thread: 2011-02-17 : Ben Lehman: Playtesting: Stop
On 2011-02-19, Josh W wrote:
Ben, maybe we need to create a "social version" of a game that we release to friends/designers we respect, and what we ask of in return is for them to write about their play.
This is not a product, it is not something with any expectation of merchantability or consumer entitlement, it is a gift with a request attached. "I made this, and I wonder if it might be the sort of thing you like, if you wish to accept this, accept it as the invitation to a conversation"
So why do this hippy thing? Because you want people to interact with your stuff, talk to you about it, get interested in your stuff and help you explore your ideas, but you want at some point to say "Ok people, now I'm a product-maker, and here is a thing worth paying for".
The ashcan price seems like a way to remind people people that this thing deserves money at some point, and to form a token gesture of respect for you as a creator. And the fact that it is a physically different document means that people buying the later properly priced one don't feel short-changed. Playtesting also forms this sort of, "it's not free stuff, it's valuable stuff I'm letting you have for free" vibe.
So say you have a version where you say;
"I want to hear about just about every game you play using this system, even if it's crap, post it and send me a link or just email it direct".
That's the price.
But it's not meant to be about the quantity, like doing lines, but the commitment to a designer-player relationship. To playing it intensively and thoughtfully. Plus you don't just give it to anyone, you either let people request a copy or suggest a copy to them. Your not distributing, your giving a personal gift.
You can honestly say your happy with your game, but you want to let it brew up a community before you release it as a game. If the insights cause you to change your game, then it's sort of like playtesting, but the point is that people feel free to release games for the cred and the conversation, and then differently, for money.
I think this is a good thing, allowing the personal and the profesional to coexist.
On the other hand, I've got little time for refuge in mediocrity, where people don't really try so as to keep their potential seeming magical. I say shoot your cannon balls, then reload with better ones.
