Playtesting is a crucial step in the game development process. With the rise of the cloud, the increase in users from 160.2 million in 2021 to 220.2 million in 2023, as well as the growth in market capitalization from $1.3 billion in 2021 to $2.3 billion in late 2022, playtesting in the cloud is becoming a popular option for game developers. This research will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of playtesting in the cloud and provide insights into the current supply and demand of cloud playtesting solutions.
The cloud is a great remote playtesting tool that makes reaching a wide target audience around the world possible without large logistical efforts from developers. Playtesting on the cloud eliminates the need for physical hardware, such as consoles or powerful PCs, that would otherwise be necessary for traditional playtests. Additionally, online tests help developers save on rent costs, as they are conducted remotely. This makes playtesting easier and more cost-efficient than ever.
Moreover, the capacity of playtests can be increased, since the cloud enables:
A platform with a range of these services gives developers an opportunity to level up their playtests’ customization by changing the settings and design of playtests easily.
Compared to traditional playtesting, users can get the same game experience on the cloud because they don’t need additional equipment and a very fast Internet connection (even 15 Mb/s is enough). If a company has servers in different countries, they can also choose a location with minimal ping in order to reduce delays in playtests on the cloud.
The main difference between games in the cloud and local devices is that in the first case, there’s no need to set up a game. After logging in to the cloud, players only need to wait 2–5 seconds to start the game. Therefore, respondents don’t face the device preparation process.
To run a game with FHD 60fps in the cloud, people only need to have an internet speed of only 15 megabits per second. So, the custom cloud works regardless of the quality of the internet.
Game studios care a lot about safety. Even the smallest information leaks affect brand perception, marketing plans, and company reputation (for example, EA and Ubisoft). So, developers want to control every step of playtesting to avoid data leaks. As a security measure, developers keep a user database with a wide range of playtesters’ parameters, apply additional verification layers to users’ information, and use special security systems allowing them to identify data leaks. Cloud game testing minimizes the risk of code leaks, but does not protect against gameplay and story leaks. Unscrupulous testers can still take photos, screenshots, and make video recordings.
The demand for cloud playtesting solutions is rather low so far. Developers may not be aware of cloud playtesting due to limited knowledge, lack of experience with cloud services, or the belief that it's not necessary for their development process. They also seem hesitant to adopt new technology and change their established workflow due to the uncertainty of cloud playtesting benefits. Developers want a platform that allows them to reach a large audience quickly and test their games efficiently, while also gathering qualitative data such as engagement and satisfaction.
Cloud gaming is 2.5 times more cost-effective than traditional methods. Cloud gaming platforms provide their services at an average price of $1,500–$2,500 per month. Renting servers from Amazon GameLift costs between $50–$2,500 per month based on server capacity. "Classic Playtests" among AAA and AA companies cost around $15–$30/hour per tester.
Cloud playtesting services aim to provide a solution that caters specifically to the needs of mid-tier/indie game developers by offering a fast, affordable, and user-friendly playtesting platform.
We need to keep a close eye on the development of gaming tests in the cloud because this is the technology of tomorrow, available today.