User Feedback: The Importance of It in Game Development

User feedback is one of the most important components of the game development process, as it acts as a ‘communication channel’ between developers and players. Players can guide developers both before and after a game is released by sharing assessments on the overall quality and satisfaction of the gaming experience. This is true even for games that you can find on sites like Hit n Spin. Here, we will discuss the impact of user feedback on the game development process and explain how to use it properly.

Why Is User Feedback Important?

There are three main reasons why user feedback is important.

  • Understanding Player Needs and Preferences: Assessments let developers understand what players like and dislike. This is very important in creating a game that will attract the attention of the target audience and achieve satisfactory sales figures. In addition, since each player will have a different background and a different style of play, developers have the chance to develop a more inclusive game by evaluating from different perspectives.
  • Identifying Bugs and Technical Issues: Developers may see most of the bugs in the games when playing on their systems. User feedback, on the other hand, shows how the product performs on different hardware and allows more bugs to be detected as more people try it. In other words, it provides an opportunity to detect and fix problems in the game in advance.
  • Enhancing Gameplay Mechanics: Although the game mechanics seem satisfactory enough to the development team, players may have different ideas. With user feedback, it is possible to refine or completely change certain mechanics. Additionally, developers have the chance to learn how players will react to a new mechanic before adding it (and spending time on it). This means they don’t have to spend hours on a feature that players don’t like.

In order to achieve all of these benefits, user feedback needs to be collected correctly. So, let’s move on to how to do this.

How to Collect User Feedback?

Games that include user assessments in the development process are much more successful in creating a sense of ownership among players, in other words, in creating a community. Using feedback is not limited to the development process alone, it needs to be continued after the gaming product is released. When players see that their opinions are valued, they become more loyal to the game and develop a strong bond with the developers. However, user feedback needs to be collected correctly, and there are several ways to do this:

  • Surveys and Questionnaires: Online surveys can be created for specific aspects of the game, to learn how a certain mechanic was liked, for example. Assassin’s Creed Unity continued to do this even after it was released: after each mission was completed, a survey form was displayed asking the player how much they liked that mission.
  • Beta Testing Programs: This is a more comprehensive technique, meaning that the entire game is made available before release. A select group of players gain access and play it for a certain period of time. During this time, they have the chance to directly communicate any issues they are experiencing or how satisfying their experience was to the developers.
  • Community Forums and Social Media: This is a tool that is usually used after the product is released. Players submit thoughts, suggestions, and concerns through the developer’s official channels. The best part about this is that it provides real-time insights into their experiences. This tool is managed by a community manager, meaning the CM shares the comments players provide with the development team.
  • In-Game Assessment Tools: This was a method that was used quite frequently in the 2000s. Players can send messages to the developers using in-game tools (such as the bug reporting tool). It is still used in MMORPGs.

In order for user feedback to be beneficial, it must be analyzed correctly too. 

Using Feedback Effectively

Feedback must first be prioritized correctly if to be useful and efficient. Not every comment will be equally useful or helpful. It would be best to analyze them in general and identify common themes. Individual assessment should only be evaluated if it belongs to experienced, influential players who have done this job before. The goal should be to recognize common problems/concerns and prioritize changes based on impact and feasibility.

If developers decide to make a change after feedback, they should notify players. This increases mutual trust and lets players know that their ideas are valuable. It also encourages them to continue sharing comments, even after the game is released.

User feedback is an invaluable tool in game development that can lead to more engaging, enjoyable, and successful games. Embracing it is not just about fixing problems – it’s about building a community.

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