Dev Journal: Lessons from Today’s Playtest 🕹️
Project: PhD Gamification Game – Kitchen Chaos
What I Did Today:
• Reflected on player feedback from my vertical slice.
• Tried to figure out what “fun” really looks like, even though I don’t personally feel it yet.
Key Takeaways:
• Fun boils down to: Challenge, Clarity, and Reason to Care.
• Challenge + Clarity are the biggest levers for engagement.
• Feedback patterns repeat: “Nothing interesting” or “objective unclear” popped up multiple times.
• Shows me where clarity and challenge need work.
• Punishment vs Mitigation:
• The system balances stakes and risk with resilience and support.
• Keeps the game engaging but not frustrating.
• Observing playtests is gold:
• Even if I don’t experience “fun,” watching players teaches me what works and what doesn’t.
Next Steps:
• Focus on finishing the core gameplay first.
• Continue playtesting and iterating.
• Document insights to support the PhD proposal later.
💡 Reflection:
• Today reinforced that the game itself is the best teacher.
• Theory comes after the experience is tangible.
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