How to TECH TEST your game in soft launch

The soft launch of a game is a critical phase in its journey to market readiness. At its foundation lies the tech test, an essential first step that ensures the game’s systems and foundational mechanics are functioning properly. This article explores what a tech test is, why it’s vital, and how to conduct one effectively.

What Is a Tech Test?

A tech test is the initial phase of a game’s soft launch process. Its primary purpose is to evaluate the technical and operational readiness of the game before advancing to broader marketing efforts. This phase focuses on validating data accuracy, basic game functionality, and establishing reliable baseline metrics.

The Key Objectives of a Tech Test

1. Quality Assurance for Data and Tracking

One of the most important aspects of a tech test is ensuring that data and tracking pipelines are functional. Before committing significant resources to marketing, it’s critical to validate:

• Attribution Provider Implementation: Attribution providers link marketing efforts to player behavior. For mobile games, popular providers include Adjust, Singular, and AppsFlyer. For PC games, GameSight is a reliable option.
• Purchase Validation: Ensure that in-game purchases work seamlessly, and verify that all data streams required for marketing dashboards are operational.

This step prevents costly errors in future phases and ensures that your analytics and marketing tools are correctly integrated.

2. Validating Game Functionality with Real Players

The tech test is the first opportunity to observe how real, unbiased players interact with your game. Key areas to assess include:

• Basic Game Loop: Does the game work as intended? Are the core mechanics engaging and functional?
• Server Stability: Ensure servers can handle expected loads without frequent crashes or disruptions.
• Identifying Critical Bugs: Watch for outlier data points, such as a significant drop-off rate immediately after app launch. For instance, a 95% player drop-off post-download could indicate a major onboarding issue.

This step is crucial for squashing bugs early and refining the player experience.

3. Interpreting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with Caution

During the tech test, you’ll gather valuable KPIs, but interpreting them requires context and restraint. Here are some key tips:

• Focus on Weekly Cohorts: Daily metrics can be misleading due to small sample sizes. Viewing performance over a weekly period provides a more reliable picture.
• Expect Metric Biases: If you run your tech test in a low-cost market like the Philippines (a common recommendation), understand that metrics like Cost Per Install (CPI), retention, and monetization may differ significantly from primary markets like the USA:
  • CPI: Typically lower in low-cost markets.
  • Retention: May appear weaker compared to more engaged primary audiences.
  • Monetization: Likely to underperform relative to high-value markets.

Adjust your expectations accordingly and use this data for benchmarking rather than definitive conclusions.

Best Practices for Tech Testing

1. Start Small: Keep your player pool limited to a cost-effective market. This keeps costs low while still providing actionable insights.
2. Iterate Quickly: Use player feedback and data to address issues promptly.
3. Baseline Metrics: Establish realistic benchmarks for each key KPI to guide future testing phases.

What’s Next?

Once the tech test is complete, the next stage of the soft launch is the retention test, where the focus shifts from technical readiness to player engagement and long-term retention. By ensuring a strong foundation in the tech test, your game will be better equipped to thrive in subsequent stages.

For more tips and guidance on game development and soft launch strategies, reach out to us! We’re happy to discuss everything from soft launches to post-launch scaling!