Why Internal Playtests Fail: Real Player Feedback Matters
Internal playtests hide the flaws that frustrate real players. In this Episode 3 recap of Game UX Alchemists, learn why dev‑team feedback falls short—and how recruiting the right players turns honest insights into higher retention and smoother launches.
The Importance of First Time User Experience (FTUE) in Games
First‑Time User Experience (FTUE) can make or break a game. Discover simple, proven tactics for crafting intuitive onboarding that teaches core mechanics fast and hooks players for the long haul.
What Makes or Breaks Games (from UX perspective)
What truly makes—or breaks—a game? Our UX experts reveal the most common design pitfalls and playtest‑backed fixes that keep players engaged from start to finish.
Your PC Playtesting Platform for Remote and Unmoderated Studies
Antidote is a user research and playtesting platform for video games. Since 2017, we’ve helped top studios and publishers playtest their PC and mobile games with confidence. Some of the teams we’ve partnered with and the titles we’ve worked on: But why do so many game studios choose to work with us? […]
Antidote’s Security Measures for Playtesting Your Games
Introduction At Antidote, securing the intellectual property of your game during playtesting sessions is our number one priority. We recognize the countless hours your team has spent on planning, designing and creating your game, as well as the resources invested to realize the project. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure that your game’s details are protected […]
QA vs. Playtesting: 3 Mistakes Every Game Dev Should Avoid
Co-author: Lydia Galeano, UX Researcher at Antidote In game development, the concepts of quality assurance (QA) and playtesting are often used interchangeably, even by the most experienced devs. Although they appear similar, both testing methods aim to achieve specific outcomes and misusing them can compromise the quality of the feedback. In this article, we’ll explore […]
Player’s Toolkit: A Guide to Antidote Playtests and Studies
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 […]
Women in Gaming: Mapping Women’s Territories of Relaxation
We recently asked women in our player community about their experiences with video games, including how they began playing, their other hobbies, and how they balance their obligations with their free time. 405 women from diverse backgrounds, geographic locations and from 16 to 77 YO collaborated in this research. Based on the results, here are […]
How to Lead a Successful Multiplayer Playtest: An In-Depth Guide
Co-author: Lucila Drughieri, UX Researcher at Antidote Multiplayer playtesting is a research study that aims to evaluate a game’s social dynamics and overall user experience, focusing on uncovering real player interactions within multiplayer environments. This Game User Research (GUR) method goes beyond assessing basic functionality, ensuring the game mechanics are engaging, balanced and enjoyable. […]
3 Unique Insights That A Full Playthrough Reveals for Your Game
Co-author: Theadora Vaxevanou, UX Researcher at Antidote A full playthrough is a Game User Research (GUR) method that involves playtesting your game from start to finish. The aim is to closely observe how players interact with the game’s mechanics, engage with the narrative and perceive the overall gameplay experience. But why should game studios consider […]