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This is all generally very good advice. However, I think the "Ignore Playtesters" section is wrong. You do have to not just take their idea carte blanche and ad

This is all generally very good advice. However, I think the "Ignore Playtesters" section is wrong. You do have to not just take their idea carte blanche and add it. But you should listen to their ideas because it is always in one of three categories. 1) Their idea is to fix a problem in your game but they may have trouble articulating it. 2) Their idea is for an additional element that will add to the strategy or fun of your game. 3) Their idea is to change the game to the type of game they like. You shouldn't usually heed this advice but it is very important to ask why players of games X don't like this game.

richardwhiuk 8y ago
I think the headline is wrong, but I think the text in the section actually does a better job of presenting a more balanced view.
smoe 8y ago
I think the quote they used in the article puts it pretty well. “When someone tells you there is problem with your game, they are almost always right. When someone tells you how to fix that problem, they are almost always wrong.” I don't have experience with games but I had the same conclusion with feedback about music productions and concerts. Some of the most valuable input we got was from people completely ignorant of what goes into making music or the theory thereof. They just tell you that they don't feel it, that a part is odd, etc., but can't put their finger on what is wrong. On the other hand, some of the most useless input came from people that know a little bit about music, but don't have actual experience doing it. They jump to the solution directly, telling you what to change without being aware of the consequences, what impact for example making one instrument louder has on others, whether it fits into the theme, how much is just their personal taste, etc. Often while being very insistent that they are right. You should certainly always listen what people say. But honestly for me it was only ever really useful if it came from either (semi-)professionals, or from people that don't know anything.

richardwhiuk 8y ago

I think the headline is wrong, but I think the text in the section actually does a better job of presenting a more balanced view.

smoe 8y ago

I think the quote they used in the article puts it pretty well. “When someone tells you there is problem with your game, they are almost always right. When someone tells you how to fix that problem, they are almost always wrong.” I don't have experience with games but I had the same conclusion with feedback about music productions and concerts. Some of the most valuable input we got was from people completely ignorant of what goes into making music or the theory thereof. They just tell you that they don't feel it, that a part is odd, etc., but can't put their finger on what is wrong. On the other hand, some of the most useless input came from people that know a little bit about music, but don't have actual experience doing it. They jump to the solution directly, telling you what to change without being aware of the consequences, what impact for example making one instrument louder has on others, whether it fits into the theme, how much is just their personal taste, etc. Often while being very insistent that they are right. You should certainly always listen what people say. But honestly for me it was only ever really useful if it came from either (semi-)professionals, or from people that don't know anything.