We all know that feeling of being struck by a game the first time we see it. Perhaps it's the vivid graphics, the beautiful soundtrack or a well-designed interface. However, first impressions can be deceiving. That's why PlaytestCloud offers multi-session playtesting so that you can see how players interact with your game over multiple sessions of gameplay. This type of test provides insights of how a player sees your game at different times, and in various moods.

With the multi-session playtest you'll be able to watch people play your game over the course of multiple sessions. Players will play multiple sessions and take mandatory breaks in between – and just as with a standard playtest, the players will think aloud in all sessions. After each session, the players will answer a standard survey, and after completing all playtest sessions, the players will answer a final survey designed by you. We’ll send you the results at most within four days of your order.

This article is a quick guide to setting up multiple playtest sessions.

The process of ordering a multi-session playtest begins in the same manner as ordering a single session playtest – login to PlaytestCloud and select Multi-session:

In the next screenshot, you'll see the playtest order form.

The first section that you see below is the only part of the ordering process that differs from ordering a single session playtest, so if you've already ordered a single session playtest this is the most important part of this guide.

Just as there are no two people alike, there are no two games alike, and every game requires a different testing methodology. It can be very useful to test games over sessions to see how players respond to your game once they've had some time away from it – this playtest is particularly suitable for testing the strength of your game's retention. A multi-session playtest offers the feedback you need to improve retention, directly from the player.

PlaytestCloud makes it easy to get started with a multi-session playtest. The screenshot below shows the standard multi-session packages. You can choose how many players you want, how long you would like them to play for, how many sessions of gameplay they should participate in, and how long of a break should they make between sessions.

Of course, you are able to customize your playtests beyond the options you see presented here. Please contact us for an alternative configuration.

Note: The pause between sessions should be long enough for an in-game timer to reset. There is no suggested length beyond the default of 1 hour, as the pause time you select is dependent on your testing methodology.

Once these options have been selected, you are ready to move onto the next part of setting up your multi-session playtest. This process is identical to setting up a single session playtest.

Questions? Reach out to us by opening the chat bubble in the lower right corner of your screen.

Happy playtesting!