Playtest
Encyclopedia
A playtest is the process by which a game designer tests a new game for bugs and flaws before bringing it to market. Playtests can be run "open", "closed", "beta", or otherwise.
Playtests are very common with computer games, board games and role-playing game
s, where they have become an established part of the quality control
process.
In the computer games industry, playtesting refers specifically to the process of exposing a game in development (or some specific parts of it) to its intended audience, to identify potential design flaws and gather suggestions. It should not be confused with Quality Assurance (QA) testing, which is the process in which professional testers look for and report specific software bugs to be fixed by the development team.
An open playtest could be considered open to anyone who wishes to join, or it may refer to a game company's recruiting testers from outside. Closed is an internal testing process not available to the public. Beta testing normally refers to the final stages of testing just prior to going to market with a product and is usually run semi-open with a limited form of the game in order to find any last-minute problems.
The playtest concept has even carried over into a full-fledged sport. Jim Foster, inventor and founder of the Arena Football League, tested his concept of indoor football in a special one-time game in 1986. The Rockford Metros
and the Chicago Politicians
, played the game in Rockford, Illinois
. The test proved successful, and four teams began the league's first season the following year.
Playtests are very common with computer games, board games and role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s, where they have become an established part of the quality control
Quality control
Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
process.
In the computer games industry, playtesting refers specifically to the process of exposing a game in development (or some specific parts of it) to its intended audience, to identify potential design flaws and gather suggestions. It should not be confused with Quality Assurance (QA) testing, which is the process in which professional testers look for and report specific software bugs to be fixed by the development team.
An open playtest could be considered open to anyone who wishes to join, or it may refer to a game company's recruiting testers from outside. Closed is an internal testing process not available to the public. Beta testing normally refers to the final stages of testing just prior to going to market with a product and is usually run semi-open with a limited form of the game in order to find any last-minute problems.
The playtest concept has even carried over into a full-fledged sport. Jim Foster, inventor and founder of the Arena Football League, tested his concept of indoor football in a special one-time game in 1986. The Rockford Metros
Rockford Metros
The Rockford Metros was an Arena football team formed by Arena Football League founder Jim Foster for the purposes of playing a "test game" in Rockford, Illinois in the spring of 1986 at the MetroCentre. The team was named after the MetroCentre itself. Players were taken from different semi-pro...
and the Chicago Politicians
Chicago Politicians
The Chicago Politicians was a team formed in 1986 by Arena Football League founder Jim Foster to play an initial "test game" in Rockford, Illinois at the MetroCentre. They were defeated by the Rockford Metros, 30-18...
, played the game in Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
. The test proved successful, and four teams began the league's first season the following year.
See also
- Quality controlQuality controlQuality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
- Software testingSoftware testingSoftware testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software...
- User acceptance testing