Overview:
This week in Game Design, we have finished up our game prototypes. The last step is playtesting... What is playtesting?: Simply put, playtesting is when a game designer tests their game for errors and for other things that should be changed. They usually have random, non game designers play the game, so there are no biased opinions. The game designer gives them a survey, asking questions about the game. How it works: Most importantly you have the playtesters play the game. You then ask the playtesters to rate aspects of the game, such as their least favorite things about it. Also, you want to get demographic information such as the age and gender of the players, to see who it appeals to most. You want to then use the unbiased opinions to work out the errors in your game. Then, eventually you can release the final product. Additional research: I did some additional research to find insightful questions to ask the playtesters of my game. I needed the questions to be thought provoking, such as "Can you explain why the victorious player won?" not questions like "Did you like it?" The questions need to help me get find problems in the game, and how they can be fixed. Summary: -Playtesting uses constructive criticism to improve prototype games. -You want the questions to help the playtesters think deeply about the game. -You want the answers to tell you what needs to be done to make the game better. Links: https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/WesleyRockholz/20140418/215819/10_Insightful_Playtest_Questions.php https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/283044/5_questions_you_should_be_asking_playtesters_to_get_meaningful_feedback.php http://www.gameacademy.com/questions-ask-playtesters/
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What is Wargame: Red Dragon?:
Wargame is a war themed strategy game made by Eugen systems. In the game you create your own decks using equipment from real world armies. In a deck, you make a small battalion of different types of vehicles, such as helicopters, recon, tanks, logistics, etc. You can use these decks against the computer or against other people in multiplayer. There is also a campaign mode, where you play as a battle strategist in a fictional conflict. You decide where your units go and where they will battle. Pros: -Highly detailed map -Lots of freedom in making decks -Quality game flow -The game is unique Cons: -Some vehicle models are low quality -You need a beefy computer to play the game -Rounds can last many hours -Low quality tutorial Explanation: For the pros of the game, the maps are highly detailed, with tons of variety. There are ocean maps, desert maps, jangle maps, and farmland maps. You can also burn down forests or topple buildings. Next, most countries in the game have a lot of vehicles in their decks. This gives you a lot of freedom to make a deck the way you want to. In addition, the game flows really well, when you call out a unit, it appears almost immediately, it does not lag and take forever to appear, and goes right to the spot where you requested it. Also, the game is very unique, there aren't many other games on the market besides the Wargame series that are highly detailed military strategy games, where you can control whole armies. For the cons of the game, some vehicles in game are low quality with blurry textures. Also, you need a beefy computer to play. Otherwise, you will have a hard time playing on large maps, with so many units moving around, it can lag or crash your game. In addition, rounds can last many hours, both in singleplayer and multiplayer, so this game is geared more towards hardcore gamers. Finally, the games tutorial is very vague. It only teaches you the basics, and no tips or tactics. So, if you are just starting out it will take a lot of practice to get really good at it. |
AuthorMy name is Adam Servas, Categories
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The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Durham School of the Arts or Durham Public Schools.
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