# Playtest Plan: {BUILD_NAME}

**Version**: {BUILD_VERSION}
**Created**: {DATE}
**Session Date(s)**: {PLAYTEST_DATES}

---

## Overview

### Objective

{What are we trying to learn from this playtest?}

### Build Information

- **Version**: {version}
- **Platform**: {PC/Console/Mobile}
- **Content**: {What's included in this build}
- **Known Issues**: {List any known bugs to ignore}

### Success Criteria

{How will we know the playtest was successful?}

---

## Participants

### Target Profile

- **Player Type**: {casual/core/hardcore}
- **Genre Experience**: {familiar/unfamiliar with genre}
- **Age Range**: {if relevant}
- **Other Criteria**: {specific requirements}

### Recruitment

- **Count**: {number of participants}
- **Source**: {internal/external/panel}
- **Compensation**: {if applicable}

---

## Session Structure

### Pre-Session (15 minutes)

1. **Welcome (5 min)**
   - Introduce yourself and the team
   - Explain what they'll be doing
   - Emphasize: "We're testing the game, not you"

2. **Consent & Setup (5 min)**
   - Recording consent: {yes/no}
   - NDA: {yes/no}
   - Collect demographic info: {yes/no}
   - Hardware preferences

3. **Instructions (5 min)**
   - "Play as you normally would"
   - "Think out loud if you're comfortable"
   - "Ask questions anytime"
   - "You can stop at any time"

### Gameplay Session ({DURATION} minutes)

#### Free Play vs Guided Tasks

- [ ] Free play - Let player explore naturally
- [ ] Guided tasks - Specific scenarios to complete

#### Focus Areas

1. {Area 1 - e.g., Tutorial effectiveness}
2. {Area 2 - e.g., Combat feel}
3. {Area 3 - e.g., Navigation clarity}

#### Intervention Threshold

Only intervene when:

- [ ] Critical bug prevents progress
- [ ] Player is genuinely distressed
- [ ] Session time is running out
- [ ] Player explicitly asks for help

### Post-Session ({POST_DURATION} minutes)

#### Immediate Reactions

1. "What was your overall impression of the game?"
2. "What moment stood out the most?"
3. "Would you play this again? Why or why not?"

#### Feature-Specific Questions

1. {Question about focus area 1}
2. {Question about focus area 2}
3. {Question about focus area 3}

#### Open Feedback

1. "Is there anything you wish the game had?"
2. "Anything else you'd like to share?"
3. "Questions for us?"

---

## Observation Guide

### What to Watch For

| Signal          | Examples                               | Action                    |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Confusion**   | Pausing, circling, re-reading          | Note location, duration   |
| **Frustration** | Sighing, repeated attempts, quitting   | Note cause, frequency     |
| **Engagement**  | Leaning in, exclaiming, "one more try" | Note feature              |
| **Boredom**     | Checking phone, rushing, disengaging   | Note when drop-off begins |
| **Discovery**   | "Oh!", trying things                   | Note what triggered it    |

### Metrics to Collect

- [ ] Time to complete tutorial
- [ ] Number of deaths/failures per section
- [ ] Features/items discovered
- [ ] Total session duration
- [ ] Completion rate

---

## Note-Taking Template

```
Participant: ___  Date: ___  Observer: ___

TIME | LOCATION | OBSERVATION | REACTION | NOTES
-----|----------|-------------|----------|------
     |          |             |          |
     |          |             |          |
     |          |             |          |

Key Moments:
1.
2.
3.

Overall Impression:

```

---

## Team Roles

| Role             | Responsibilities                  | Assigned To |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------- | ----------- |
| **Facilitator**  | Welcome, instructions, interview  | {name}      |
| **Note-taker**   | Observations, timestamps          | {name}      |
| **Tech Support** | Build, recording, troubleshooting | {name}      |

---

## Logistics

### Equipment

- [ ] Game build installed and tested
- [ ] Controllers/input devices
- [ ] Recording equipment (if applicable)
- [ ] Consent forms
- [ ] Observation templates (printed)
- [ ] Compensation (if applicable)

### Environment

- [ ] Quiet, private space
- [ ] Comfortable seating
- [ ] Water/snacks available
- [ ] Clock/timer visible

---

## Post-Playtest Process

### Same Day

- [ ] Quick team debrief (15 min)
- [ ] Consolidate raw notes
- [ ] Flag critical issues

### Within 48 Hours

- [ ] Synthesize findings
- [ ] Identify patterns
- [ ] Draft playtest report

### Report Delivery

- **Due Date**: {date}
- **Distribution**: {team/stakeholders}
- **Format**: {document/presentation}

---

## Notes

{Any additional notes, special considerations, or reminders}
