Testing the Game - GNN Blog #6

Designing a board game is no small feat, especially for a project as ambitious as Master of Orion: Ad Astra. Ensuring that every element functions seamlessly has required hundreds of hours of testing and the scrutiny of countless eyes. Let’s take a closer look at how we refined the game through rigorous playtesting.

Internal Tests

Almost daily, our game designers—and occasionally other team members—conduct internal tests to evaluate new ideas or see if recent updates are working as intended (spoiler: they usually aren’t, and we often return to the drawing board).
During these sessions, testers make detailed notes on various game aspects. Afterward, this feedback is compiled into a spreadsheet for in-depth analysis. It’s an intensive process, but it’s invaluable in shaping the game.

External Tests

We frequently organize external tests to gather fresh perspectives. These can range from inviting groups of players to our headquarters, to engaging with enthusiastic gamers at the fairs we attend each year.
Recently, one of our consultants, Michael Buonagurio, playtested Master of Orion: Ad Astra with none other than the original creators of the 1993 Master of Orion video game. Their feedback? The game captures the spirit of MOO while skillfully simplifying complex mechanisms without losing the essence of the experience. We are very happy to hear that and hope to improve the game even further.

Open Tests

While external tests provide great insight into the first impressions, they aren’t enough to evaluate the game's deeper systems. To address this, we’re excited to announce numerous upcoming open tests. Soon, players with access to Tabletop Simulator will be able to dive into the core version of the game by themselves!
Keep in mind that this will still be a beta version, and your feedback will be crucial in refining the game. Together, we can make Master of Orion: Ad Astra the best it can be. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

See You Soon

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue on this journey. Your support and input make this project possible—let's build something amazing together! Remember to check out our Gamefound page, after all, we are only one month away from the campaign: