The site felt bare-bones, navigation was confusing, and there wasn’t much value beyond the form. It didn’t feel engaging and wasn’t intuitive, especially for someone new.
Steam Playtest offered a cost-effective and low-risk solution for developers to gather playtesting data without needing to manage Steam keys. The system used a separate "child" appID linked to the main game, allowing playtesting activities to occur without affecting the primary game. The playtest signup was integrated directly into the main game’s storefront, enabling users to request access via a simple “Request Access” button on the game title page. This streamlined process required only a few clicks for users to participate.
Epic Games Playtest allowed users to join by simply filling out a registration form. If their profile matched the requirements, they would receive an email with playtest details, including session schedules and compensation information. The process was straightforward, removing the need for users to adjust settings or access an admin system.
EA’s playtesting process involved users creating a profile and completing a form detailing their gaming preferences. Based on this, users would receive a playtesting application via email. The platform used progressive profiling, where users could provide additional information later to increase their chances of selection. While the process provided access to available playtests, the lack of a progress indicator during the form completion could cause user frustration.
Ubisoft employed a similar progressive profiling approach, where users filled out a basic form initially, followed by the option to provide further details. However, there was no confirmation of participation after completing the profile, and users had to rely solely on email invitations to join playtests. The lack of visibility into available playtests and the absence of a progress indicator were key drawbacks.
Activision’s sign-up process was considered the most cumbersome among the competitors. The lengthy form, focused heavily on ‘Call of Duty,’ could deter users uninterested in the franchise. Similar to Ubisoft and EA, Activision’s platform lacked visibility into available playtests, requiring users to wait for email invitations. The overall user experience was considered unsatisfactory due to the lengthy process and overemphasis on specific games.
Since the playtest functionality was to be hosted within Technodrome, the existing design system was utilised to build the prototype, ensuring consistency with the broader ecosystem. Following the initial presentation of the prototype, several improvements were made based on user feedback:
The Playtest enrollment Prototype was designed to introduce users to the playtesting experience, encouraging sign-ups while providing clear information.
The Playtest Registration Prototype was designed to streamline the process for users to sign up for specific playtests after completing the enrollment process.
The Key Distribution Prototype focused on managing and distributing game keys for playtest participants, ensuring a seamless and efficient process for administrators.
Midway through the project, the decision was made to rebrand the Remote Playtesting Hub as Gameshapers, with Horizon, an upcoming Free-to-Play game title, selected as the first project to launch on the platform. The goal was to create an engaging, visually compelling website that captured the game's essence while providing a seamless user experience.
