Playtest 1 Game Maker’s Notes – “The Sell Me This Challenge”

What questions did your players have?

• Players were curious about how the “Buy” and “Pass” cards affected scoring in more detail.
• There were questions about the rules for the special spaces on the game board, especially the “Steal a Card” space.
• Some players asked if there were more ways to increase the challenge, like adding more complex sales scenarios.
• A few were unsure about the variety of Object Cards and how some categories might be more challenging than others.

How quickly did they learn to play?

• Players generally picked up the rules quickly. The main mechanics were easy to grasp, but the sales pitch strategies took a bit of practice.
• Most players needed just a round or two to get used to the timers and how the Scenario Cards worked.

What kinds of interactions did the players have?

• Players were very interactive during the sales pitches, offering feedback on what worked or didn’t.
• There was a lot of friendly banter and joking around during the pitches, especially with creative or exaggerated sales techniques.
• Players asked each other questions during the pitches, especially when they wanted to test the seller’s adaptability.

What confused players?

• Some players were confused by the rules around the “Steal a Card” space and how that impacted the game flow.
• The connection between the Scenario Cards and the Object Cards wasn’t always clear, which led to confusion about how to adapt the pitch.
• A few players didn’t fully understand how the points worked and how they accumulated over time, especially with different categories being worth different points.

What made players excited?

• The fast-paced nature of the game, especially with the timer, got players really excited.
• Creative moments where players had to think outside the box and pitch ordinary objects in ridiculous ways were a highlight.
• The Mystery Box Challenge variation, where sellers didn’t know what they were selling, generated a lot of excitement and laughs.
• The “Steal a Card” spaces also kept the game unpredictable and added a fun competitive element.

What did your players enjoy doing?

• Players enjoyed coming up with funny or exaggerated sales pitches.
• They liked adapting to different scenarios and trying to convince others to buy something unusual.
• The feedback phase, where players voted to “Buy” or “Pass,” was a fun way to engage everyone and kept the competitive spirit high.
• Many enjoyed being the buyer and giving constructive feedback on sales pitches.

Did any aspect of the game frustrate players?

• The time limits for each sales pitch were frustrating for some players, as they felt rushed.
• Some players found it difficult to pitch an item when the Scenario Card described a defect or limitation.
• The “Steal a Card” mechanic felt a bit unfair at times, especially if it interfered with a player’s strategy.
• The imbalance in Object Cards, with some categories being harder to sell than others, led to frustration.

What is you plan to adress player questions, confusion, and frustration?

• Clarify rules: I will add more detailed explanations about the “Steal a Card” space and how points accumulate in the next edition of the game.
• Balance Object Cards: I will work on balancing the categories so that the difficulty of pitching items feels more equal, with more challenging items being worth more points.
• Adjust time limits: I’ll consider adding optional rule variations for players who want a longer time to pitch, especially for more difficult items.
• Provide more guidance: I will include a guide for structuring effective sales pitches to help new players get the hang of it faster.

If your players didn’t get your intended message, what will you change?

• I will add a section in the instruction manual that emphasizes the importance of thinking quickly, being confident, and using humor or emotion in sales pitches.
• I might include a few examples in the rules to better show how to approach sales scenarios with creative solutions.
• I will consider adding a “Tips for Sellers” section to help players understand how to make the most of every pitch, no matter the limitations.