Razer and Side have introduced an expansive playtesting solution designed to potentially cut costs by up to 80%

Side, a provider of video gaming services, has partnered with technology and hardware company Razer to introduce an innovative playtesting platform that supports up to 100,000 participants.

This initiative, titled 'Razer Cortex: Playtest Program – Powered by Side', is integrated into the Razer Cortex launcher. The launcher grants access to games available on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, and includes features such as video recording.

Users can participate as playtesters by selecting the 'Playtest' option in Cortex. To join, they must consent to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and can then access pre-release game versions. The platform logs playtime and collects performance data, while testers can submit feedback on game features and report any issues.

In exchange for their contributions, participants earn Razer Silver, which can be traded for items like headphones once certain milestones are achieved. With a global user base exceeding 50 million, Cortex offers game developers extensive access to diverse playtester demographics.

While at Gamescom, GamesIndustry.biz spoke with Side's Chief Technology Officer, Harlan Beverly, about the initiative. "We're revolutionizing the approach to playtesting," Beverly noted.

Traditionally, playtesting involved enlisting a small group of gamers for observation and interviews. However, with millions ready to adhere to NDAs, Side can now facilitate extensive pre-alpha testing previously unattainable.

The program's significant value lies in its AI capabilities, which process and analyze the substantial data pool from large-scale testing, identifying trends and providing a comprehensive overview of tester feedback. "The challenge is managing simultaneous feedback from thousands," Beverly explained, highlighting the AI's capacity to streamline data analysis and trend identification.

"If you get caught leaking stuff, then you're going to lose your Razer Silver and Razer account"

Harlan Beverly, Side

Beverly also emphasized the system's ability to identify repetitive bug reports and consolidate them into single entries, regardless of varied reporting language. Furthermore, it can automate the creation of Jira tickets for each issue.

Addressing potential confidentiality concerns, he noted, "There are significant penalties for breaches outlined in the NDAs," explaining that leaking content results in the forfeiture of Razer Silver and account suspension.

Developers can also narrow the testing group based on trust levels or other criteria. Beverly mentioned that this large-scale playtesting solution is not only expansive but also more cost-effective, potentially reducing costs by 80% compared to traditional methods that pay playtesters hourly.

Razer’s Director of Technology, Eric Vezzoli, has expressed optimism about the program's impact, stating, "We think it should be a game changer."