Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

AppGameKit Classic Chat / usertesting.com experience

Author
Message
Wilf
Valued Member
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Jun 2006
Location: Gone to Unity.
Posted: 5th Sep 2014 22:59 Edited at: 5th Sep 2014 23:24
Link
Hey guys, thought you might find this interesting.
I ran a lot of user-testing sessions when I was at Crytek, it was always useful for level designers get get forced out of their bubble.

Well, usertesting.com is a service that play-tests your app or website with real people. It certainly was an eye-opener for my son and I, watching three ladies play our AppGameKit game Pushdown.



My take away: never underestimate your audiences ability to miss what you think is obvious (the bomb explodes, lady. There's a timer and everything. Bombs are dangerous)

I think I'd definitely spend the money again to get these insights, even after play testing with friends and family.

Twitter: @itanican
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Naphier
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 2nd Oct 2010
Location: St Petersburg, Florida
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 09:24
Link
If I had $49/tester to spend on this it'd be great. For now I have to rely on manually recruiting beta testers. What I'd love to see is the AppGameKit community come together a bit more and help each other out with beta testing. A typical test takes less than 30 minutes of time and can be invaluable to the developer.
If you're willing to pay there are a ton of folks on Fiverr that will test apps for you. At $5 per tester it is a lot more reasonable.

Napland Games - Shape Time - Wordspionage - dFenz Facebook
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
MrValentine
AGK Backer
13
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Dec 2010
Playing: FFVII
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 11:16
Link
Quote: "[RANDOM RANT]Seriously 16 pinned posts? newcomers having just 4 on default 20 per page views... What?[/RANDOM RANT]"


Anyway If you guys need feedback for your games, send them to Video Reviewers unless you want to keep it hush hush ... but the public showing will act as free marketing too... though you should probably keep some message across the screen stating STILL IN DEVELOPMENT in case the reviewer forgets to reiterate it throughout the video...

That would lead to two things, err 3 things

- Free Beta Tester who is KEEN to test out the game and comment madly on it while also acting as a free Bug Finder as they tend to be very thorough... [Get them to Record their first experience as their video as this is even more better for testing]
- Feedback from their viewers there for you to see almost in real time
- FREE MARKETING

I know someone who might be interested in this as they also somewhat do the above [Game Reviews], Will remember to mention this tonight with them if anybody here is interested in a first chain contact...

Back to top
Profile PM
CJB
Valued Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Feb 2004
Location: Essex, UK
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 13:49
Link
Quote: "the bomb explodes, lady. There's a timer and everything. Bombs are dangerous"
LOL! That cracked me up. The game looks excellent by the way! Was that all in AppGameKit? Great work!

Uzmadesign
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Wilf
Valued Member
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Jun 2006
Location: Gone to Unity.
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 15:24
Link
Interesting, I didn't know about Fiverr. Will have to check that out!

Thanks CJB, yep all in AppGameKit Tier 1. It's my sons game, the concept and graphics are his. Dev thread is here

Twitter: @itanican
Back to top
Profile PM Email
29 games
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Nov 2005
Location: not entirely sure
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 17:29
Link
Heck, I'd review a game for a £5 (not dollars) but it depends what the game is.

Sometimes it can take a while to play enough of a game to construct meaningful opinions or observations. It then also takes time to communicate this to the developer in a way that provides useful insight.

I actually find it quite a challenge to play a game knowing that I'm going to write some sort of review / critique that's a little more than "like / dislike". I have to remember details about levels, what the levels were what was it that was good/bad and why and what improvements could be made.

Purple Complex: An Arcade Style First Person Tactical Shooter - full game available now
Hover Car Race Challenge Accepted! - full game available now
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Digital Awakening
AGK Developer
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Sweden
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 17:37
Link
Wilf:
I can't even stand watching her play. Some concepts can be outside of casual gamers. But you can definitely add in clear level numbers. You can also introduce new concepts with a help screen at the beginning of each level. Having arrows above things seems to be confusing for some players. I also struggle with things like these in my game.

