When in game development mode, playtesting is one of the most essential stages to set up your game for success. Playtests help game designers see how their ideas and concepts translate into player experiences, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the game. 

However, running a playtest is only half the battle. The real value lies in gathering and analyzing feedback that can inform design improvements. But as the seasoned veterans know, not all feedback is created equal. Knowing what type of feedback is critical during your playtests can make the difference between refining a game that players love and releasing a product that misses the mark.

In this blog, we’ll explore the types of feedback that are essential for successful playtesting and how to effectively analyze that feedback to create better games.

1. First Impressions Feedback

First impressions matter - in life - but especially in gaming. The first-time user experience is crucial because it determines whether players will want to continue playing your game or quit within the first few minutes. During playtests, focus on how easily players can grasp the mechanics, controls, and objectives. Ask specific questions such as:

• Was the tutorial clear and helpful?

• Did they understand how to play without external help?

• Was the onboarding process intuitive, or did they feel overwhelmed?

Collecting feedback on the FTUE helps you assess how well your game communicates its rules and objectives to newcomers. It’s important to see if your target audience finds the game accessible or if there are barriers to entry, such as confusing UI or a steep learning curve. Ignoring FTUE feedback could result in a game that fails to attract or retain new players.

2. Gameplay Mechanics and Balance

The heart of any game is its mechanics. Ensuring that gameplay feels smooth and rewarding is critical for the overall player experience. During playtests, focus on gathering feedback about the game's core mechanics—combat, movement, puzzle-solving, resource management, or other systems specific to your game genre.

Key questions to consider:

• Are the mechanics intuitive and enjoyable?

• Does the game feel balanced, or are certain abilities, weapons, or strategies overpowered?

• Do players feel in control, or is the game too random or too punishing?

A lot of frustration can stem from unbalanced gameplay. For instance, if a particular weapon or character ability is significantly stronger than others, it might result in a less enjoyable experience, especially in competitive or cooperative multiplayer games. If your playtesters report frustration with certain mechanics or difficulty spikes, pay close attention, as this feedback can directly impact the playability and fun of your game.

3. Emotional Engagement and Player Reactions

Understanding how players feel while playing your game is invaluable feedback. You want to know whether they are having fun, feeling immersed in the story, or perhaps growing frustrated with certain elements. Emotional engagement is often tied to the game’s pacing, story, aesthetics, and the challenge level.

Some questions to ask yourself to gauge the emotional feedback of your playtesters:

• What emotions did the game evoke during key moments? (Excitement, frustration, joy, boredom?)

• Were there any points where they felt especially engaged or disconnected?

• Was the game’s challenge level appropriate for keeping them motivated to continue playing?

Incorporating emotional feedback can help you adjust the pacing, difficulty, and atmosphere to match the emotional beats you aim for. For example, if players report feeling bored during certain sections, it might mean those areas need more action or variation in gameplay.

4. Replayability and Long-Term Engagement

A key factor in many successful games is how often players want to return after their first playthrough. Replayability feedback helps you determine if your game has long-term appeal, especially for games designed to be played multiple times, such as roguelikes or multiplayer titles.

Take notice of:

• If they feel motivated to play again after completing the first session?

• Did they notice any variety in subsequent playthroughs or matches?

• What aspects of the game could increase replay value (e.g., unlockables, challenges, or multiplayer features)?

If your game lacks replayability, you might need to add more features that encourage multiple playthroughs, such as alternate endings, character progression, or competitive elements.

Conclusion

Collecting and reviewing playtest feedback is an essential step in creating a successful game. The critical types of feedback that should be a priority include first-time user experience, gameplay mechanics and balance, emotional engagement, usability, replayability, and technical performance. By focusing on these areas during your playtests, you’ll be better equipped to refine your game and deliver a polished experience that resonates with players. Understanding what feedback matters most and knowing how to act on it can elevate your game from good to great. Still not sure how to review your playtest feedback? No problem We can do it for you! Try out our expert user research services.