This could be considered an extension of a thread I created several months back -- https://www.therpgsite.com/design-development-and-gameplay/new-rpgs-order-of-design/msg1124556 -- since the last posts mentioned play-testing and I would prefer not to necro that thread, useful as it was. (I have made a lot of progress since the last post, however unless asked, I'll leave my current project out of this thread.)


In general though, when is a good first time to seek out playtesters?


My personal estimation, based on whom I've spoken to before, is when all of these are true:


#1: When Character Creation can be completed.
#2: When at least one combat scenario is ready.
#3: When at least one series of challenges is ready.


Does anyone have alternative suggestions?


Also, to borrow a quote from Stan Lee, "Every comic is someone's first". In relation to that, is it a good idea to play-test games like these with people who have never played an RPG before?

Some of the best play-testing is taking the module/game to a con and running it there. Tickets for games sell out ASAP, and your table will always be full. You have no idea who will show up, but usually, several people know each other. You can gather feedback both by watching how separate groups deal with the challenges presented, and at the end of the session, solicit direct feedback.

Quote from: Anthony Pacheco on September 14, 2020, 02:14:21 PM
Some of the best play-testing is taking the module/game to a con and running it there. Tickets for games sell out ASAP, and your table will always be full. You have no idea who will show up, but usually, several people know each other. You can gather feedback both by watching how separate groups deal with the challenges presented, and at the end of the session, solicit direct feedback.

I would love to do that.


(The closest event to me is OwlCon, though with Corona-Chan still being a thing and this occurring on a college campus, next year's event might get the axe.)