6 Things You Require to Concentrate On Video Game Testing

Lately, the video game industry has shown unbelievable growth. From the information Global Data provides, the figures in 2020, the market was valued at $300 billion. In 2018, by comparison, this figure reached only $130 billion. Amidst such rapid market development, game developers seek to catch up with new games that emerge on the market and propose competitive products. Similarly, along with the industry development, users also became somewhat “picky” when it comes to selecting the game – they now require quality, catching plot, and the absence of bugs. 

Game Testing Techniques

The key thing in developing video games is bringing a gamer’s experience to a new level. That’s not the only goal to impress gamers – it’s important to show them a product without bugs. If it is done, the game is more likely to succeed.

Most games released with bugs are soon forgotten; thus, users simply switch from one game to another, continuously facing shortcomings that get the consumer’s experience down. This leads us to conclude that video games testing may be an important stage in the games’ development.

Probably it is the most crucial stage as it provides a detailed analysis and helps to understand if the application is prepared to be used or are there still some drawbacks to be fixed. Thus, if one is eager to achieve success, complicated and exciting games levels will not be enough to accomplish it. Video game tests are carried out with the aim to discover every single mistake, every bug, every error, and every weakness in a special video game, to be polished and repaired. Moreover, there is a component of emotion users obtain when playing a specific game. This part is also checked in the procedure of testing games.

Here we will take a closer look at the sorts of quality assurance of testing video games.

Functionality Testing

This is functional game testing that lets’s understand if the game flow resembles its specifications. That specifically refers to mechanical shortcomings, insufficient interface design, video and audio issues, issues with design, etc. That may be blockages, freezing, missed colors, not impeccable animation, and so on. These are all we can study during the video games testing.

Localization testing

Among other QA testing methods, this one aims to optimize the game flow, language, and tone, regardless of what language the game was released. That implies testers make sure that translated and localized chances of the game are as flawless and consistent as the original. Of course, the core is to deliver the quality of translation. To that end, the game is passed to native speakers testers to review it for cultural and terminology compliance. If the game is considered to be released in many languages, each of them must be tested by native speakers. Here they also review the compliance with manufacturers’ requirements, the ways of presenting dates, numbers, currency, local slang, etc.

Regression Testing

In fact, it is a repeated test for the game functions and flows. This solution for QA testing video games once again helps to enhance the game’s quality and assure that everything is okay. Once the developers resolve previously found issues, testers compare results with the results of the previous test. It helps to discover if fixing old errors caused new errors and bugs, as well as to ensure all old errors are resolved. It’s a kind of retest of the software that helps assess the end product’s usability.

Compatibility Testing

This testing method allows understanding if a certain game and its screen parameters fit different interfaces. The fact is that every device is different, and so the video may be shown in various ways. For example, graphic details may not fit the user’s screen, background apps may not accurately work, etc. So the game should comply with the hardware, software, and graphics configurations of the device it is installed on. To that end, testers open and review the game’s performance on various devices and browsers. This method incorporates checking if the text or images are visible for all users, the performance of the software, the quality of the app on various sizes of screens.

Load Testing

This type of testing helps to discover the application’s performance when several users use it at the same time. This helps to see if the game operates smoothly when employed by many users and at peak load. It also helps recognize how many users can play the video game simultaneously and whether the app can support even more users and loads. So it is all about the game’s performance when employed by many people at the same time.

Combinatorial Testing

This is a kind of general testing of the video game that allows exposing how many further tests should be conducted. This testing investigates all the games inputs and outputs thoroughly, allowing to obtain a picture of possible results of different combinations. It suggests testing all of the game parameters and their combinations that allow obtaining a comprehensive vision of all possible shortcomings.

Who is the ideal game tester? 

Many video games projects wonder how to test games before release?

The best solution to carry out high-quality and efficient video game validation is to make it through crowdsourced testing. The truth is that crowd testing is much more adequate rather than hiring individual testers. Or some organizations that are delivering such offshore outsourcing services, and we will list the reasons:

• Variety of languages. Testers from various parts of the world will provide thorough testing of the game in several languages. If the game is foreseen for players from different countries and cultures, then crowdsourced testing is important to consider in order to test the essential languages used.
• Variety of devices. Testers from all around the world use multiple different devices, which permits carrying out proper compatibility testing employing real devices that are popular in the target country.
• Crowdsourced testers are usually individuals functioning in different parts of the world and delivering remote game testing not bound with one company. Thus it makes them evaluate the game objectively, more realistic, and unbiased.
• Testers from various environments take interest in the game testing. That delivers better results and different opinions applying all the possible kinds of QA testing methodologies.
• Cost-efficiency. Crowdsourced testers will cost less than hiring an individual tester or an outsourcing company with an in-house team that delivers such services.
• Being a gamer. If a game tester enjoys online games, this will make the testing process much better. As it delivers the user experience side of being a gamer.

Why is Crowd Testing ideal to perform video game testing?

Now that we found out why video testing is so critical to be completed before the game’s release. It’s time to determine which way is better. Hire a company that carries out testing services with their in-house resources only? Use crowdsourced testers?

Suppose one wishes to follow all the mentioned methodologies and comply with all the differences and nuances of different countries, languages, cultural peculiarities, as well as the compliance with a combination of screens and devices. In that case, the solution is clear – crowdsourced testers are the best solution that covers all the stages, takes into account all the details, reacts fast, is more flexible, and to top it all, costs less. 

Conclusion

Along with the fast development of the video games industry and an increasing number of people playing video games. Their conditions have largely improved lately. With all the excitement of the plot and the picture’s brightness, users require smooth, uninterrupted game flow, adoption to distinct countries and language, cultural and emotional aspects, and, apart from all, a quality picture that serves every possible device and screen. Thus, games developers should conduct comprehensive and deep testing of their products before releasing them to the public. With no bugs and interruptions, positive user experience increases, which is the key to success, and higher revenues.

Also Read: Virtual Reality QA Testing: What To Test And Why?

For best-crowdsourced testing experience and results, feel free to contact the TestUnity team. Want to know more? At TestUnity, we strive for the highest quality in every project, and our professional QA specialists are ready to ensure it. Contact us if you’re looking for a dedicated team to enhance your product’s quality.

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Testunity is a SaaS-based technology platform driven by a vast community of testers & QAs spread around the world, powered by technology & testing experts to create the dedicated testing hub. Which is capable of providing almost all kind of testing services for almost all the platforms exists in software word.