Unity 2D game development, conducting playtests and incorporating feedback Collecting player feedback and improving the game.

Game development is not just about writing code and adding art. Reflecting player experiences and feedback is a crucial factor in enhancing the quality of a game. Especially in 2D games, where interaction with players is vital, playtesting and the feedback collection process are essential. In this article, we will delve deep into the importance of playtesting and how to incorporate feedback in the process of developing 2D games in Unity.

1. The Necessity of Playtesting

Playtesting is the process of collecting issues or complaints that arise as users play the game. This process is important for several reasons:

  • Evaluating Game Fun: Through playtesting, you can objectively assess the fun elements of the game.
  • Improving User Experience: Identifying the discomforts players experience can lead to improvements in user experience.
  • Finding Bugs and Issues: You can quickly fix bugs or issues discovered by real users.

2. Selecting Playtesters

Choosing the right playtesters is crucial for effective playtesting. Testers should come from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. They are usually selected based on the following criteria:

  • People Who Enjoy Games: It is best to include people who enjoy the genre of the game. They already have a good understanding of the genre’s elements.
  • Diverse Experience Levels: Including players from beginners to experts widens the scope of feedback.

3. Preparing for Playtesting

The process of preparing for playtesting can be divided into the following steps:

  1. Setting Goals: Establish the purpose of the playtest. For example, if you want to evaluate the difficulty of a specific level, you should prepare questions accordingly.
  2. Creating a Testing Environment: Create an environment where players can comfortably play the game. Prepare screens or audio equipment if necessary.
  3. Writing Scenarios and Test Flows: Organize what players will be playing in detail. For example, define which level they will play and how much they need to know about the story.

4. Conducting Playtesting

Points to note during playtesting include:

  • Observation: Carefully observe the players’ reactions and behaviors as they play the game. It is important to take notes on where they experience difficulties.
  • Preparing a Question List: After the play session, obtain feedback from players through questions. For example, prepare questions like, “What was the most fun part?”, “Where did you find it difficult?”

5. Collecting and Analyzing Feedback

After the testing, it is necessary to analyze the collected feedback. In this process, consider the following factors:

  • Quantitative Data: Organize responses to specific questions numerically. For example, quantify responses to the question “Is this game fun?” to derive an average.
  • Qualitative Data: Opinions or suggestions left by players are very valuable. This helps to identify concrete issues.

6. Establishing Improvement Plans

Once analysis is complete, you should establish an improvement plan based on the feedback.

  1. Setting Priorities: Decide which issues should be addressed first. For instance, bugs should be resolved as a priority.
  2. Communicating with the Team: Share feedback within the development team and discuss improvement items.
  3. Creating Prototypes: Create prototypes reflecting the revisions and conduct playtesting again.

7. Example Code: Building a Feedback Collection System

In Unity, you can build a simple system to efficiently collect player feedback. Below is an example of feedback collection using a C# script.


// FeedbackManager.cs
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEngine.UI;

public class FeedbackManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    public InputField feedbackField; // Feedback input field
    public Button submitButton; // Submit button
    public Text feedbackDisplay; // Feedback display text

    private void Start()
    {
        submitButton.onClick.AddListener(SubmitFeedback);
    }

    private void SubmitFeedback()
    {
        string feedback = feedbackField.text;
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(feedback))
        {
            feedbackDisplay.text += feedback + "\n"; // Display feedback
            feedbackField.text = ""; // Reset input field
            Debug.Log("Feedback Submitted: " + feedback); // Output submitted feedback
        }
    }
}

7.1 Setting Up Unity UI

To use the above code, you need to set up UI elements in Unity:

  1. Right Click in Hierarchy -> Add UI -> Canvas.
  2. Right Click under Canvas -> Add UI -> InputField and Button.
  3. Change the Placeholder and Text of the InputField appropriately, and set the Button’s Text to “Submit”.
  4. Drag the FeedbackManager script into the Button’s OnClick event to link it.

8. Conclusion

Playtesting and incorporating feedback are key elements in enhancing the quality of a game in game development. Listening to the voices of players and reflecting them in game development is not easy, but the result can lead to the success of the game. Through a feedback collection system utilizing Unity, we hope you can develop your game to be more fun and user-friendly.

Thank you. In the next article, we will cover game distribution and updates!