We believe in crafting a game that resonates deeply with our players, both in storytelling and gameplay. This requires listening to you, our community, at every stage of development. Here’s how playtesting has shaped Dark Queen so far and what’s next.
First Playtest: Blender Film & Games Conference
In October, we unveiled the first early prototype of Dark Queen at the Blender: Film & Games conference in Zagreb, Croatia. It was an exciting moment for us as this was the first time players got to step into the dark world we’re building. The feedback we received was invaluable - players praised the game’s atmosphere and story foundation but also provided constructive criticism about areas needing improvement - mostly regarding the combat mechanics. We compiled an extensive list of changes to make the gameplay feel smoother, more intuitive, and engaging. This initial playtest was a reality check, but also a huge motivator - it confirmed we were on the right track while spotlighting areas that needed our focus.
First Playtest: Blender Film & Games Conference
The Second Round: Reboot InfoGamer
Fast forward to November, where we brought an updated prototype to Reboot Infogamer in Zagreb, the biggest gaming event in the region. This version of the prototype reflected many of the changes inspired by October’s feedback and this was a chance to see how a wider and more diverse audience would react to Dark Queen. The response was incredible and we noticed improvements in the overall player experience thanks to the updates and improvements since the previous version. That said, we also uncovered fresh insights. For instance:
- Some players wanted more clarity in tutorial
- All of them wanted better balancing (and responsiveness) in combat
- And, as expected, a few bugs made themselves known during extended gameplay sessions
Second Playtest: Reboot InfoGamer
Next Steps: Playtesting with Our Discord Community
As we reflect on our playtesting journey so far, it’s clear that community involvement has been the cornerstone of Dark Queen’s progress. The next chapter in this process will be even more collaborative: we’ll be opening up playtesting to our Discord community. This will be a chance to involve you all directly in the development process, giving you a sneak peek at the game’s improvements while gathering targeted feedback. We’re especially looking forward to hearing from players who’ve followed our development from these early stages and are deeply invested in seeing Dark Queen move on.
Your Voice Shapes Dark Queen
Playtesting is more than just identifying what works and what doesn’t - it’s about building a game with the players, not just for them. Every piece of feedback brings us closer to realizing the full potential of Dark Queen. We want to thank everyone who’s played our prototype so far and shared their thoughts. And to our Discord community: get ready, because you’ll soon have a chance to step into the world of Dark Queen and leave your mark on our journey.
Stay tuned for details on our next playtesting round, and as always, thank you for being a part of this adventure!
Until the next time,
Downtown Game Studio team