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?