Mannequin
Led multiple user tests and large-scale surveys to improve Mannequin, an asymmetric multiplayer VR game focused on social deduction, stealth, and action.
1. Project Overview
Brief introduction: Led multiple user tests and large-scale surveys to improve Mannequin, an asymmetric multiplayer VR game focused on social deduction, stealth, and action.
My role: Led multiple rounds of UX testing and surveys, gathering player feedback to refine game balance, onboarding, and long-term engagement.
Held the first closed and open beta tests at the company, handling around 200 testers who needed to sign NDAs and get access to the game.
Key objective: Improve first-time player experience, team fairness, and engagement longevity while keeping the game’s unique suspenseful mechanics intact.
2. My Role & Responsibilities
Playtest Coordination & Execution: Organized live multiplayer tests and large-scale player surveys.
Alpha/Beta test setup: Created a plan for the company's first large scale closed testing, identifying risks and provided guidance to all teams involved. Handled playtest signup, Discord community, NDA, access, and feedback.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Translated qualitative and quantitative feedback into actionable design improvements. Assessed team fairness, objective clarity, and long-term player retention factors based on player insights.
3. Research Process
Step 1: First-Time Player Experience
Goal: Ensure new players understand objectives, movement, and team roles quickly.
Findings:
Win conditions unclear—many players didn't know how to secure victory.
Power Station objectives were confusing, with some believing they needed all three to win.
EMF scanner and gun swap felt slow, leading to combat frustrations.
Step 2: Team Balance & Fairness
Goal: Ensure that both teams feel equally competitive and enjoyable.
Findings:
Mannequins had a slight advantage due to stealth mechanics and faster movement.
Agents felt too vulnerable, especially with slow weapon switching.
Reviving teammates was underused, as players often forgot or didn’t understand the mechanic.
Step 3: Long-Term Engagement & Progression
Goal: Improve player retention and motivation through rewards and new content.
Findings:
Customization and progression were highly requested, with players wanting unlockable abilities.
New game modes like “Hide and Seek” and “Infection” were frequently suggested.
Lobby social features were a strong engagement factor, with players spending extended time in non-gameplay activities.
4. Outcomes & Impact
Improved Gameplay Clarity: Suggested UI updates, clearer prompts, and better onboarding tutorials.
Balance Adjustments: Recommended faster agent movement, weapon swap improvements, and clearer objective tracking.
New Features: Advised on player wishes such as more customization, unlockable abilities, and social lobby interactions.
"Amanda has been an amazing resource in all stages of the release of Mannequin.
She first helped us organize and collect crucial feedback from early playtests, and later ensured that all our updates were released on time.
Her dedication, UX testing, playtesting, and feedback gathering have played a vital role in shaping Mannequin into the great game it is today.
Amanda has been a fantastic colleague, and I truly appreciate everything she’s done!"
‒ James Hunt, Game Director
5. Key Learnings
Onboarding must be intuitive: New players struggle with unclear objectives.
Fairness perception impacts retention: Even if the game is balanced, players must feel competitive.
Social engagement drives replayability: Community interaction is just as important as core gameplay.
Enthusiastic players can scew your polls: Keep in mind that testing with a community tend to give a more positive result.