The "Should I become a playtester" thread.

General GTG General Discussion
21

Q: How long will I remain a playtester?

A: For life and/or as long as GTG exists, as long as you do not go about revealing playtesting information outside the forum or being a jerk. Technically, GTG reserves to right to revoke anyone's playtester status, at any time, for any reason. However, in all our history to date, we have never yet done so.

Just to be 100% clear, can we playtest with friends who aren't playtesters?  Or would it have to be solo or with other playtesters only?

22

I'm the only playtester in my group. As long as you don't distribute the materials, especially online, its probably fine. If we couldn't play with non-playtesters, I think Spirit Island would be down three orders as three of my players are also getting it because they enjoyed the playtest version so much.

23

Absolutely, you can playtest with non-playtesters, as long as it's reasonably private. They'd rather you not playtest at conventions or at open board game days, for instance.

24

Confirmed! :)

25

I'm assuming this can vary wildly depending on which and how many games a person choses to playtest, but can any current playtesters give me a guestimate of how many pages they print out in a month? While the $40 up front is doable for me, I do all of my printing at the library or local office supply store, so the cost of printing (even just in black and white) can really add up, even if I'm just using normal printing paper.

26

It does vary wildly. A few of the factors, many of which vary based on who the designer is and what the game components are like:

  • How often are there updates? Obviously, more updates means you have to update your components more often.
  • Can the updates be done by hand or are they big enough that re-printing is necessary? Later updates, when you're just tweaking a couple words or numbers, tend to be easier to do by hand. Early on, especially for a new game (not SotM) where the rules aren't really ironed out yet, there tend to be more substantial updates.
  • What is your personal threshhold for having things look "nice"? Obviously, this is playtesting and we aren't using final designs. Some people are more content to use cards that have been scribbled on or just scraps of paper when it doesn't matter if one card is distinguishable from another (e.g. Tactics or SotM character cards).
  • How good is the designer about creating update-only packs? It's very helpful when you get a pdf of only the updated cards. This way, you can print 1-2 pages of only the new things rather than 7-8 pages and then have to throw away most of the things because they didn't change. You also spend less time cutting this way.

So, that probably doesn't answer your question exactly, but it's something to think about.

27

If we're thinking about cost, it's worth also thinking about whether or not you need to print in color and whether you need to acquire other components. GtG has been pretty good at making B&W-friendly versions of the playtesting files. For some games (eg, Spirit Island) you do need other components besides printing, and will need to either scrounge them from other games or order them. Fortunately those other components don't change much.

Otherwise, what grysqrl said. GtG has been pretty good about producing update-only packs, but it can still get annoying if you skipped a revision.

28

Since I:

  1. Wanted to playtest GTG products I'm interested in (I'm looking at you, Sentinels Comics RPG! Please?).

  2. Can afford a one-time $40 charge.

  3. Have a printer and randoms bits at home.

  4. Got my questions answered by you guys;

I took the plunge!

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I am still sort of on the fence, for the reason that I don’t really know what kind of games they’ll be moving on to after Sentinels is done. I love Sentinels games and they also would have been relatively easy for us to play test. But, not really knowing what sort of thing is coming up - presumably something is, or they wouldn’t have reopened playtesting - I’m not sure whether I’d just be getting a (admittedly cool) forum badge!

30

I have played the Spirit Island Print-n-Play several times and have enjoyed every second of it. Playtesting for the initial release is probably over, but I am assuming that if they do well enough selling the base game and first expansion, that more will follow. If so, then this will likely satisfy the Sentinels itch and I would check it out if you are on the fence.

31

I'm guessing this means that those who signed up will definitely be testing the upcoming (and final ... /weep!) Oblivaeon expansion (and whatever mini-expansions they release simultaneously)?

I mentioned that this was open again as an option (missed the opportunity, last year) to my wife, and she said, "Well, we love their games. Happy birthday, go sign up!"

So, hey, I guess I'll be seeing a few of you on the forums a bit more often!

32

On the PRO becomming a playtester side, I do want sneak-previews of GTG games before they're released, I want to help make the game be the best it can be, and it'd be cool to have my name in the book and be a part of the community.

On the CON side, I don't generally do print-and-play for other things (even when I get a PnP through a kickstarter, I often just wait for the official release so I can better appreciate the art and bits as part of the game whole), I tend not to have as much gaming time as I used to and being a playtester means playing the same game over and over, and when I do game I prefer it to be a fun social experience, not an analysis of what's working or not with note-taking.

So that's why I'm tempted to playtest, but am passing on it.  Self-awareness is the key to happiness.

33

I bought into for previews and to add my input where I can.   I'm not able to easily do PnP but at least with SotM or Tactics I know the game well enough to feel I can contribute.

34

Aye, I'm right with you Seesome. Every time the Playtest option has come up I've seriously considered it, but I ultimately doubt that I'd be invested enough to provide any meaningful input. I don't need spoilers, as I'm happy to wait a few months longer and enjoy all the smokebombs in the forums instead :slightly_smiling_face:

35

I just signed up. What tipped the scales was knowing i’d wake up tomorrow and regret it more if I didn’t than if I did. Wanted to remind anyone else on the fence that today is the last day to decide.

36

Alright, I pulled the trigger...even though the USD to CAD exchange rate hurts, I guess I'll just have to console myself with the PNP copies of all the games...ALL the games...

Really looking forward to seeing what's happening with OblivAeon, Tactics, and Sentinels Comics RPG!

37

One thing some folks might enjoy is that the old forums from playtesting earlier sets are actually still available to read. There is some interesting stuff in there! :slightly_smiling_face: (Nothing that's going to change anyone's minds, but just another little benefit.)

38

Okay so I took the plunge. I have been regretting not doing so the first time around. My big question is what's next? How do we get started?

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Once you get your playtester badge, log in and check out the playtester forums.  They'll be added to your list of available forums.

40

Just wanted to add. While you don't get the same excitement when opening a new box you would have before, you do feel a sense of accomplishment.

Whether it was helping decide the exact wording of a card, or pointing out an awkward interaction with an existing deck, or even spellchecking, you know that that game exists because you helped it to get there.