As a game developer, you are always looking for ways to improve your games. One way to do this is by playing your own games and seeing what works and what doesn’t. But do all game developers play their own games?
Yes, game developers do play their own games. In fact, many developers feel that it’s important to play their own games in order to understand how players are experiencing the game.
Additionally, by playing their own game, developers can identify any potential issues and make necessary changes before the game is released to the public. Playing their own game also allows developers to enjoy the fruits of their labor and see how players are responding to their creation.
The Real Reasons Game Developers Play Their Own games
So why do game developers play their own games? Well, there are actually quite a few reasons.
1. To Get Feedback
As a game developer, it’s important to get feedback from players in order to improve your game. By playing your own game, you can get first-hand feedback from players and see how they react to your game. This feedback can be invaluable in making changes and improvements to your game.
2. To Identify Issues
Another reason why game developers play their own games is to identify any potential issues. By playing the game themselves, developers can catch any bugs or glitches that need to be fixed before the game is released to the public.
3. To Enjoy the Game
Of course, another reason why game developers play their own games is simply that they enjoy it! After all, they have worked hard on developing the game and it’s nice to be able to sit back and enjoy playing it just like any other player would.
4. To See How Players Are Responding
Finally, by playing their own games, developers can see how players are responding to their creations. This is valuable feedback that can help developers make necessary changes and improvements to their games.
Are Gaming Developers Good At Their Own Games?
Well, that depends. Some developers are certainly better at playing their own games than others. However, many developers feel that it’s important to play their own games in order to understand how players are experiencing the game.
For example, David Vonderhaar, studio design director at Treyarch says “I’m not the best Call of Duty player in the world by any stretch, but I need to play it enough to know what’s going on, to give feedback, and also just because I love the game.”
Interestingly enough he even streams himself playing Call of Duty and playing with other famous YouTubers, here’s a clip of him playing:
How Game Developers Incorporate Feedback They Receive
So, now that we know that game developer do play their own games, let’s take a look at how they incorporate the feedback they receive.
When game developer plays their own game, they are constantly taking note of any issues or problems they come across. Additionally, they are also paying attention to how players are responding to the game. This feedback is then used to make changes and improvements to the game before it’s released to the public.
For example, if a developer notices that players are having trouble with a certain level, they may make changes to that level in order to make it easier for players. Or, if they notice that players are enjoying a certain aspect of the game, they may choose to focus on that aspect more in future updates.
This process of debugging games is actually quite important, as it can help prevent players from becoming frustrated with the game and quitting early. Additionally, it can also help ensure that players are actually enjoying the game and coming back for more.
Do Game Developers Get Games For Free?
This is a common misconception, but no, game developers do not get games for free. In fact, they have to purchase their own games just like any other player.
The only exception to this is if a developer is given a copy of a game by the publisher in order to test it out before it’s released. However, even in this case, the developer does not get to keep the game and will have to purchase it once it’s available to the public.
Conclusion
So there you have it – four reasons why game developers play their own games. By playing their own games, developers can get feedback, identify issues, enjoy the game, and see how players are responding. So next time you see a game developer playing their own game, remember that they’re not just playing for fun – they’re actually working!