Why playtest with Lysto?

At Lysto, we love games. We love talking to people who build them and the people who play them. We spend a lot of time trying to unravel what makes a game click with players, which – in other words – is called playtesting.

Playtesting is the process of having real people play your game before release to identify problems and gather feedback about their experience. Think of it as a reality check – what seems perfectly clear to developers who've been immersed in the game for months might be completely baffling to a player interacting with the game for the first time.

Why is playtesting important

During playtesting, we carefully observe how players engage with a game, noting everything from confusion points and difficulty spikes to moments of genuine delight. Depending on what the brief from the game studio is, we watch for signs of frustration, track whether players understand core mechanics, and gather feedback about what is and isn't fun. 

What makes playtesting particularly crucial is that games are interactive experiences – unlike a movie or book, players need to actively engage with and understand the systems to progress. A mechanic that seems obvious to its creator might be completely opaque to players. Technical issues aside, playtesting helps ensure that the intended experience actually translates to players.

While game development requires tremendous creativity and technical skill, it's playtesting that helps transform good ideas into great experiences. It's the bridge between developer intent and player reality.

What does Lysto do

Lysto is a playtesting platform that strives to create better gaming experiences through systematic, data-informed insights from real players. 

We will work closely with you to identify the most appropriate testing methods for your specific needs, whether you're in early development, preparing for launch, or optimizing a live service. From our extensive and diverse player panel, we’ll be able to recruit the gamers relevant for you. We believe in actionable insights – every piece of data we collect is analysed and presented with clear recommendations for improving your game's player experience. 

From AAA to indie studios, from game publishers to investors, Lysto has delivered high-impact services in playtesting, user research and user acquisition.  

What kind of playtests does Lysto conduct

We offer a carefully crafted suite of research methods, each designed to uncover different aspects of the player experience. Currently, we offer the following services:

	1. Single session Single session playtests are great when you want to collect quick actionable feedback on the first impressions players have of the game or any particular aspect. You can also add a set of survey questions to augment the gameplay videos.
	2. Multi session Multi session playtests are useful when you want to test aspects like core gameplay loops that take a longer time to grasp. You can choose the number of sessions for the playtest, as well as the duration based on your game’s requirements.
	3. Longitudinal  Longitudinal playtests help you understand player engagement over a longer period of time. Players play the game over 5-7 days, and sometimes longer, if needed. Tracking their progression enables you to gauge the potential pain points and what makes them drop off.
	4. Competitor testing Competitor testing allows you to explore a competitor’s game, enabling you to understand what really resonates with players.
	5. A/B Testing A/B testing lets you compare player behavior between two versions: either different builds of your own game, or between your game and a competitor's game.
	6. Survey Only Surveys are a great way to collect structured, quantitative feedback from a larger pool of players quickly. Irrespective of the kind of playtest you’re thinking of opting for, surveys help gather crucial player insights.
	7. Interviews and focus groups When you want to understand your player’s motivations, interviews and focus groups are the way to go. These interviews are conducted by Lysto’s team of in-house experts who are trained to provide in-depth context to player behaviors.
	8. Expert user research services Not sure where to start? Let us do it for you. Our research operations team can assist in structuring the playtesting process so that your game can reach its potential.

Who are the playtesters

At Lysto, we're proud to have built one of the largest playtesting communities. Our testers come from all walks of gaming life - from casual players who enjoy simple mobile games to hardcore enthusiasts who live and breathe complex strategy titles.

When you work with us, we carefully select testers who match your specified targeting. Every playtest is conducted in the most natural setting possible - from the comfort of their own homes, using their own devices. This gives you authentic insights into how your game performs in real-world conditions.

We believe in treating our playtesters as valued collaborators in the game development process. That's why we offer competitive compensation for their time and valuable feedback. This approach has helped us build a committed community that takes testing seriously and provides thoughtful, detailed insights.

Want to understand how your game resonates with players in different markets? Our global playtesting community gives you direct access to local gaming audiences worldwide. Their feedback helps you understand cultural nuances and preferences that could make or break your game's success in specific regions.

At Lysto, we're not just testing games; we're helping you build experiences that players will love.