2.4 Playtest Paper Prototype

Your team will conduct playtesting sessions with your paper prototype, in order to evaluate and improve your game's design.

Playtesting of a prototype for a game is similar to user testing of a prototype for a website, app, or device.

You'll playtest your paper prototype within your own team and then with people outside your team.

1. Within your team, playtest your paper prototype to evaluate and refine your game design and/or paper prototype.

   • Have one person on your team act as the player. The player can perform any actions allowed by the procedures and rules of the game.

   • Another person on your team will act as the "computer" by responding to the player's actions and controlling non-player characters and game objects — according to the procedures and rules of the game.

   • Focus on making sure the core gameplay makes sense and matches your targeted gaming motivations and player experience goals.

   • As necessary, make additions or revisions to your game design document and/or paper prototype.

2. Record a brief video (about 1-3 minutes) demonstrating your core gameplay with your paper prototype.

   • Provide narration (or captions) to explain the key features of the gameplay.

3. Partner with another team to have them playtest your paper prototype.

   • Your team should describe your game's targeted gaming motivations and player experience goals. Then briefly explain your game's premise and objective — as well as the basic actions that the player can perform.

   • One person from the external team will act as the player. Ask the player to “Think Aloud” while playtesting the game.

   • One person on your team will act as the "computer" to respond to the player's actions and control the non-player characters and game objects.

   • Another person on your team should record notes on issues and feedback.

   • After playtesting, the two teams can discuss the game in more detail to generate constructive feedback on the game's design.

   • When finished, the two teams should switch roles to playtest the other team's paper prototype.

4. Within your team, analyze the notes from the external playtesting to evaluate and improve your game's design.

   • Create a list of key game design issues to resolve, and generate design ideas to address them.

   • Make any necessary additions or revisions to your game design document.

❏ Deliverable

Submit the following for your team:

• video demonstrating your core gameplay with your paper prototype

• list of key issues in game design and changes made to address them

• updated game design document

Here are videos demonstrating paper prototypes of video games:

• Paper Prototype 1 — Remote Control

• Paper Prototype 2 — Flying Toucan

• Paper Prototype 3 — Monkey vs. Mosquito