Creation Phases, Alpha, and Beta Testing

Context

A studio is preparing to launch a new game and wants to involve its community early in the development phases. During the alpha and beta stages, selected players test the game to spot bugs, suggest improvements, and validate gameplay choices before the official release.

Problem

Tester feedback is scattered across multiple channels, making it difficult to centralize and analyze. The studio struggles to identify the most relevant feedback and maintain clear communication with testers. This leads to risks of dissatisfaction and delays in necessary improvements.

Solution with Lovelace

1. Centralized Feedback Management:

   • Lovelace consolidates all tester feedback into one place, whether it comes from surveys, Discord, or direct reports.

   • Feedback is automatically categorized: bugs, ideas, balancing, or non-intuitive mechanics.

2. Building a Community of Ambassadors:

   • The studio can identify and engage player ambassadors during the alpha/beta phase. The most active or relevant players are invited to participate in exclusive discussions through Lovelace.

   • These ambassadors become allies of the studio, testing new features and sharing their excitement with the broader community.

3. Real-Time Analysis and Prioritization:

   • Insights allow the studio to prioritize fixes or adjustments before the official release.

   • Ambassadors are kept informed of progress, enhancing their engagement and sense of involvement.

4. Surveys and Validation:

   • Lovelace provides tools to survey testers on key decisions: “Would you prefer a solo narrative mode or an additional cooperative mode?”

   • These surveys help refine the final product based on player expectations.

Result

• A game better prepared for launch and aligned with player expectations.

• A community of ambassadors ready to champion and promote the game at release.

• Improved bug management and adjustments before the final version, reducing post-launch criticism.