James also put together detailed notes and takeaways โ covering the multiplier confusion, cherub health feedback, camera control issues, and more. Full breakdown here: app.weplaytestgames.com/transcript/e...
We playtested Angel Clicker โ James loved the heaven vs hell soul-catching competition and the cherub resource-gathering animations. Full playtest session here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt5I...
This is where professional testing returns 10x what you invest. Having an issue-free game could be the difference between topping the steam charts and flopping completely.
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All issues were surfaced in games that had been played many times before, but the developers didn't realize they existed because they're too close to the game.
#10 - Camera Issues
Around 10% of games had issues where the camera fights the player, looks at the ceiling or doesn't focus on the right thing. Make sure it's not too zoomed in so the player can experience the breadth of your world.
#9 - Settings/Options missing
Many games completely lacked an options menu or it wasn't accessible in game. Make sure the settings actually work too, multiple games had issues saving settings or where changing them did nothing.
#8 - Players getting lost
So many games needed a map and didn't provide it. Waypoints are very useful, and make sure the game clearly explains what the player needs to do next so they don't end up wandering in circles.
#7 - Difficulty Imbalance
Many games started trivially easy followed by a brutal spike in difficulty after the tutorials. Guide players into the game without throwing everything at them from the outset. Lastly make sure it doesn't seem like enemies are "cheating".
#6 - Unintuitive or broken controls
Around 20% of the games had an awkward control scheme, using the wrong buttons for attack, reload, sprint etc. Stick to what the biggest games do to not frustrate the player, or allow button rebinding.
#5 - Missing feedback for player actions
It's important that every action the player takes has some sound and visual feedback so they know they're doing the right thing. Things like collecting items, taking damage, enemies reacting to damage are often forgotten.
#4 - Audio Issues
21% of games had issues with the default volume being too loud, no audio at all, or missing sound effects. A few games had bugs with audio when alt tabbing or restarting a play-through so make sure you test for that.
#3 - UI/UX issues
Testing at many resolutions is critical. We often found when playing in >1080p text became too small to read or blurry. Having UI scaling options can solve this.
#2 - Game-breaking bugs
In 39% of playtests we found bugs that were so large they either crashed the game, froze the controls, or soft-locked the player so they couldn't progress. The most frustrating were around saving the game, where it often completely failed.
#1 - Poor Onboarding
An astounding 68% of games had some issues with the tutorial, didn't fully explain the game, or onboarding was missing entirely. The best introductions are light on text, heavy on showing. Also make sure the core mechanics of your game are explained early.
We've playtested over 400 indie games, almost all of them had bugs and issues. We ran some analysis and today we're revealing the top mistakes these games made and how you can avoid them.
Full written breakdown with playtester notes on the resource system, building clarity, and defense timing is up too: app.weplaytestgames.com/transcript/5...
We playtested Boogie Fungi โ our playtester got so into the forager battles, yelling 'Bite him, my wasp!' while scrambling to keep the colony partying. Full session here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMF4...
Also put together a detailed breakdown with playtester notes on shop UI clarity, screen layout, and mechanic explanations that could help polish the experience: app.weplaytestgames.com/transcript/6...
We playtested Diecast -- our playtester called it "fun" and "kind of weird" in the best way, got totally hooked chasing dice synergies with copy kits and the poker die. Full session here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBgR...
We playtested How Many Dudes? by @bscotch.net
"The game is fun, funny, and fantastic"
youtu.be/Em0pWPdoVxY
"This game is super cute. I love the premise of it and can see the potential for the heart warming story that makes you emotional." - A playtest of Pieced Together by @glowfroggames.bsky.social
youtu.be/gBENyY71HHs
We tested Alabaster Dawn by @radicalfishgames.com
"tldr; I enjoyed my experience! The game atmosphere is amazing"
youtu.be/DGLPg1eGhcQ
We playtested NAME OF THE WILL by @zeitgeiststudio.net . Great game!
youtu.be/l0y97NOsKik
"There is still work to be done, but the core mechanics are good, the art style is well done. Just add more levels and I'll be glad to play this game all day." - A playtest of @againstallskies.bsky.social
youtu.be/5GDPnxeGRPE
Summarized Transcript with Top 3 Key Takeaways here: app.weplaytestgames.com/transcript/1...
"It was very enjoyable. Everything seems super polished and great."
A playtest of Dosa Divas by @outerloopgames.bsky.social
youtu.be/SPLibsgd0Hw
Summarized Transcript with Top 3 Key Takeaways here: app.weplaytestgames.com/transcript/6...
We playtested Umigari by @chillasart.bsky.social
"I really like the gameplay, using the harpoon to catch the fish is really exciting"
youtu.be/7ZodQ68GVVE
We playtested Surfpunk by @dblstallion.com
"The game is fun. I can see myself playing this game with my friends, maybe I should try it on co-op. I couldn't find any bugs so far."
youtu.be/jdM90YbPH4k
