The development of Empayar: The Melaka Chronicles has been a journey fueled by passion, creativity, and collaboration. One of the key milestones on this path was our Beta Testing phase, held in collaboration with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM). This testing was a crucial step that allowed us to polish and perfect the game before its official release.
Beta Testing is the stage where a nearly completed game is made available to a wider group of players for testing. This phase comes after Alpha Testing and focuses on gathering feedback on gameplay, user experience, and identifying any lingering bugs or issues. The goal is to fine-tune the game, ensuring it’s ready for launch.
Beta Testing at UTEM provided the perfect environment to involve the local community and gather feedback from students who are not only gamers but also knowledgeable about Melaka’s rich history.
We are truly inspired by your passion, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond to help us improve. Your contributions have not only strengthened our product but have also reaffirmed our belief in the power of community-driven innovation.
Choosing Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM) for our Beta Testing phase was no coincidence. As one of the leading technical universities in Malaysia, UTEM is home to students who are passionate about both technology and history. Their unique perspectives made them the ideal candidates to test a game like Empayar, which merges historical education with cutting-edge game mechanics.
UTEM’s proximity to the heart of Melaka also meant that many of the students had a personal connection to the historical narratives embedded in the game, giving us valuable insights into how well we represented the rich heritage of the Melaka Sultanate.
Highlights of the Beta Testing @ UTEM
- Historical Immersion
One of the key aspects we wanted to test was how well players engaged with the historical content of the game. Many UTEM students are familiar with Melaka’s history, so their feedback was invaluable in ensuring the accuracy and engagement of the historical elements. They provided insights into how the storylines and characters, such as warriors like Tun Perak, resonated with them.
2. Combat and Gameplay Mechanics
Combat is central to the Empayar experience, and the Beta Testing at UTEM gave us the opportunity to refine the mechanics further. The students put the game’s combat system through its paces, offering feedback on timing, weapon handling, and battle strategy. Whether they were wielding a keris or parrying attacks, their gameplay insights helped us fine-tune the balance between difficulty and enjoyment.
3.Bugs and Glitches
Beta Testing is all about identifying bugs and glitches, and the UTEM students were instrumental in this area. From minor animation issues to more serious gameplay disruptions, the feedback allowed us to make crucial fixes. One particular bug involved a character getting stuck in the environment after a jump, which was quickly identified and corrected thanks to the testers.
4.User Experience and Interface (UI)
The testers also provided valuable feedback on the game’s user interface. They helped us identify areas where the menu navigation and HUD (Heads-Up Display) could be streamlined. Their input allowed us to simplify certain elements of the UI, making the experience more user-friendly and accessible to new players.
The Community Response
The response from the UTEM community was overwhelmingly positive. The students were excited to see a game rooted in their own cultural history and were enthusiastic about contributing to its success. Many expressed their appreciation for the balance between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay, and they were eager to see how the game would evolve.
Their feedback also highlighted a sense of pride in seeing the Melaka Sultanate’s history represented in a modern, interactive format. This connection with the local history added a unique depth to the testing experience, making their feedback not just about gameplay, but also about cultural representation.
Key Improvements Post-Beta Testing
- Combat Tweaks: Adjustments were made to the timing and fluidity of attacks, improving the overall combat experience.
- UI Refinements: The menu navigation was simplified for easier access during gameplay, and HUD elements were adjusted to be more intuitive.
- Bug Fixes: Several glitches, including character freezing and animation lag, were addressed and resolved.
- Expanded Historical Content: Based on the feedback, we added more historical events and details to deepen the narrative experience.
