally, it allowed me to evaluate the overall difficulty and find ways to enhance the experience for a wider audience.

During each session, I encouraged participants to speak their thoughts out loud and explain their reasoning while they played. This offered valuable insights into their approaches to different sections and what they found either perplexing or enjoyable. I meticulously recorded their feedback—what they appreciated, where they faced obstacles, and any bugs they stumbled upon. In the initial playtests, I occasionally had to help players when they got stuck, revealing areas where I needed to enhance clarity or design for more seamless gameplay without making puzzles overly simplistic.

Watching other play the game provided me with essential feedback. Non-gamers often interacted with the mechanics in surprising ways, uncovering flaws I hadn’t anticipated. Conversely, more seasoned players who completed the puzzles with more ease, demonstrated how I could fine-tune the puzzles to make them more intuitive and rewarding.

After each session, I held a discussion with the player to collect additional feedback. I then reviewed my notes, reflected on their input, and made adjustments to enhance the game based on what I discovered. This iterative approach enabled me to improve both the gameplay and user experience.