Introduction
At Antidote, we offer a variety of exciting initiatives for our community members to get involved in. Some come with the chance to win fantastic prizes, while others provide different kinds of rewards.
Whether you’re diving into the gameplay of unreleased games or participating in more ‘formal’ activities like interviews and surveys, there’s always something engaging to do.
What ties all these activities together is our commitment to bringing you into our vibrant and global gaming community.
Curious about the different types of tests and activities you can join as an Antidote community member?
Here’s a rundown of everything we offer.
UX Studies - Players' Experience
Getting a feel for how players interact with a game is key to crafting an awesome experience.
That’s where our UX (user experience) studies come in.
These studies are about understanding what you, the players, enjoy or don’t enjoy about different parts of the game, from controls to overall fun.
Your feedback helps developers tweak and polish their games, turning them from good to truly great.
Now, let’s take a look at how you can get involved in these UX studies through our playtests!
Concept Validation
Before a game idea goes too far into development, it’s important to make sure it’s something you and other players will actually enjoy.
To make sure the developers are on the right track, we conduct concept validation playtests.
These sessions help identify whether the ideas – like character design, menu layouts or storyline elements – are something players will like.
You’ll be asked to participate in interviews, either individually or in groups, where your feedback on these game elements will guide the developers in refining their vision before they invest too much time and effort.
First Time User Experience (FTUE)
The first few moments in a game can make or break your experience.
That’s why FTUE playtests focus on your initial interaction with the game.
Our UX research team looks closely at how you navigate the tutorial, handle the controls and deal with the overall difficulty during your first gameplay.
You’ll be asked to share your thoughts on these early steps, helping developers release games that you enjoy playing right from the very start.
Usability Test
A great gaming experience is one where everything feels intuitive and accessible.
Usability testing focuses on refining key aspects like accessibility, control responsiveness and the clarity of instructions.
These tests help ensure that all players, regardless of their experience level, can enjoy the game and understand its mechanics easily.
During these sessions, we help to adjust the elements that matter most for smooth and enjoyable gameplay, making sure the game is both inclusive and fun for everyone.
Longitudinal (Diary) Studies
While most playtests last just an hour or two, longitudinal playtests extend over several days, giving you a chance to dive deeper into the game.
By keeping a diary or log of your experiences, you help developers see how your interests and perceptions change over time.
We know that committing to a longer test is a big request, so these sessions are always pre-scheduled and tailored to fit your availability.
Multiplayer Test
Multiplayer playtests focus on evaluating how well multiplayer mechanics such as game balance, network performance and player interactions hold up in a live environment.
These tests bring together a group of players online at the same time, where you’ll play and interact with each other in real-time.
To help you connect with your fellow testers, we usually set up a dedicated Discord server so you can get to know your teammates before diving into the action.
Stress Test
This study involves testing with a large group of players, pushing the game to its limits.
These tests help identify potential points of failure and determine how many players the game can handle before the performance starts to drop.
It’s similar to a multiplayer playtest, but on a much larger scale – and with a higher chance of things breaking!
If you enjoy the thrill of pushing a system to its breaking point, a stress test might be right up your alley.
Who knows, you might be the one to find the game’s ultimate limit!
Full Playthrough
To evaluate a game’s overall experience, which includes difficulty balance, progression, in-game economy and narrative, nothing beats a full playthrough test.
In these sessions, you’ll play the game from start to finish, immersing yourself in the entire experience and providing feedback along the way.
You’ll be encouraged to share your thoughts out loud as you play and complete a final survey.
Every comment, no matter how small, helps shape the final product.
Interviews
Interviews can either complement other tests or stand alone as their own study.
These are direct conversations where you’ll provide detailed feedback, giving us and the developers a deeper understanding of your thoughts and perspectives.
This qualitative approach allows us to explore specific areas of interest in more depth.
Interviews can be conducted individually or as part of a group (focus groups) and are always scheduled in advance with one of our UX team members, based on your availability.
Market Research
Market research helps developers clearly understand your opinions and preferences regarding specific games, genres, platforms or even the gaming industry as a whole.
The insights gained from these studies allow game studios to create titles that strongly resonate with the community.
By participating, you’re playing a direct role in shaping the games you love, ensuring they deliver the experience you’re looking for.
Here are the market research studies you can be a part of!
Market Research Surveys
Take a few moments to share your thoughts and expectations about the gaming world.
Whether it’s about a game you love, the types of games you’re eager to play or even what you’re NOT interested in, your answers help level up the next generation of games.
These surveys are quick and easy, and as a bonus, you’ll earn some XP or Antidote Coins for your time!
Soft Launch
Launching a game is an exciting moment – but what if it doesn’t go as planned?
To avoid that, we perform a soft launch by introducing the game to a smaller community first.
This allows us to see how it’s received and make any necessary tweaks. It’s a great way to catch potential issues early and ensure the game is ready for a successful full release.
Community Activities
Community events are all about connecting with fellow gamers in a strong, united and friendly virtual society.
While the main reward is the camaraderie and fun, there’s often an XP boost or a giveaway up for grabs too – just in case you need a little extra motivation!
These activities can range from live events like pub quizzes and open game trials to quick surveys.
It’s a great way to have fun, meet new friends and be part of something special.
Open Game Trial
Open Game Trials are a laid-back way to jump into some fun testing sessions.
Unlike more ‘structured’ multiplayer playtests or stress tests, these trials are casual and open to anyone who wants to join.
They pop up every few weeks, offering an open invite for anyone in the mood for a quick game session.
Instead of Antidote Coins, you’ll typically earn raffle tickets for a chance to win big prizes!
Live Events
Hosted by the Antidote Community on our Discord server, live events are a great way to unwind and have some fun.
These events range from game sessions to trivia, polls or riddles.
It’s your chance to test your knowledge, learn something new and enjoy a good time with fellow gamers.
Plus, there are often prizes for the winners or raffle giveaways to keep things exciting!
Community Surveys
From time to time, we send out community surveys to get a better sense of what our members are interested in.
These surveys help us tailor content and make internal improvements that align with what you care about most.
Your input is invaluable in shaping the direction of our community and ensuring we’re always providing the best experience possible.
Summary
We’re dedicated to giving you a voice in the gaming world through various fun and engaging activities.
By participating in playtests, joining community events or sharing your insights in surveys, you’re helping to shape the games you love and strengthen our vibrant community.
We’re excited to have you on this journey with us, making gaming experiences better, together!
