Understanding Lysto's Pricing Structure

Lysto Pricing: How It Works

Lysto's pricing is designed to be flexible and transparent, supporting game studios, research teams and publishers at different scales and stages of game development. Whether you're running a single playtest or planning a year-long research roadmap, our pricing adapts to how you work.

Two Pricing Models

Lysto offers two main pricing approaches: Project-Based Pricing for one-off studies and Enterprise Plans or Credit Packages for ongoing long-term projects.

Project-Based Pricing

Project-based pricing is designed for studios running individual, standalone projects. This model works on a scope-and-proposal basis, where we evaluate your specific research needs and provide a custom quote.

How it works:
You share your project requirements with us. Whether it's a single-session playtest with 5 players or a 60-player PvP multiplayer study across Europe and North America with an analysis report conducted by an expert user researcher, we scope out the project, understand your goals, and deliver a tailored proposal that covers everything you need.

What's included:

• No project minimums
• No unnecessary onboarding fees
• All advanced platform features
• Custom player recruitment
• AI-powered analysis, gameplay recordings, and research reports (if any)
• Full platform access for the duration of the project
  
  

When to use this model:

Project-based pricing is ideal for studios testing Lysto for the first time, running one-off research projects, or working on a specific study without committing to a longer-term plan. Feel free to come to us with any request, regardless of size or complexity.

Enterprise Plan or Credit-Based Pricing

Credit-based pricing is designed for teams with long-term, recurring playtesting and Game User Research needs . For credit packages, studios typically engage with us around a 12–18 month research plan. Based on that plan, we put together a credit package proposal that gives them flexibility in how and when they use their credits.

How it works:

Studios begin by sharing their research plan with us, including the anticipated number of playtests they expect to run and the player volumes required. Based on this plan, we recommend a credit package that aligns with their anticipated needs over the contract period. Credits can then be used flexibly across different playtest types, study formats, platforms, and regions, allowing teams to allocate research budget strategically and adapt as priorities shift.

How Credits Are Used

Credits provide a simple, predictable way to budget for playtesting. One credit equals one gameplay session, which means one playtester playing your game one time, with standard player targeting.

Credits give studios clarity on costs and make it easy to plan research budgets across different study types and scales.

What's included in a credit package:

• Flexible credit allocation across all playtest types (Single-Session, Multi-Session, Longitudinal, Concept Testing, Surveys, Moderated Studies)
• Credit package benefits and volume pricing
• All advanced platform features
• Custom player recruitment and targeting
• AI-powered analysis, gameplay recordings, and research reports
• Ongoing support from Games Partnership Managers

When to use this model:

Credit packages are ideal for studios with ongoing research needs, teams planning multiple playtests throughout the year, or studios integrating Lysto into their regular development workflow. This model provides predictable budgeting and the flexibility to run research as needed without negotiating individual project pricing each time.

What Affects Pricing

Regardless of which model you choose, several factors influence the overall cost:

• Number of playtesters: More participants increase the scope and cost, but studios get volume pricing.
• Study type: Single-session playtests differ in scope from multi-session or longitudinal studies.
• Targeting complexity: Standard targeting criteria (age, region, gender) are included. Specific targeting requirements like player behavior, specific levels reached in certain games, etc. may affect pricing. 
• Platform: PC and mobile (Android/iOS) playtests may have different requirements.
• Surveys: Standalone surveys are priced separately. Post-playtest surveys are included as part of the playtest in one-off pricing.
• Custom research: Moderated playtests, interviews, FGDs, and custom research solutions are scoped individually.
  
  

Transparency and No Hidden Fees

Our pricing is designed to be straightforward. There are no hidden fees, no surprise charges, and no mandatory add-ons. Whether you're working with project-based pricing or a credit package, you'll know exactly what you're paying for and what's included.

Getting Started

To get a pricing proposal:

1. Contact your Games Partnership Manager if you already have one.
2. Reach out to us directly at contact@lysto.io with details about your research goals, study type, and player requirements.
3. Share your 12–18 month research roadmap if you're interested in a credit package.

We'll scope your needs, answer any questions, and provide a proposal that fits your studio's goals and budget.