play testing

It’s Standard Playtesting, Everybody Does It

In another sign that my generation’s culture is gaining dominance, NPR gave video games a bit of coverage this morning. Unfortunately, the story that makes it sound like the company invented playtesting doesn’t suggest that Microsoft’s behemoth investment in the Halo franchise makes that testing (and, perhaps, blandness) necessary. (Meanwhile, MSNBC last year ran an off-message story about how playtesters declared the Wii the top console.)

Reality: Playtesting is one of those dream jobs that people scour Craigslist for or start questionable-looking services around. As a side benefit, it improves your vision.