Gamestar+Mechanic+Lesson+5

__**Playtesting and Feeback:**__

Before a game is released, it has to be tested. Like all software, it has to be tested for bugs, but games also have to be **playtested**. A game has to be fun to play and well balanced. If a game is too easy or too hard, or dull to play people will not want to buy it.

When testing software, companies often use people from outside of the development process, such as specialist testing companies or individual gamers. An outside perspective is very useful for testing. The testers have to give feedback to the games developers - information about how the game plays.

You will be giving feedback to other pupils in the class. It is important that your feedback is **positive** and **constructive**. The goal of your feedback is to allow the person that designed the game to make improvements.

Here are some sentences that you could use when making your feedback:
 * I thought you did a good job with...
 * One area that could be improved is...
 * The core mechanic was... It was fun to...
 * The visual design was... and it made me feel...

__**Task 1:**__

You will be working in pairs for this task with the person next to you. Your teacher will help assign pairs if you are unsure.

One person will play the game created by the other member of the pair in lesson 4 for 5 to 10 minutes. After that point they will fill in a feedback sheet:

After this is done, the pair will swap about, with person who whas testing showing their game to the other member of the pair.

Hint: While someone is testing your game, it is a good idea to simply watch what their reactions are without talking. You will get a good idea of how much they are enjoying your game, as well as picking up on any frustrations that they have.

__**Task 2:**__

Based on the feedback you recieved from your partner, alter your game.

After your game has been changed, you may let your partner playtest the game again. Are there further changes that could be made.

__**Extension:**__

Use the search function in the Game Alley to find the games made by other members of the class, by searching for their user name. Try out their games and prepare feedback for them.