Standing next to a group of people, instructing them how to play your game is one thing. Sending out just the game and rules and having the players fend for themselves is a very different animal. The latter is what's called blind play testing.
Archon Arena has been through quite a lot of in person play testing, but up until now no blind play tests have occurred. That is about to change!
The folks who frequent the chat area of The Game Crafter recently set up a playtest circle. Basically, designers post the games they have available. Others sign up to test them. The game is mailed to the first person, who plays it and gives feedback. Then they mail it to the next person on the list. It's a bit like a gaming a chain letter with no money involved.
This morning I put Archon Arena up on the list and almost immediately had two replies for players. It's very exciting to get the game out to a broader audience and hopefully get some constructive feedback.
So off I go to mail out the game. Then, I just have to sit back and wait for the (hopefully) good responses.
Image credit: Gastev - http://flic.kr/p/5vBCdn
Archon Arena has been through quite a lot of in person play testing, but up until now no blind play tests have occurred. That is about to change!
The folks who frequent the chat area of The Game Crafter recently set up a playtest circle. Basically, designers post the games they have available. Others sign up to test them. The game is mailed to the first person, who plays it and gives feedback. Then they mail it to the next person on the list. It's a bit like a gaming a chain letter with no money involved.
This morning I put Archon Arena up on the list and almost immediately had two replies for players. It's very exciting to get the game out to a broader audience and hopefully get some constructive feedback.
So off I go to mail out the game. Then, I just have to sit back and wait for the (hopefully) good responses.
Image credit: Gastev - http://flic.kr/p/5vBCdn
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