MrValentine:
I am always looking for video reviews of my game. Link to download page in my signature.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Digital Awakening
AGK Developer
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Sweden
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 17:39
Link
Quote: "I actually find it quite a challenge to play a game knowing that I'm going to write some sort of review / critique that's a little more than "like / dislike". I have to remember details about levels, what the levels were what was it that was good/bad and why and what improvements could be made."

That's why what this woman does, by recording all her reactions, are very helpful to a developer. This is even better than watching someone play the game next to you.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
MrValentine
AGK Backer
13
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Dec 2010
Playing: FFVII
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 17:46
Link
Digital Awakening - Noted and will speak with them tonight, if they are not up for it, I might take the initiative

Back to top
Profile PM
Digital Awakening
AGK Developer
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Sweden
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 17:49
Link
Quote: " Noted and will speak with them tonight, if they are not up for it, I might take the initiative "

Sweet

Back to top
Profile PM Website
29 games
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Nov 2005
Location: not entirely sure
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 18:11
Link
Quote: "That's why what this woman does, by recording all her reactions, are very helpful to a developer."


I've not watched the video as the wifi I'm using has blocked it.

I've never done a video review so I don't know how I would approach it but I can see how it can be useful and possibly quicker than a written critique.

Purple Complex: An Arcade Style First Person Tactical Shooter - full game available now
Hover Car Race Challenge Accepted! - full game available now
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Digital Awakening
AGK Developer
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Sweden
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 18:48
Link
Quote: "I've never done a video review so I don't know how I would approach it but I can see how it can be useful and possibly quicker than a written critique."

The video above is not a review, it's basically a tester filming what she's doing and also giving live comments on what she's thinking. We get all her reactions as she experiences them. Getting into her mind we can understand her view of the game. It's not about critique, it's more like live feedback. It's not meant for public eyes but for the dev to use for improving the game.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
29 games
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Nov 2005
Location: not entirely sure
Posted: 6th Sep 2014 19:45 Edited at: 6th Sep 2014 19:54
Link
I've had a chance to watch the video now so it makes sense. It's more of an instant reaction to the game and how they interact it with it.

I also see that the woman's been given some things to specifically look at.

@Wilf, just out of interest how many play tester did you have for this? How many other videos did you get?

Purple Complex: An Arcade Style First Person Tactical Shooter - full game available now
Hover Car Race Challenge Accepted! - full game available now
Back to top
Profile PM Email
MrValentine
AGK Backer
13
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Dec 2010
Playing: FFVII
Posted: 7th Sep 2014 05:14 Edited at: 10th Sep 2014 01:13
Link
OK so without hijacking this topic, just want to say I have decided to take the initiative, beginning in a week or two though...

Probably best if closer to the end of the month so peeps can get content in to me...

Sadly this means I have to make a new YouTube account :/ but for your benefit I shall endure the pain! [Again]

Will post a new thread soon regarding this in Geek Culture... about time I put my new mic to good use!

General rule will be, I must be allowed to publish the videos, however there are other factors including how I receive the content and such...

Will get a PDD written up by Monday and Post by at least Tuesday!

EDIT

LOL I just wrote over two pages of guidelines and ideas of how the channel will operate... I have just a month to create intros and such and a JINGLE!

Excited!

2.5 pages now... and I believe I have the perfect name for the channel already!

EDIT

Posted a Job Ad in the 2D Art Showcase thread for any interested...

EDIT

NEW DEADLINE 15th September!

Posted The Hello World Channel to Geek Culture

Back to top
Profile PM
Wilf
Valued Member
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Jun 2006
Location: Gone to Unity.
Posted: 7th Sep 2014 14:43
Link
@Digital Awakening: Yes, the last two weeks have been spent doing just those two things.

@29 Games: I had three testers, all women, all on Android. I used their special offer where you get three for the price of two for the first test (so $98 total)

Twitter: @itanican
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2024-11-25 09:45:56
Your offset time is: 2024-11-25 09:45:56