Playtest Metrics
overview
Playtest Metrics,
minus the mystery
Friendly 1–5 scores with plain-English anchors — included with every BBL playtest.
Opinions are loud. Metrics are useful. Every session we run turns play into clear numbers: teachability, pacing and downtime, decision load, balance signals, and more. We weight what matters to your goals and back the scores with timestamps and quotes, so you can see what slipped, why it slipped, and whether your next change actually fixes it.
Anchored 1–5 rubric (no vague “vibes”)
Weights tuned to your goals
Evidence first: timestamps + quotes
Track improvements over time
Works with any BBL playtest package
deliverables
What You Get
Clear, plain-English numbers you can act on — no extra fee, no extra hoops.
One-Page Scorecard
Key areas (teachability, pacing/downtime, decision load, balance signals) scored 1–5 with simple anchors.
Goal-Weighted Summary
We tune the weighting to your goals (e.g., “onboarding” vs. “late-game clarity”) so the roll-up reflects what matters.
Evidence Pack
Each score is linked to timestamps and quotes, so you can see exactly where the friction showed up.
Heatmap by Phase/Turn
A quick visual of where flow stalls or clicks across setup, teach, early/mid/late game.
Before/After Comparison
Retesting? We show how scores moved so you can tell if a change helped.
Top 5 Fixes
A short, prioritized list of next steps based on the signals we saw.
Simple Tracking Sheet (on request)
If you’re testing multiple versions, we’ll spin up a clean, shareable tracker so your progress lives in one place.
use cases
Ways to Use Metrics
Pick how deep you want to go — snapshot, compare versions, or track progress across sessions.
Snapshot (default)
One session, clear 1–5 scores with anchors, plus the moments that drove them.
Best for: A quick read before a pitch, blind test, or a rules tweak.
Outcome: A focused shortlist of fixes you can act on right now.
Includes:
One-page scorecard
Phase/turn heatmap
Evidence (timestamps + quotes)
Compare Versions (before/after)
Retest or A/B a change and see what got better, stayed the same, or slipped.
Best for: Teach flow, pacing/downtime, or a specific mechanic you’re tuning.
Outcome: Confidence your tweak helped (or caught an unintended side effect).
Includes:
Side-by-side scores
Movement notes
Key moments to review
Tracking (multiple sessions)
When you’re iterating, we keep a simple tracker so you can see progress clearly.
Best for: Sprints, campaign prep, or bigger rules changes rolled out over weeks.
Outcome: A clean view of how scores change across sessions and where to focus next.
Includes:
Light tracking sheet on request
Rolling summaries after each session
Milestone snapshots when you change a rule
Precise Timing
(optional with TTS builds)
If we build your module in Tabletop Simulator, we can add light timers to capture setup, teach, and turn length precisely — linked to session moments. Helpful for designs sensitive to downtime.
rubric
What We Measure
Plain-English categories, each scored 1–5 with clear anchors — tuned to your goals.
These are the signals we watch in every session. You’ll see scores, the moments that drove them, and what to try next.
Core Gameplay
Mechanics, balance, flow, challenge, replayability.
Rules & Instructions
Clarity, completeness, accessibility, onboarding.
Theme & Immersion
Theme integration and engagement (does the feel match the promise?).
Strategy & Decisions
Decision load, meaningful choices, heuristics, analysis paralysis risk.
Player Interaction
Table energy, cooperation/competition feel, downtime and pacing.
Player Experience
Fun factor, perceived fairness, learning curve.
Scoring & Victory
Scoring clarity, end conditions, tiebreakers, win satisfaction.
Practical Fit
Setup time, playtime fit, scalability by count, portability.
Testing Hygiene
Feedback quality, observed rule fidelity, surprises/exploits worth probing.
faqs
Popular Questions
Are metrics included, or is this an add-on?
Included. Every BBL playtest comes with a 1–5 scorecard, anchors, and evidence. No extra fee.
What does a 1–5 score actually mean?
We use plain-English anchors:
5 Excellent · 4 Good · 3 Acceptable · 2 Weak · 1 Critical.
Each category has examples so scores aren’t guessy.
Do you just “rate the fun”?
We capture a player-reported fun check, but we mainly score the signals that drive it: clarity, pacing/downtime, decision load, fairness, and fit with your intent.
How do you keep scores from being subjective?
Anchors + receipts. We score against clear definitions, calibrate before sessions, and tie scores to timestamps and quotes so you can see what prompted them.
Can you weight scores to my goals?
Yes. In intake, you tell us what matters (e.g., onboarding vs. late-game depth), and we weight categories so your roll-up reflects those priorities.
Can you compare versions (before/after)?
Absolutely. Retest a change and we’ll show what improved, stayed flat, or slipped—plus the moments that explain why.
How do you measure pacing and downtime?
We note when players wait or stall and link those moments to your timeline. If your module is in Tabletop Simulator, we can optionally add light timers for setup, teach, turns, and phases.
What if my game doesn’t fit the rubric?
We’ll adjust categories and anchors. For example, a party game may lean less on “decision load” and more on “table energy” and “turn clarity.”
How many sessions do I need for useful metrics?
One session gives you a helpful snapshot. Two to three sessions make trends clearer. More than that is great when you’re actively iterating.
Who are the testers, and does that affect scores?
We match testers to your genre/complexity and keep the rubric constant. Scores reflect observable signals, not player taste alone.
Can I get the raw data?
Yes. We can share a simple tracker (Airtable or CSV) with category scores, notes, and links to moments.
How fast do I get the scorecard?
Within 48–72 hours after each session, alongside your playtest report.
Will this make my report longer (and harder to read)?
No — your scorecard is one page with a short summary and the “Top 5 fixes.” Deeper evidence lives behind links so you can drill down only where needed.
Can you include my own questions or house rubric?
Sure. Share what you use and we’ll map it to our categories or run both in parallel.
Is my data private?
Yes. Your materials and metrics are confidential. We’ll sign an NDA if you need one.
Leave a request
Track progress, not just opinions
We analyze every aspect of your system and return real metrics you can use. Share your game & goals and we’ll set up a playtest this week.
