Game feedback by gamers, for devs?

WiZZyWiGG · 18 Mar 2013 at 08:14

Now I have been working for a games publisher for a long time now and one thing that has always bothered me is the ability to get good gameplay feedback on a game during development as this is when you need it most.

Yes, you can pay for people to do this, just like all things but I was thinking that feedback from actual gamers would be of more use?
There is a huge amount of games discussion going on in this community and I think we could make a decent group capable of giving developers feedback they need to help improve the games people end up playing. Not talking about people like EA or Activision but more indie outfits who don't always have the means to get this sort of feedback.

Anyone feel like putting their constructive criticism to the test and giving this a go? :-)

I am thinking of trying to get a group of people together who can critique a game fairly and see who we can help, might be a stupid idea but thought I would see if anyone was interested!

Doomedspeed · 18 Mar 2013 at 08:43

I would be interested.

I tend to review most games I play anyway. The reviews only go out to my mate but I just like getting these feelings off ny chest...

Let me know the plan..

Shamikebab · 18 Mar 2013 at 08:51

So....a beta?

WiZZyWiGG · 18 Mar 2013 at 08:58

Shamikebab said:
So....a beta?

Sort of, the idea being it could be done at any stage of game development. Beta is usually fairly near the end of development.

There are lots of 'services' out there for people in the industry to use for this kind of thing, but I was thinking there is space for a group of PC enthusiasts who just love games to use their experience to help people make games better.

~>Dg<~ · 18 Mar 2013 at 09:02

most if not all games companies do this either in house or with alpha/beta testers anyway :confused:

why would your group be different ? would it be for many games or one ? please tell me it isnt a promotional lets all test my game

WiZZyWiGG · 18 Mar 2013 at 09:12

~>Dg<~ said:
most if not all games companies do this either in house or with alpha/beta testers anyway

why would your group be different ? would it be for many games or one ? please tell me it isnt a promotional lets all test my game

They do indeed, you are correct.

This would be aimed at people who do not have in house teams and also smaller indie teams who just want some feedback.

Hopefully to make this a little clearer, this isn't some mega plan to create some kind of mega testing group. Its more to offer a direct dev/feedback group for devs who might need it, or who want a different look at things.

Not all indie groups have time to sort of setting up Alpha/Beta tests.