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Using Discord’s Screen-Sharing Feature for Remote Playtesting
Discord is a powerful tool for game developers aiming to conduct remote playtests and gather actionable feedback from players. The platform’s screen-sharing feature provides a seamless way to share game sessions with remote testers, enabling real-time feedback and interaction.
Steps to Set Up Remote Playtesting on Discord:
- Set Up a Dedicated Discord Server: Create a dedicated server for your game where players can join for playtesting sessions. This allows you to manage members and channels effectively.
- Invite Playtesters: Use invite links to gather a group of testers. You can target specific demographics or gaming skill levels to refine your game’s experience.
- Enable Screen Share: On the day of the playtest, use Discord’s ‘Go Live’ feature to broadcast your game screen. Click the ‘Screen’ button to select the application or desktop display to share.
- Engage with Testers: While screen sharing, engage in voice chat or use text channels to gather immediate feedback. Encourage testers to discuss their experiences and note any issues or suggestions.
- Record Sessions: Consider recording the playtest sessions using a screen recording tool. This enables later analysis of player interactions and feedback.
- Gather Feedback Post-Playtest: Utilize channels for feedback collection. Create structured feedback forms using Google Forms or Typeform linked in a dedicated channel for streamlined data collection.
Enhancing Playtest Quality with Discord Features
Discord offers various features that can enhance the playtesting process:
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- Voice Channels: Facilitate live discussions and immediate responses to developer queries.
- Text Channels: Use dedicated text channels for reporting bugs, suggestions, and general feedback.
- Reaction Roles: Implement reaction roles to categorize tester expertise or interests, enabling you to focus on specific feedback segments.
- Bots: Utilize Discord bots to automate tasks, such as welcoming testers, collecting data, and scheduling playtests.
Implementing Safety Measures
To ensure a safe testing environment, consider the following:
- Moderation Tools: Utilize Discord’s moderation tools to manage community behavior and ensure respectful interactions.
- Privacy Settings: Adjust server and channel privacy settings to control access and maintain data confidentiality.
- Inform Consent: Ensure all participants are informed of data collection practices and consent to being recorded.
By leveraging Discord’s robust feature set for organizing remote playtests, developers can gather critical feedback necessary for refining their games.