Here's how you can improve your game design abilities using feedback.

Create data analysis tools to gather information about the players behavior, but don't overwhelm the game with collectors, because this can lead to hard to read data, increased analyzing times and energy spent every time the data must be read, organized and documented by the researcher, manager or QA. In reference to the above, select specific but important areas of the game you want to keep a close eye on for monetization, general improvement, bug detection, disengagement, frustration wall, etc.

I believe even before releasing the game to be tested by users, is wonderful to have the possibility to share it with some trusted game developers who can audit the games and document any bugs that they can find. The second feedback ring should be trusted users in a focus group, and finally the third feedback ring can be a demo version located in any serious platform, where you can place a feedback form. Is very important to classify the feedback using a system that allows you to identify and work first in the vital threatening issues, followed by the functional non critical issues and finally the general aspects of the game that don't compromise usability or performance. A complain is an opportunity of improvement, learn from them.

Collect feedback using simple surveys with selection-based questions. Ensure that the number of questions is neither too many nor too few. Strategize the timing of the survey appropriately. If it is a match-based game, it's often best to display the survey at the end of the match.

Standardize methods for feedback recollection and organization, you can create a matrix of importance for the collected feedback, ranging from A to D in importance for the game functionality and 1 to 4 for the game design and feels. A is something vital for the game to work that can otherwise compromise gameplay's stability; D is something can be fixed later on that doesn't break anything. Same for 1 for features or issues that could make the game feel unplayable, clunky, unfinished and cheap, and 4 for subjective or minor improvements.

In complex projects, I have borrowed medical triage to analyze collected feedback and what to prioritize when working in the solution of the findings. Sometimes in small projects I shorten the list to 4 events: 1. Vital game threats: In general, whatever that endangers the performance or the correct activity of the game functions must be addessed first. Also fall into this category the issues that shorten the scope of the game in terms of compatibility and usability. 2. General important issues. These are bugs that can bother, yet not affect the game vitals. 3. Aestetical issues. These are not harmful at all to the game, yet doesn't look good and is important that the game looks great. 4. Useless Information that can be archived.

Feedback: A Goldmine, But Prioritize Wisely! Player feedback is invaluable, but not all suggestions hold equal weight. After identifying the most valuable comments, prioritize changes based on their potential impact on the player experience. Focus on issues that affect core gameplay mechanics, user interface, or any element hindering enjoyment or playability. The urge to tackle everything at once is understandable, but effective development requires strategy. Prioritize critical issues that will provide the most significant benefit to players and enhance the overall quality of your game. This ensures your development efforts have the biggest impact on player satisfaction.

Is important to test the game again after doing every change, and document the findings until everything works fine. Also, is very important to document the changes done inside the game, explaining with comments what has been done and why, so in case that another developer has to work in the part that was changed, understand what happened there. Be sure that the change you did has not created new bugs, has not affected performance or the game normal activity. After checking everything, follow the feedback rings sequence that you created initially. I normally use 4: 1. trusted developers, 2. Testing groups and 3. Demo testers. 4. Normal users after demo has evolved to released version of the game.

Test, Refine, Repeat! Feedback is just the first step. After implementing changes, rigorous testing is crucial. Create a plan incorporating different methods like playtesting, user testing, and QA. Involve players who provided the feedback whenever possible. Their direct insights will reveal if the changes truly address their concerns and improve gameplay. Remember: Testing ensures your fixes hit the mark, avoiding unintended consequences and delivering a smoother experience for everyone!

Reflect is another word to describe what we call in project management Learned Lessons, every feedback that was implemented in the game reveals some insights that could be new or of great value for you. After finishing each of the project milestones, create a documentation with the Learned Lessons of the finished milestone, write down the feedback and experiences that allowed the project or the team to grow. Having these documents can increase the company performance in the future and increase risk mitigation by having knowledge of prior experiences that can foresee challenges and propose solutions.