On the evening of June 13, it was time for a very “on hands” event. Gamecity Hamburg organized its second Game Playtest Night in close cooperation with PlayBay Hamburg: We invited Hamburg game developers to share games they are currently working on with us and an interested test audience. It was an exciting evening for everyone involved.

At Play Bay, an eSport Center right in Hamburg's city center, six developer teams met 60 gamers who curiously threw themselves into the games from various genres and gave the developers valuable feedback on playability, fun factor and many other decisive factors of the game.

A win-win situation for everyone involved: With the user feedback, the development teams were able to discuss testing procedures with each other and can use the results to improve their game before a demo or full game release. And the participating players enjoyed a whole evening in a relaxed atmosphere with snacks and drinks, received exclusive insights into games in their development process and were able to talk to the game developers to learn more about their projects.

The Games of the Game Playtest Night#2

• Bee Welcome: Bee Welcome is the name of this hidden object game AND the name of your bee hotel. There are lots of bees in the meadow, but only one of them is a guest in your bee hotel! Can you find them among dozens of others and collect the cutest bees in your cozy little hotel?
   
• Light of Atlantis: In Light of Atlantis, you take on the role of a small robot exploring the sunken ruins of Atlantis. The unique feature of their 2D puzzle Metroidvania game: The players control the water in many different ways and guide the protagonist through the underwater world to solve puzzles and uncover the secrets of the sunken city.
   
• Escape Sector VR: In this atmospheric sci-fi VR game you solve tricky puzzles in order to escape aliens and uncover secrets.
   
• Replicore: In the co-op shooter Replicore, you fight your way through destroyed desert temples on an alien planet in search of your digital salvation, with up to three other team members. A variety of equipment and the ability to throw your team members in the form of a small core to otherwise unreachable positions provide a special something in every match.
   
• ODDADA: ODDADA is a musical building game in which landscapes come to life, machines become instruments and small buildings are your harmonious companions. Place cute little houses in all kinds of places to create melodies and be rewarded with your own little piece of music.
   
• Monstersongs VR: In this VR game you explore an abandoned theatre that has been taken over by monsters who are hungry for love. Escape the monster lurking within yourself in this part rock musical part adventure game.
   
• The Patient: The Patient is a horror escape game with puzzles in which you have to escape from a sadistic doctor in an asylum in the 1930s.

We were happy with the positive feedback from visitors and developers and are thankful for their participation and feedback. The need to regularly try out and test games is also unbroken from both groups, so it won't be the last Game Playtest Night. We look forward to the next one, see you soon!