Playtesting

[Moggthegob]

Due to an odd circumstance where I managed to win the dnd open I am now an official playtester for 4e. Oddly tho, I wasnt really sure if I wanted to switch to 4e. I havent really liked the previews they have given so far. I was expecting like an I pod or something like they gave last year. So it is, if nothing else an interesting prize( i get a free copy of all 4e books for a year also). So my question, for those who have playtested before, how often is playtesting feedback taken.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

How much your advice is taken into account depends entirely upon the designers.

I'll say this:

Usually, there are several players in a given playtest group who are going to play PCs in the game's sweet spot. This is important- if the game doesn't work for the mainstream PCs, its going to suck.

However, my personal method of playtesting is to try to push the extremes to find out where the system breaks down and why. Fringe PCs have a way of pointing out flaws.

Figure out which one you want to be and keep that mindset in the fore when you're choosing your character.

Good Luck!

 

[theredrobedwizard]

If you are in need of any assistance, I'd be happy to... um... assist. Or, if you feel like backing out, I could do all the work for you.

I'm a nice guy like that.

-TRRW

 

[Glyfair]

How much your advice is taken into account depends entirely upon the designers.

This bears repeating.

I've never playtested for WotC, but have playtested games for other companies. Don't assume because you had a criticism that it will be changed because of it. It doesn't mean they aren't listening to you. I could mean the other playtesters disagreed. It could mean that your idea was sound, but the solution would causes issues elsewhere, and they had a different design goal.

Basically, don't take it personally if they go against something you said was a problem.

I agree with DannyAlcatraz about the fringe vs. mainstream. In fact, I recommend having a varied playtest group. Have a powergamer who will test the power combinations. Have a rules lawyer to find the rules loopholes. Have a newish player to make sure the rules make sense to a new player. The more variety the better.

 

[Moggthegob]

Well I am unsure of the detials at this point. I kno I like to pla stuf thamt akes sense for mycharacter but also things that can pack some clout. I was hoping to get otp lay a gnomish wizard for it. I wonder if i raise enoguh hell about wanting to play one if theyll get included in the PHB like they should....

 

[breschau]

I've playtested for Green Ronin before. The feedback really does depend on the designers. But, what you're looking for is slightly more about finding the breaks in the system than if it's fun. Yes, fun is just as important as the system. But fun is different for everyone, the system remains the same.

If you do a good enough job and work well with the designers, who knows, you might be able to playtest other books as well.

Have fun.

PS: as much as I'd like you too, and everyone else on these boards would like you to, no matter what, do NOT break your NDA. Don't utter a word about anything to anyone without WotC permission.

 

[A'koss]

It's been a long time, but I've playtested for WotC in the past. And as I recall they used a set a pre-generated (1st - 20th level) baseline "iconic" characters to test against monsters and such... But to answer your earlier question, they break playtesting down into different areas of the game for different groups. And playtesting does have an impact - I remember several or more suggestions that made it into the final game... but certainly not all.

 

[Glyfair]

PS: as much as I'd like you too, and everyone else on these boards would like you to, no matter what, do NOT break your NDA. Don't utter a word about anything to anyone without WotC permission.

Indeed, I find myself avoiding mentioning that I playtested certain games, even though my name appears in the credits

 

[F4NBOY]

Whom do I have to bribe to be a playtester?

 

[breschau]

It's been a long time, but I've playtested for WotC in the past. And as I recall they used a set a pre-generated (1st - 20th level) baseline "iconic" characters to test against monsters and such... But to answer your earlier question, they break playtesting down into different areas of the game for different groups. And playtesting does have an impact - I remember several or more suggestions that made it into the final game... but certainly not all.

That's interesting. My experience (not with WotC) was being given the entire game as a beta, then our feedback was gathered and that was it. And like you, we didn't know what was in or out until the book hit the shelves.