The game-testing world is undoubtedly fascinating, but one should be aware that a game tester’s job is by no means easy.
Technology has reached such an advanced level that it brings significant changes in all domains and industries, including game testing. What players may not be so aware of is that considerable energy and time is put into assuring the quality of each game and that an entire ecosystem lies behind it. A game is designed to harmoniously merge the fun and interactivity factors and meet the usually-high expectations of the customers. But it is not an easy peasy lemon squeezy duty – games are prone to all kinds of bugs and flaws. That’s where a game tester comes into place. Their purpose is to enhance the performance and stability of a video game for the best playing experience.
Trends of the likes discussed below might be the answer to an immersive experience during testing, as well as error-free, entertaining video games.
Quality assurance (QA) role in game testing
Ensuring a particular game’s quality has become a top priority for most game manufacturers aiming to meet customer needs and expectations. So, QA testers use various types of game testing, including functionality testing, compatibility testing, combinatorial testing, and Ad-hoc testing, to assure no defect or bug impacts the final product. When there are flaws, professional game testers will fix them by introducing the corresponding code. Functionality, user experience, entertainment, and performance are all criteria followed by QA testers whose primary purpose is to deliver a polished product worth playing – and buying.
A game tester’s job is not only about playing games before their public release, as some might jump to assume, but much more. It’s about examining the hundreds of peculiarities of a game, identifying bugs and glitches, and using computer code to solve them. More often than not, this requires hours of work and concentration; that’s why gaming companies are advised to provide the best work conditions. People working in front of a computer can get injured, too, and some of the most common issues include headaches, shoulder, arm, and neck injuries, and eyestrain. According to https://www.accidentatworkclaimcare.org.uk, someone developing a health condition as a result of their employer’s negligence can claim compensation for the damage.
Some of the most fruitful practices and trends
Different games or defects call for different testing strategies, so a game tester might find themselves using one of these methods in their quest to ensure a top-notch final product:
Multiplayer performance
One of the crucial aspects game testers should be mindful of when performing their job is the multiplayer performance. Given that there’s a considerable number of games designed to be played by multiple users simultaneously, one must carefully consider aspects like smooth in-game communication in assessing the quality of an application. So, depending on the number of players that can be present in a game, a tester should ensure the right loading speed of the game so that it’s unlikely to affect the players’ interacting experience.
Perfect functionality
Functionality is one of the most important concerns as regards video games. Developers’ main purpose is, as previously stated, to create a flawless application, but this isn’t always possible. After all, it’s about running software, so bugs and errors might occur. Fortunately, the actual creation of a game isn’t the only phase in its development – testing plays a critical role, too. Professional testers will take care of aspects such as game freezing, progression blocks, system crashing, and graphics and audio-visual issues – quite common in impeding functionality. Well, looking at the entire map of the application ensures no such bugs go unnoticed. Surely, a game can still be released on the market even if ignoring some of these problems, but reputable manufacturers will never take this route. After all, faultless functionality is the one thing that makes the difference between a run-of-the-mill game and a first-rate one.
User Interface (UI) testing
A video game UI is the section of an application that makes it possible for players to interact with the game, i.e., finding relevant information, navigating the game’s environment, and accomplishing goals. Among the many UI components of a game, we count level maps, coin counters, and life bars. Simply put, one couldn’t perform an in-game task without a user interface that allows them to opt for either an action on a Heads-Up Display (HUD) or a direct input.
Designing the UI of a game requires an eye for detail and close attention to aspects such as the manner a program is used, shapes, and colours. The primary purpose of UI is to ensure a great understanding of the menus, buttons, and free choice regarding the gamer’s moves and actions. So, even the colour should be selected having in mind the colour psychology and its impact on users. Plus, the user should navigate it as easily and quickly as possible, so there’s no need for a lot of requirements but user-friendly aspects. Remember that navigation in the game should be instinctive but still keep the players’ interest and give them various experiences.
Designing and executing test cases
Game testers should develop positive and negative test cases to identify as many bugs and defects as possible. Some of the techniques used in this sense are traditional black-box, exception path testing, and critical path testing. Aspects to be taken into account involve security, graphics performance, usability, and social media integrations. One thing a tester should particularly be mindful of is creating the test cases in the determined environment and using various hardware and software configurations in order to reveal more flaws.
Being a game tester is undoubtedly an exciting – and rewarding – experience but also stressful. Looking for bugs and errors takes considerable time, so if you’re one of those dreaming of becoming a game tester, you should also be aware of the downsides. Fortunately, technology can be your friend, as well as the many strategies and trends out there. The above-mentioned are just some of the most fruitful.