Playtest Lab: Balancing Levels and Scores

Build scatter plots and interpret patterns in game-testing data.

Difficulty and Scores

A video game studio compares level difficulty with average playtest score. Use the scatter plot for questions 1–5. Each score unit represents 100 points.

What average score, in points, was recorded for the level with difficulty rating 5? points

Which description best matches the overall pattern?

A. Scores show no clear pattern as difficulty increases.B. Scores generally rise as difficulty increases.C. Scores stay nearly constant as difficulty increases.D. Scores generally fall as difficulty increases.

Which plotted pair is the clearest outlier? Pairs are written as (difficulty rating, score in hundreds).

A. (8, 9)B. (2, 8)C. (8, 2)D. (4, 6)

Which region contains a cluster of four points?

A. Difficulty ratings 5–6 and scores of 400–500 points.B. Difficulty ratings 7–8 and scores of 200–300 points.C. Difficulty ratings 2–3 and scores of 800–900 points.D. Difficulty ratings 7–8 and scores of 800–900 points.

The studio wants to investigate unusually high scores on difficult levels. Which result should it check first?

A. The difficulty-8 level with an average score of 900 points.B. The difficulty-6 level with an average score of 400 points.C. The difficulty-3 level with an average score of 800 points.D. The difficulty-8 level with an average score of 200 points.

Plot the Bonus Test

In a separate test, the studio records bonus tokens collected and final score. Use tokens on the horizontal axis and score in hundreds on the vertical axis.

Make a scatter plot of all six paired results. Do not connect the points.

Bonus Test Results
Tokens collected	Score (hundreds)
1	2
2	4
4	5
5	7
7	8
8	10

Which description best fits the bonus-test scatter plot you made?

A. It has a negative, approximately linear association.B. It has a positive, approximately linear association.C. It has no clear association between the variables.D. It has a positive, clearly curved association.

A new player collects 6 tokens and earns 800 points. Add this result using the same axes as question 6.

Write the coordinates: (, ).

Dev plots the result for 2 tokens and 400 points at (4, 2). The axes are labeled as in question 6. What correction is needed?

A. Keep the point at (4, 2) because either order works.B. Move the point to (2, 2) to use equal coordinates.C. Move the point to (2, 4) to put tokens first.D. Move the point to (4, 4) to match the score units.

Look Beyond a Straight Line

The studio also tests a practice mode. Each point shows a player's completed practice rounds and final score. Use this plot for questions 10–12.

10.

Which description best fits the practice-mode pattern?

A. Scores decrease in an approximately straight-line pattern.B. Scores increase in a curved pattern that levels off.C. Scores increase in an approximately straight-line pattern.D. Scores vary without a clear increasing or decreasing pattern.

11.

How many plotted players completed at least 5 practice rounds and scored at least 800 points? players

12.

The studio is reviewing whether scores keep rising steadily in later practice rounds. Which statement is supported by the plot?

A. Scores fall below 800 points after 6 practice rounds.B. Scores rise by 100 points for every round from 5 through 9.C. Scores rise more sharply after 7 rounds than before 3 rounds.D. Scores stay within 800–900 points from 5 through 9 rounds.

13.

Return to the difficulty-and-score plot in the first section. Lena says, “The point (8, 9) means there cannot be a negative association.” Explain why her conclusion is incorrect. Refer to the overall pattern and the unusual point.