Part of the life of being a game designer is not only building your game prototype but also playtesting it. Game Designers consistently struggle with this part. Getting playtesters AND getting accurate feedback can be one of the most difficult challenges you could face when designing a game so let’s explore this topic some!

This is the advice you’ll likely hear if you ask about getting good feedback in a board gaming group.

1. Ask them, “did you like the game?”
2. “What was your favorite part?”
3. “Did you feel it resonated with you?”
4. “How well does the theme fit?”

All these questions are pretty much donkey piss though.

When you ask a human, especially face to face, a question like this, they are going to toss a softball your way. Worse than that, many people will likely lie or greatly fudge their feelings in order to come across as nice, which is why this whole step is pointless.

So, what should you do?!
I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do and you need to become a freaking master at it.

It’s nothing elegant or magical, but it’s needed.

When having playtesters play your game, watch the expressions on their faces.

Are they smiling? Are they laughing? What questions are they having? Which cards, text, or rules are confusing them?

Take these notes during the game or have someone off to the side taking the notes.

This is what’s important.

Actions are far more important than the words they give you to “was the game good.” Pay close attention.

Bonus points if they ask to play again or where they can sign up to be notified when your game is ready for Kickstarter, pre-order, or release.

Sure, you can still ask them if they had fun, we all do, for the little ego boost, but for the love of the great man in the skies, don’t let it replace what truly matters.

Take care and stay awesome!
Vincent