What to include in a player recruitment brief

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You don’t need a finished specification to start a recruitment conversation.

An outline of the audience, research format and likely dates gives us something useful to discuss. From there, we can identify the requirements that will shape feasibility, cost and timing.

These are the details worth including when you have them.

Who you need to hear from

• Describe the audience and the experiences that matter to the research. This might include particular games, genres, platforms or patterns of play.
• Explain which requirements are essential and which are preferences. If the distinction is still being discussed, flag it. Understanding where there is flexibility helps us give more useful advice.
• Include the participant numbers and any quotas, along with restrictions on previous research participation.

What taking part involves

• Outline the research format and the full commitment expected of participants.
• Is it an interview, focus group, playtest or longer study? Will participants attend one session or several? Is there preparation, a download or an activity to complete between sessions?
• For remote research, include equipment, software and connection requirements. For in-person research, share the venue or likely location.
• These details affect who can realistically take part.

When you need people

• Include the proposed fieldwork dates, session times and time zones, plus any flexibility.
• It also helps to know when the screener will be ready and how quickly your team can review proposed participants. Recruitment depends on those decisions as well as finding suitable applicants.
• If the schedule is provisional, say so. We can discuss the implications without treating it as fixed.

How selection will work

• Let us know whether you already have a screener and what information your team needs to review.
• We should also agree on any validation or supporting evidence requirements, who makes the final selection and how participant information will be shared.
• If you’re unsure what is appropriate, we can recommend an approach.

What support you need

• Tell us which participant arrangements you would like us to manage, such as scheduling, confirmations, preparation, reserves or incentive payments.
• Include any proposed incentive and budget parameters. Where these are undecided, we can work through them alongside the study’s requirements.
• A useful brief makes the essentials clear and identifies what still needs deciding. It doesn’t need to anticipate every question.

Have an outline or a brief ready? Get in touch and we’ll work through the recruitment requirements with you.