Proposition - Game Testing Exchange System

[TheAnalogKid]

Hi,

I think this proposition could not only benefit my game testing needs, it could potentially benefit to every game developer here. Here is the problem: I need many testers to test my game(s) concerning different aspects. As far as I can tell, I can't really find any serious or dedicated tester (that's what it seems at least).

What I propose is a test exchange system: you test all my game levels and I test yours. Fair enough? To try having a kind of trusted exchange, I suggest that the tester gives a separated feedback per tested level. Each individual feedback would include:
- crash bugs
- system bugs (no crash but related to the system/hardware)
- game play bugs (according to game rules), including text syntax errors.
- was the level fun?
- how was the level difficulty? Too easy, too hard or just right?
- if you didn't succeed the level the first time, how many times did you retry?
- any suggested improvements

Other aspects in the feedback but for the game in a whole:
- OS, hardware (CPU, memory, graphics card), browser (if any) and JRE
- crash/freeze at start or when leaving the game
- any suggested improvements

What do you think? Clear enough?

Are you interested?

Feel free to comment what I'm proposing.

Thanks!

[h3ckboy]

I think this has been attempted before....

[Swattkidd7]

hmm, seems like it would work but reading it, but in actuality, a developer creating a game that they are getting ready to release and need testing wouldn't really have time to thoroughly test somebody else's game would they?

Games published by our own members! Go get 'em!

[TheAnalogKid]

I think this has been attempted before....

And what was the result?

a developer creating a game that they are getting ready to release and need testing wouldn't really have time to thoroughly test somebody else's game would they?

It depends, for me I like to play/test games here, it gives me a brake, free up my mind. Also I'm sure you learn by playing thoroughly others's games concerning game play, game design, graphics effects, etc.

[h3ckboy]

well, the end result was failure if I remember correctly.

However, what is the point of making a thread for this. There is a whole showcase section for exactly that....

[marinepower]

Count me in.  I agree that it is hard to find someone who will go into enough detail when providing feedback, so this seems like a great idea to get a proper response.  And considering that we're both game designers, this feedback will be even more relevant.

This is the game I'd like you to test:
http://www.java-gaming.org/topics/cremelian-wars-x-my-first-game/21315/view.html

I'll be able to check out your game either today or tomorrow.

[TheAnalogKid]

Cool! 

Are you ok with the report criteria I enumerated first? Feel free to give your suggestions ok?

About Incredibuilder, you'll have to play the 26 levels. And I'll start adding new ones soon but they won't be available until at least a couple of weeks.

Cremelian Wars X seems great. Haven't seen it here before. Note that I'm not a good RTS player though; I've played very few games of this genre so I hope it won't be a problem for the typical game player your're targeting.

[marinepower]

Sure, I'll work from the report.  Feel free to pm me it, or drop me an email @ eugene.raether@yahoo.com.

You not having much experience in the genre is perfectly fine.  In fact, it might even be advantageous since it will help me assess just how graspable the game is for a beginning player.

[Alric]

However, what is the point of making a thread for this. There is a whole showcase section for exactly that....

Most get a minimal amount of useful feedback. Very few get anything in the sort of detail described.

[TheAnalogKid]

Most get a minimal amount of useful feedback. Very few get anything in the sort of detail described.

Very true!