Day 3: Prototype and Playtest

Learn about prototyping and playtesting to improve your games

  • Paper Prototyping

    Start with this video to learn about the paper prototyping process.

  • Paper Prototyping Activity

    Let’s try the prototyping activity described in the video.

    Practice Paper Prototyping Worksheet (PDF)

  • Let's Grow a Game

    Let’s try another way to quickly prototype an idea from scratch.

    Let’s Grow a Game Worksheet (PDF)

  • Extension Activity

    Extension Activity – A digital tool that can help build out prototypes quickly is GameStar Mechanic.

    As an optional extension, you can try creating your “Grow a Game” Prototype inside of GameStar Mechanic.

  • The Role of Play Testing

    Now let’s watch a video about playtesting, to learn about how we can use our prototypes to get feedback that will improve our ideas.

  • Playtest and ask someone questions!

    Time to playtest! Use what you learned in the video to playtest a game idea. Use one of the two games you made this morning, or one of the games you made yesterday. Have someone who hasn’t seen your game yet play your game, observe them as they play and then when they finish ask them:

    • What did it feel like to play this game?
    • What would you improve about this game?

    Remember the goal is to listen to their feedback, not to defend the choices you made. After getting the feedback make a plan for what you would change in your game to make it better.

Apply to run an online jam

NB: All fields are required


Please tell us which location you helped with in the past:


  1. I will make myself available for a phone or chat conversation with GGJ NEXT organizers before Jam Site approval, and for possible emergencies after approval.
  2. I understand that I am making a commitment to run a 2 week online event, including 1 week of teaching and learning, and 1 week of a jam. I agree to commit to running the structure proposed by GGJ NEXT to the best of my ability, and be available and online for both kids and GGJ staff for at least 2 hours a day during the 2 week event period.
  3. I understand that Global Game Jam Inc. is not responsible for any incidents, accidents or problems that may occur.
  4. I understand and agree the importance to the commitment of child safety, and understand that my GGJ NEXT site can only go ahead once the legal contract has been signed and returned to Global Game Jam Inc, signed by both you and the head of the organisation where you are hosting the jam.
  5. I agree to use the GGJ NEXT logo on online and printed literature when promoting the event.
  6. I agree that I and the jammers will fill in a feedback survey at the end of the jam, to help contribute towards the event's research goals.
  7. I agree to show a short keynote at the start of the jam, and jam around the theme presented in the keynote.
  8. I agree to encourage kids to compile some video footage of the output of the jam, including some 'Let's play' videos of the games (either cast from the screen or recorded with a camera).

Apply to become a mentor

NB: All fields are required


Please tell us which location you helped with in the past:


Please Specify:

  1. I will make myself available for a phone or chat conversation with GGJ NEXT organizers before Jam week
  2. I understand that Global Game Jam Inc. is not responsible for any incidents, accidents or problems that may occur.
  3. I understand and agree the importance to the commitment of child safety.
  4. I agree to use the GGJ NEXT logo on online and printed literature when promoting the event.