Anyone interested in testing a super rough concept on Table Top Simulator? I'll probably be available for the next hour or so
Playtest with me tonight?
Wed, 09/15/2021 - 21:54
Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:19
#1
Next Time...
...Any chance you can provide a bit of advance notice for something like this for future playtest sessions?
Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:49
#2
Hmm... A bit of a different approach may be more "fruitful"
Maybe asking WHO might be interested in Playtesting a TableTop Simulator Prototype FIRST... Might help and then figure out through some Private Messages when is the best time. This all-or-nothing type of post is a bit ineffective in encouraging people to help.
My advice is the following:
1. Figure out who is willing to playtest first (ie. who has TableTop Simulator) and is interested in playtesting too.
2. Figure out a joint time at which you can playtest together.
This will do wonders to yield a better rate of success than just picking some random night when nobody is online to try it.
Best.
Thu, 09/16/2021 - 09:48
#3
Willing
I'd be willing to play for sure. Maybe Friday night???
Fri, 09/17/2021 - 00:03
#4
Good advice, plus...
As a professional developer, stating that it's "super rough" doesn't fill me with confidence that any playtest will prove effective.
PM me at your convenience and I can discuss with you some things to consider, including pitching the concept, identifying a target audience, and what's in it for the folks giving their time to assist you.
Cheers,
Joe
Sat, 09/18/2021 - 12:13
#6
No to Discord
...has BGDF ever considered a Discord group for more live things? Voice chats and seeing who is online?
Yes and no. The problem with Discord is that is doesn't persist your conversation into logical threads. Therefore everything is TEMPORAL. As such being a forum and chatting is two different activities. So yes I have considered it and no I am not interested in it.
Like I said, the BEST way is to first SEE who is interested in playing. Post up a thread about YOUR game and ask who is interested in playtesting. That's step #1. You'll probably get a couple people willing to be Guiney Pigs...
Next setup a mutual time through the same thread and it should be less of an issue. It's all about HOW you go about to get people interested. It can be done ... Just requires a bit of planning.
Cheers!
Note #1: We did have a IIRC Chat Channel on BGDF.com but nobody ever used it. It's much like the "Review" Section which I am trying to "revive". Basically not enough interest for the time and effort required to Moderate it and so forth...
Incidentally the "Reviews" section is OPEN to ANYONE who PLAYS a game and wants to SHARE their opinion of the game with EVERYONE else. This is for games that are COMPLETED and published, be it self-publisher or via a Publisher...
Time will tell if this section gets anyone interested in commenting from a Designer's Viewpoint, their own experiences. Really it's an interesting forum ... Because it can open up the debate between several perspectives!
Sun, 09/19/2021 - 04:46
#7
HI Juzek,
if you are on fb,
HI Juzek,
if you are on fb, this group is good for playtesting, they were also discussing about opening a discord server soon.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoardGamePlaytestersGuild/?multi_permali...
This aside, if you want to open a discord server for playtesting, drop the link here and I'll be happy to join, nonetheless I have no TTS only Tabletopia.
Cheers,
Antonio
Sun, 09/19/2021 - 13:55
#8
I am in the same boat as Antonio
...I have no TTS only Tabletopia.
I don't have TableTop Simulator (TTS) and can only play games designed for TableTopia (TTA). The reason I prefer TTA over TTS is that I don't need to install STEAM. I hate clients that install themselves and then allow themselves to be self-updating and slow down my computer when they do their updates (Download & installation).
TTA only allow you to make ONE (1) Free Game and then you need to pay a monthly $9 USD/month. I currently only have TradeWorlds on TTA... And for now that is enough. So it's Free because it is only one (1) game.
TTS is a lot more reasonable when it comes to pricing: $19.99 for TTS. And you only need to buy/pay ONCE. Then you can create all kinds of DLCs for the games that you design and you can share those with playtesters and get good value for the purchase price.
If ONLY TTS did NOT use STEAM, I would BUY it and USE it. Cheers.
Mon, 09/20/2021 - 07:59
#9
Scheduling is Key
As someone who professionally develops board games, I contend that the biggest issue facing designers isn't creativity or necessarily finding people to assist in the myriad rounds of playtesting, but instead, actually scheduling the activity. Whether you're an athlete or a 6-year old piano student, what separates you from everyone else is dedicating the time to your craft. Yes, motivation and aptitude will take you far, but only time will make the difference.
To that end, first find some time in your day, week, etc and fence it off to pursue your design. Only then can you reach out to others and request assistance. If you want to chat, let me know, I provide a 30-min Skype (or other video service) gratis to discuss these items with prospective clients.
Cheers,
Joe
Yeah, it was just a "ooh I have a moment of free time, I wonder who is online?" thing.
My life is fairly chaotic right now with kids and a wife who works irregular hours.
I am well aware that a properly scheduled and advertised playtest is more likely to get respondents.
Although, this makes me wonder, has BGDF ever considered a Discord group for more live things? Voice chats and seeing who is online?