Finding beta testers

[Total Eclipse]

How can we find people who would be interested in beta testing our next game? I'm talking about casual gamers who have already played a bunch of casual games and would like to participate in the beta testing process for free (of course, we can always thank them later with a free copy of the game, for example).

And suppose we find a bunch of excited people who are ready to test the game and give us feedback.

How many should they be so their opinion can be statistically accepted? (if you have 5 people and 3 of them like it and 2 don't) what are you to assume of the game? Because, beside hardware issues, it's of the outmost importance that these people help us fine-tune the gameplay.

How do we preserve game information from leaking to the public before it's time? Do we ask the beta testers to sign an NDA?

Thank you in advance.

[Black Hydra]

Can't help you with the beta testers but I can give you some advice on asking for feedback (after trying to squeeze the essence of a persons thoughts on my game out many times I've noticed a few things).

1) If they like the game, most likely they will try to list a bunch of additions you could do for it (note, not fixes, but additions). Even if they are usually bad, they are enthusiastic about the game. This is a good sign.

2) If someone says something very specific about the style is wrong, then usually that isn't the issue. If the person actually went out of their way to notice something specific that went wrong (i.e. "xxx doesn't look good or xxxx could be a bit larger) then usually this is just the most major point of a problematic iceberg. I have noticed many times that when I get responses like this I try to prod into the areas that surround the problem and often this leads to revelations that the true problems are of greater concern. Remember if somebody actually mentions it then it is a concious nuisance instead of some subconcious stumbling block.

3) Try to get live feedback. I find this infinitely more helpful than text. Simply because tone of voice and even player reactions when playing the game will tell you much more than what the person actually says. The way they go through the game and the way they use the controls. Also when recieving feedback you can get ideas on their enthusiasm and also note shifts in tone about specific areas.

[Total Eclipse]

Thank you Black Hydra.

If anyone else has something to propose for finding beta testers in the first place, please do so.