This article aims to describe the general information about “How to get into QA game testing?”, the necessary skills, and common approaches. Among the contemporarily emerging needs in the sphere of actively developing the gaming market, quality assurance (QA) game testing performs a significant role.
Due to the current trends of creating games that provide gamers with a smooth and entertaining premium experience free of bugs, the role of a QA game tester is incredibly significant. If you want to work as a game tester on QA of computer games and are detail oriented then the QA game testing department may suit you best.
Before diving into the question: “How to get into QA game testing?”, it is important to understand QA game testing which refers to the detection of the game’s compliance with the required quality standards and criteria that affect game functionality, speed, and operability. This is because testers assist in finding bugs, glitches, and other features that may affect gameplay. The team works on checking different stages of the game image, sound, control, playback features, user interfaces, and other parameters that provide the end consumer with entertaining and pleasant gameplay.
Testing in game development is a rather complex process, which includes numerous methods and techniques aimed at detecting and eliminating all possible problems before they appear in the hands of the final consumer. Starting from functional testing to performance testing, the role of QA testers is very critical in identifying whether every facet of a game is up to the mark or not.
One of the major components of game QA is playtesting, during which the testers play the game and try to get as much as possible out of it to find the issues such as bugs or glitches in the game or some inconsistencies in the gameplay. This process entails not only the sharpness of eyes but also the ability to think outside the box and look at the game from different players’ angles.
Another crucial aspect of game QA is performance testing where the emphasis is on the frame rate, loading time, game stability and other aspects of various hardware configurations. QA testers should be fully conversant with certain tools and methods to assess and evaluate the game performance and make sure that it is delivering quality game-playing experience to the player regardless of the platform being used.
Compatibility testing has become important because more and more people are playing games across multiple platforms. QA testers are required to check that the interface and the overall functionality of games work smoothly, regardless of the user’s device, operating system or hardware, including high-end PCs, tablets, and consoles.
Because games are becoming more elaborate and offer more content, the QA testers also need to pay attention to the usability and the user experience. This entails assessing the layout of the game, the buttons, and all other aspects that determine the usability of the game and its ability to attract players.
Thus, by constantly honing their skills in various types of testing and being aware of contemporary industry developments, QA testers and developers can help build unique and excellent games.
Good practices used in QA game testing may cover different approaches within the process to guarantee efficient testing and here are some key aspects to consider:
Test Planning and Execution When it comes to the QA game testing, the construction of the test plan becomes very important. As for the testers, they need to determine the targets of the testing, describe the tests, determine the key areas and priorities in testing and finally, draw up a testing plan. During execution, the testers should be very structured and should log details of the work done together with following the testing procedure.
Functional Testing Functional testing is a way to confirm that a game’s various components and sub-processes meet the requirements. Some of the recommendations for the testers include the fact that they should test on different game modes, levels and different scenarios of play.
Non-Functional Testing Non-functional testing comprises the test of game performance about compatibility, usability and security issues. Load times, framerate, resource usage, and compatibility across platforms and between devices should all be measures evaluated by the testers.
Regression Testing Regression testing is the testing that is done again on some previously tested features or functionalities to test newly added or modified changes. This is especially so in a game production where updates and patches are a common thing amongst the game and its host.
Automation and Tools Although manual testing is required, other methods and tools such as automation scripts will improve the test execution process. To write an efficient script for the application, testers must find out and incorporate different automation tools and automation frameworks. WeTest is one of the best companies that offer full-service software QA testing for the gaming sector. They are professionals and they offer the best services of testing for your games with the modern automation testing procedures.
To conclude, to answer the question "how to get into qa game testing", QA game testing is of vital importance in game development since it ensures that the end-user has a good time while playing the game. A game tester with the right mindset and skills in QA game testing when following the detailed guidelines of game testing can make great games that players around the globe enjoy.