Fix KQVI puzzle dependency chart QA issues: remove S17 undefined node, S19/S20 dead ends, add Pearl note

src/design-process/playtesting-methodology.md

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+# Playtesting Methodology
+
+## Why Adventure Games Need More Testing Than Any Other Genre
+
+Jimmy Maher wrote: "Testing is vital to any other form of game, but with adventures it can mean *everything*. A terrible adventure can become a great one following just a few weeks of testing."
+
+---
+
+## Why Testing Matters More for Adventure Games
+
+Unlike action games where skill is the primary challenge, adventure games challenge **understanding**. When players get stuck, it's often because:
+
+- They didn't understand a clue
+- They missed an item
+- They formed an incorrect mental model
+- The solution violated their expectations
+
+Only playtesting reveals these gaps.
+
+---
+
+## Types of Playtests
+
+### Blind Playtest
+
+New players experience the game with no guidance.
+
+**What it reveals:** Where players naturally get stuck, what confuses them, what they try that doesn't work.
+
+### Focused Testing
+
+Testers target specific puzzles or sections.
+
+**What it reveals:** Whether specific puzzles work as intended.
+
+### Stress Testing
+
+Rapid, aggressive play — testers try to break the game.
+
+**What it reveals:** Edge cases, dead ends, sequence breaks.
+
+---
+
+## Identifying Stuck States
+
+### The "Dead Air" Signal
+
+When a player stops interacting for more than 10-15 seconds, they're likely stuck.
+
+**Design response:** This is where hint systems should trigger (see Hint System Design chapter).
+
+### The Wandering Signal
+
+When players repeatedly visit the same rooms without purpose, they lack direction.
+
+**Design response:** Sub-goals may be unclear.
+
+### The Frustration Signal
+
+When players express annoyance or start trying random actions, they've lost confidence.
+
+**Design response:** Failure feedback may be unclear or misleading.
+
+---
+
+## Iteration Patterns
+
+| Problem | Response |
+|---------|----------|
+| Players stuck on puzzle X | Add a hint, or add alternative path |
+| Players missing item Y | Add visual/audio cue, or move item |
+| Players forming wrong model | Add clarifying NPC dialogue |
+| Players bored | Remove padding, add stakes |
+
+---
+
+## Community Testing
+
+Modern indie developers use:
+- itch.io beta testers
+- Discord communities
+- Game jam feedback
+- Let's Play analysis
+
+Watch where players get stuck in videos. Where do they pause? Where do they ask questions?
+
+---
+
+## Source Material
+
+- [14 Deadly Sins](resources/criticism/14-deadly-sins-graphic-adventure-design-filfre.md) — "Testing is everything" quote
+- [Flaws of Point & Click Adventures](resources/criticism/flaws-undead-genre-point-click-adventures.md)
+
+---
+
+## Placeholder: Playtesting Protocol Template
+
+**To be written:** A downloadable/playable template for conducting adventure game playtests, including:
+- Observer checklist
+- Tester questionnaire
+- Stuck state identification guide
+- Iteration prioritization matrix