Should I Beta Test My Game?
If you’re a developer with a new game to release you will most probably ask yourself “Do I need to Beta test my game?” The answer is of course a yes, whether you’re an individual or part of a larger studio, Beta testing is a crucial part of the process and can make or break the launch of your game.
What is Beta Testing?
Beta testing is an essential part of the development process where real world players are used to provide feedback and identify any issues before a games’ launch onto the market. Beta testers will come from a broader audience to gauge performance, gameplay experience and player satisfaction.
Why Beta Test Your Game?
Catch Bugs and Glitches: No matter how thorough your internal testers are, real players will interact in unexpected ways with your game. Beta testers will bring diverse playstyles and fresh eyes to help reveal any glitches, bugs or balance issues that might have otherwise been missed. This is especially true for multiplayer games where unforeseen player interactions and network stress can cause major problems that only show themselves in real-world conditions.
Performance Optimisation: Beta testing enables you to see how your game performs using a range of hardware. What might run smoothly on a high end rig might glitch on a mid range or older system. Beta testers will report back on load times, frame rates and overall performance, enabling you to make necessary optimisations before the full release date.
Player Feedback on Gameplay: Although you may have a specific vision for your game other players may engage in ways you didn’t expect. Beta testing will enable you to collect feedback on the game's mechanics, controls, difficulty levels and overall player enjoyment. These minor adjustments, based on player input, can significantly increase the game’s appeal and enhance the user experience.
Balancing: Balancing is critical in games with cooperative or competitive elements. Beta testers will provide value insights into characters, weapons or strategies that are underwhelming or overpowered. This feedback is fundamental in creating a fair and enjoyable game environment, especially in multiplayer situations.
Building Hype: Use Beta testing as your marketing tool by allowing players to test your game to create excitement and anticipation before its full release. A successful Beta phase will produce positive word of mouth and gain traction in a crowded market. Beta testers will often become your biggest fans and help spread the word about your game through gaming communities and social media.
Stress Testing Servers: Beta testing is essential to stress-test your servers especially if your game has online multiplayer features. A server crashing due to an unforeseen load can ruin a games launch. Beta testing enables you to fine tune server performance so that there are no major issues on release day.
When Should You Start Beta Testing?
It is important to get the timing of your Beta testing right. You want the game to be polished for your gamers but not too polished that feedback is irrelevant. The best time to start Beta testing is when your game is feature-complete but still open to adjustments based on feedback from players.
There are two Beta testing options to choose from. Both options have their advantages and will depend on the size of your game, complexity and development timeline. Closed Beta testing involves using a small, controlled group who will give focussed and detailed feedback. Open Beta testing involves using a larger audience so that the game can be tested in more diverse conditions.
Why Use Beta Beta for Your Beta Testing?
Beta testing is essential, but managing it effectively can be challenging. That’s where beta beta comes in. Here’s how we help you overcome potential pitfalls and ensure a smooth beta testing process:
Expert Bug Tracking and Management Identifying bugs is one thing, but managing, prioritising, and resolving them is another. With beta beta, you’ll have access to expert bug-tracking tools and management systems, ensuring that no issue slips through the cracks. We help you organise feedback, rank the most critical issues, and streamline fixes, so your game launches polished and ready.
Comprehensive Performance Testing Our service provides access to a diverse range of hardware and configurations, ensuring your game is tested on the widest array of systems possible. beta beta collects detailed performance data, helping you optimise your game for various platforms without spending extra time on troubleshooting obscure hardware issues post-launch.
Actionable Player Feedback Gathering feedback is important, but knowing what to act on is key. beta beta specialises in curating actionable feedback from your players. We help you sift through data, focus on the most important gameplay improvements, and avoid the trap of trying to please everyone, which can lead to development delays.
Balancing Expertise Our experienced team works closely with you to ensure that feedback regarding game balance is handled carefully. We help identify critical imbalances and suggest fixes, ensuring your game feels fair and enjoyable without the risk of over-tuning based on limited feedback.
Custom Marketing and Hype Strategy A beta test is a great way to build buzz around your game, and beta beta helps you maximise this opportunity. We not only manage the testing phase but also help you build a beta community, leverage social media for promotional pushes, and create excitement that drives pre-orders and wishlists.
Server Stress Testing and Monitoring Server crashes during a beta test are common and can be disheartening, but with beta beta, you’ll be prepared. We simulate heavy loads to push your servers to their limits, ensuring your game can handle launch-day traffic. Our team also provides real-time monitoring and recommendations for improvements.
Avoiding Feature Creep One common pitfall of beta testing is reacting too quickly to every piece of feedback, which can lead to feature creep—adding too many new elements that delay the launch. At beta beta, we help you stay focused on what’s important, advising on which feedback to prioritise and which to park for future updates.
Check out our services at Beta Beta for more information
Conclusion
The answer to this is a resounding: yes. Beta testing is a crucial and invaluable step in game development gaining insights that are not possible from internal testing alone. From gameplay refinements, bug fixing and even marketing Beta testing provides you with the tools to release a highly polished and well received game. Beta testing may require coordination, time and effort but the long-term benefits in terms of product quality and player satisfaction make it an essential step in a games development.
If you are still in two minds about whether to Beta test your game just bare in mind a smooth launch can make the difference between your game being a flop or a success.
Need help with beta testing or want to learn more? At Beta Beta, we specialise in helping developers. Contact us today!