Overview

Characters add flair to the Ludo board—but what kind of flair actually clicks with players?

Before finalizing a new set of stylized hero avatars, the studio partnered with Lysto to concept test which visual styles and character traits players connected with most, primarily for the MENA region.

The goal was clear: learn which avatars felt fun, familiar, and exciting to play with—and understand the why behind those preferences.

Challenge

In a game as casual and familiar as Ludo, character design walks a fine line: too simple, and it's forgettable. Too bold, and it might alienate the core audience. The team wanted to test:

• Which of the three visual variants for each character resonated most?

• What emotional/visual cues drove those preferences?

• Whether certain character types appealed more to certain player profiles?

Lysto's Playtest Strategy

This was a concept test, not a live playtest.

We used structured remote surveys to gather feedback across 8 different character sets, each featuring 3 visual variants. The survey was structured by our in-house Expert User Researchers in a manner that ensured the sentiment behind answers were captured, with no leading questions.

What we tested:

• Player preference per character variant

• Likelihood to play Ludo with each avatar

• Motivations: design appeal, personality traits, perceived playstyle

• Open-ended inputs to capture player sentiment and personality

What is Concept Playtesting?

Unlike gameplay testing, conceptual playtesting focuses on evaluating early ideas—from visual direction to themes or features. Through surveys, reactions, or prototypes, teams gather feedback on whether a concept resonates before investing in full development.

Using our Advanced Player Targeting system and network of gamers (across genres through communities and tournaments held), we recruited 50 Ludo players aged 16–34 (across genders), as specified by the studio, including the MENA region.

The survey and it's analysis was completed in a total of 3 days.

Key Findings

1. Visual Identity Was the Deciding Factor

Top reasons for selecting avatars:

• Costume design

• Pose/attitude

• Weapon or fighting style

These elements helped players imagine how a static character could feel dynamic in-game.

2. Familiarity with a twist

While some noted similarities to other games (e.g., Frag Pro Shooter), most appreciated the unique take within the Ludo context.

3. Monetization signals emerged

Players most willing to spend cited character style, personality, and how cool they'd feel using them on the board as their primary reasons.

4. Strong willingness to play

The majority said they would play Ludo with these avatars—validating that stylized characters added appeal without disrupting the casual vibe.

Results

Three distinct personas surfaced:

• The Style-Seeker: Drawn to visual polish and bold aesthetics

• The Story-Imaginator: Connects emotionally with implied traits or backstory

• The Gamer-Fan: Relates designs to characters from favorite titles

There were clear winners across all 8 character sets:

• Visual and emotional drivers linked to player intent

• Actionable personas for art, marketing, and monetization teams

• Validation that stylized characters can refresh Ludo without alienating casual players

Conclusion

In casual games, character design still matters—especially when it balances fun, personality, and familiarity. This concept test showed how early feedback can shape smarter creative decisions. With the right visuals, even a timeless game like Ludo can feel brand new.

If you’re a game publisher or developer with a title in the pre-production stage, want help to test concepts, or simply have any questions on how a playtest can improve your chances of a successful game, let’s talk.