How testing works
Every game on Poki goes through the same five steps. Each one gives you real player data to improve with before you move on. Here's the whole journey at a glance.
The five steps
1. Add your game
Get access to Poki for Developers and upload your build or prototype. You can start at any stage of development.
Each uploaded version passes a content moderation check before it can be tested.
2. Playtesting
Get gameplay videos from real Poki players. Each playtest returns 10 recordings, and you can run as many as you like, at any stage.
Player fit tests unlock once you've watched 10 recordings, and first results often arrive within minutes.
3. Player fit test
500 players try your game and we measure how long they play, this step measures playtime only; conversion to play (C2P) isn’t measured until the web fit test. Use it to iterate until playtime looks healthy. At this stage you’d need to upload a thumbnail for your game.
Healthy result: 3+ minutes average playtime, with 25%+ of plays over 3 minutes · Requires a thumbnail · ~5 hours per test · Up to 2 tests per day.
4. Web fit test
Your game appears on real category pages, just like a released game. We measure click-through rate, time on page, and conversion to play against category averages.
Takes roughly 7 days (sometimes longer when it's busy) and is repeatable.
5. Final review
The Poki team reviews your results and the game itself: quality, originality, and fit within our categories.
Decision within 1 to 2 weeks. If your game is green-lit, the road from agreement to global release takes roughly 2 to 3 months.
What to aim for
The thresholds above are the minimum to move forward. Games that do well on Poki usually clear a higher bar. Before you request a review, we recommend aiming for (conversion to play is measured in the web fit test):
- 65%+ conversion to play
- 5+ min average playtime (10+ for management and simulation games)
For context: the average game on Poki reaches around 70% conversion and 6+ minutes of playtime. Treat these numbers as a floor, not a finish line.
How long does it all take?
Playtests return within hours. A player fit test takes around 5 hours. A web fit test runs for approximately 7 days, and the final review takes 1 to 2 weeks.
What if a test doesn't go well?
Then you iterate. Every test is repeatable, they're free, and the metrics tell you exactly where to look. See interpreting your test results for what the signals mean and the playbook per metric.