Running a successful playtest is valuable only if you can effectively communicate your findings to decision-makers and persuade them to implement necessary changes. Here's how we recommend presenting your playtest results to your boss and encourage action.

Tip 1: Understand Your Audience

When crafting your report, consider who will be reading it. For executives, focus on high-level insights that impact business objectives like user retention and monetization. If you're presenting to designers and developers, highlight specific gameplay mechanics, user interface issues, and technical challenges. For non-technical teams, use simple language free of jargon to ensure clarity. Always use clear, concise language and include playtester quotes to humanize the data.

Tip 2: Turn Data into Actionable Steps

Convert your raw data into insights that guide decisions. Highlight key issues by focusing on significant patterns and recurring problems affecting user experience. Don't ignore unexpected findings just make a note of them and perhaps it will spon a new test. Provide context to explain why issues occur and how they affect the game's success. For example, if many players find the onboarding process confusing and quit early, simplifying the tutorial could improve user retention by up to 20%.

Tip 3: Show Don't Tell

Use visual aids to make your ideas memorable. Simple charts and graphs can illustrate data trends and potential improvements in revenue or engagement. Annotated screenshots can highlight specific game issues, showing how fixing them offers a competitive edge. Short video clips from playtests can display player reactions, emphasizing the need for changes. Always include captions or explanations to ensure your message is clear. For instance, demonstrating how improving the matchmaking system enhances the multiplayer experience can lead to longer play sessions and increased in-game purchases.

Tip 4: Emphasize the Benefits

Align your proposed changes with the company's goals. Explain how they can increase revenue, boost market share, or enhance user engagement. Show how improvements can set your game apart from competitors and enhance player enjoyment and loyalty. For example, fixing the PvP matchmaking system can lead to longer play sessions and more in-game purchases, directly benefiting the company's bottom line.

Tip 5: Be Concise, Prioritize

Respect your boss's time by keeping your report focused. Prioritize issues by ranking problems based on their impact on the game and the ease of implementation. Keep it brief by including only essential details in the main report and placing additional data in appendices.

Tip 6: Anticipate Questions 

Prepare for potential concerns by addressing issues like resource constraints, timelines, and risks. Suggest efficient ways to implement changes without overextending the team, propose adjustments that fit within existing schedules, and provide evidence that benefits outweigh potential risks. By considering these areas, you strengthen your position and handle objections effectively.

Tip 7: Propose Clear Next Steps

Your playtest cost money, now it's time to prove that the playtest costs were worth it and also that your salary is worth it. Take what you have learned and facilitate action with a detailed plan. Offer an action plan outlining specific steps to implement your recommendations. Assign responsibilities by identifying team members best suited for each task. Set realistic milestones to establish timelines for completion, keeping progress on track.

Tip 8: Encourage Collaboration

To finish everything up its team to get the meeting participants involved. You can do this by promoting and encouraging teamwork in implementing changes. Invite feedback from your boss and colleagues, encouraging them to share their thoughts so everyone feels included. Offer support by showing willingness to assist in planning and execution. Highlight how these changes will positively impact everyone's work. You might say something like, "I'm excited to hear your perspectives on these findings and discuss how we can collaboratively enhance our game."

Tip 9: Highlight the Risks of Inaction

Put a big punctuation at the end of your meeting by emphasising the consequences of not addressing issues. Unresolved problems can lead to user attrition, as players may leave the game out of frustration. This dissatisfaction can result in negative reviews, harming the game's reputation. Decreased engagement can reduce revenue, impacting the company's financial health. For example, neglecting control responsiveness issues might lead to negative reviews and a 15% drop in downloads.

You Can Do It! We Believe in You!

Presenting your playtest results is an opportunity to advocate for the game's success. By understanding your audience, organizing your report effectively, and aligning your insights with business goals, you increase the chances your recommendations will be accepted. Your ultimate aim is to improve the game, satisfy players, and contribute to the company's success.