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Acceptable Playtest Distribution Format?

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JeffK
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Joined: 12/31/1969

Hi, this is my very first post here on BGDF, although I've been lurking for some time.

I've been working on a CCG style (though the vision is for it to NOT be collectable) card game for the past year, and now I believe it's ready for wider playtesting. So far my wife, a friend and I have played it but a wider range of feedback is clearly needed.

The cards (141 at last count) were designed using MTG Editor (found at http://mtglair.de/editor.shtml), with artwork liberally lifted from Magic cards for playtest purposes. I've been playtesting by printing them out on plain paper and inserting them into card sleeves with MtG sized cards inside to provide stiffness.

I can provide the instructions and two pre-designed "starter" sets in *.PDF format. These sets are 60 cards each with a total of 20 unique cards per deck + a leader. Would these PDF's be sufficient for distance playtesters or is the ettiquette to send complete, playable games? The game also requires tokens to track health and at least on ten sided di (preferably about 5). Any guidance on how to proceed would be welcomed.

Jeff K.

jwarrend
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Joined: 08/03/2008
Acceptable Playtest Distribution Format?

Jeff,

Welcome to the group! I don't think there's a hard and fast answer to this question; the best format for a blind playtest is really just whatever your playtester is willing to tolerate. If your tester doesn't mind printing and cutting out the cards himself, then you're all set! Some will prefer to be sent a working copy of the game. You'll just have to ask your playtesters what they prefer.

By the way, not sure where you are on LI, but we hold all-day playtest sessions up here in Albany about once every 3 months. Our next session is going to be on Saturday, May 13. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, we'd be happy to have you along! PM me for more info if you're interested.

Good luck,

Jeff

JeffK
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Acceptable Playtest Distribution Format?

Jeff, thanks for the reply. I guess I'll have to do it on a case by case basis. I don't mind doing the work to send out fully functional copies, but I imagine that as the cards get revised multiple times (which they inevitably will in a game of this scope) it would get a bit overwhelming.

Of course I suppose I could meet halfway, if the testers were amenable - send out the sleeves, counters and dice by snail mail and the PDF's by e-mail. Thus, the testers would not have to bear any financial costs themselves, which seems only reasonable.

As for Albany - tempting! It's only a few hours from here, and once every three months isn't bad. Is it normally over the weekend?

Jeff K.

jwarrend
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Joined: 08/03/2008
Acceptable Playtest Distribution Format?

We typically get together from noon-9 pm or so on a Saturday. We have as many as 10 designers who could theoretically show up but in practice typically get about 5 or 6. We can usually get a couple of playtesters out as well, so there's usually enough to run a couple of tables concurrently.

Just let me know if you're interested in coming!

-Jeff

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