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  • Game Testing

QA Tester

The position of QA (Quality Assurance) Tester is crucial in the game development process. Their primary responsibility is to thoroughly test the game, identifying and reporting any bugs, glitches, or issues that may arise during gameplay. QA Testers meticulously play through various parts of the game, executing different actions and scenarios to uncover potential problems. They follow predefined test cases and also engage in exploratory testing, attempting to “break” the game in creative ways to uncover hidden issues.

QA Testers closely collaborate with the development team, providing detailed reports on the encountered errors. They accurately document each issue, including steps to reproduce the error, the severity of the problem and any relevant screenshots or video recordings. Their feedback and findings help the development team improve the game’s performance, stability and overall user experience. QA Testers must have a keen eye for detail, patience and persistence to thoroughly test every aspect of the game, ensuring its quality and smooth gameplay before it reaches the hands of players.

Tools

JIRA

Bugzilla

TestRail

Git

Selenium

VirtualBox

Apache JMeter

Visual Studio Debugger

Slack

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER TEAMS:

A QA Tester closely collaborates with various other positions in the game development process. One of the key collaborations is with Programmers. A QA Tester works with Programmers to understand the design and functionality of the game, ensuring that intended features are correctly implemented. They provide valuable feedback on errors and issues, enabling Programmers to address them quickly. This collaboration involves regular communication, where a QA Tester reports errors, discusses testing strategies and contributes to improving the game’s quality.

A QA Tester also communicates with Game Designers to ensure that the gameplay experience aligns with the intended vision. They provide feedback on game mechanics, balance and overall user experience. By identifying areas where the game may not be successful or requires improvement, a QA Tester helps Game Designers refine their creations to provide more engaging and enjoyable experiences for players. Additionally, they collaborate closely with Artists and Audio Engineers to ensure that visual and auditory elements function correctly and meet the desired standards.

Skills

QA testers should have the following skills:

Hard skills

  • Testing software:
    • understands the principles, methodologies and best practices of software testing, is familiar with functional, regression and usability testing.
  • Technical expertise:
    • has knowledge of different operating systems, platforms and devices on which the game is played on, and basic programming knowledge.
  • Eye for detail:
    • Pažljivo ispituje svaki aspekt igre, identifikuje čak i najmanje greške, propuste ili nedoslednosti.

Soft skills

  • Communication:
    • clearly articulates and documents errors, issues and test results, ensuring that Programmers understand the problem and can take appropriate action.
  • Problem-solving:
    • has good problem-solving skills to analyze and understand the root causes of bugs, glitches or performance issues.
  • Quality assurance:
    • pays attention to details and is meticulous in their testing approach, provides valuable feedback, maintains focus and thoroughness.
If you're like me, you've probably heard all your life, "You're just playing these games, sitting at your computer and your phone and wasting your time, how are you going to make a living?" Fast forward, at the age of 25 I'm finally realizing my dream and starting a career in gaming, as a QA, no less. I just play those games, I sit at the computer and on the phone, but I don't spend time and, yes, I make a living from it. All kidding aside, this job, like any other, is sometimes not as easy as it seems to some. As QA, we are the last line of defense of the product and its quality, everything that we miss, the end users will certainly not. That's why we need a highly developed eye for detail, analytical skills, critical thinking and more. We must be able to put ourselves in the role of end users, to consider how they would feel while using our product, what would bother them, how they would interpret a certain thing, and finally, what would be their reaction to our entire product. I can proudly say that I am a person who loves what he does!
Nikola Nenić
Nikola NenićQA Tester, Playstudios

Seniority

Depending on seniority, a QA Tester is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Junior

  • Executes test cases according to predefined test plans, follows exact instructions, reproduces expected scenarios and diligently records test results.
  • Identifies errors, omissions or other issues during gameplay, effectively documents and reports problems, provides clear and concise information about errors.
  • Participates in team collaboration and communication, effectively communicates findings, provides and is open to feedback, actively contributes to discussions.
  • Has a strong willingness to learn and adapt to the changing dynamics of the gaming industry and testing practices, and seeks opportunities to improve their knowledge.

Medior

  • Contributes to test planning and strategy discussions, analyzes project requirements, identifies testing goals and collaborates with the team to define testing approaches.
  • Possesses skills in test automation, has experience with automation frameworks and tools, and can develop and execute automated test scripts.
  • Creates clear and concise testing documentation that effectively communicates testing progress, identified issues and their impact on the game.
  • Effectively communicates with others about testing requirements, provides feedback on design and functionality, aligns priorities and contributes to discussions.

Senior

  • Develops and implements effective testing strategies for complex projects, understands the game development process and industry standards well.
  • Possesses advanced skills in defect analysis and root cause investigation, conducts in-depth analysis of complex issues, identifies underlying causes of problems.
  • Manages testing environments and infrastructure, sets up and maintains various hardware configurations, operating systems and network settings.
  • Collaborates effectively, provides clear and concise testing status reports, highlights key metrics and risks, manages expectations and fosters strong relationships.
QA TESTER // GAME TESTING //
QA TESTER // GAME TESTING //

Education

If you are interested in a career in video game testing, formal education in software testing, quality assurance, or video game development may be beneficial. Consider enrolling in courses or educational programs that cover software testing methodologies, bug-tracking tools, and quality assurance practices. Understanding the fundamentals of game design, programming, and game art will give you valuable context and insight into the game development process. Look for programs that offer hands-on experience in software and game testing, as hands-on training is necessary to develop the critical skills needed for these roles.

In addition to formal education, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can be an excellent route to joining the industry. Participating in beta testing programs or contributing to independent projects can also provide you with relevant experience and help you build a portfolio. Networking with industry professionals, whether through online communities or industry events, can provide you with opportunities to learn from experienced testers and gain insight into industry expectations and requirements. Paying great attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a passion for gaming will be key factors in getting a position in this field.

Fakultet organizacionih nauka

Univerzitet u Beogradu

Elektrotehnički fakultet

Univerzitet u Beogradu

Elektrotehnički fakultet

Univerzitet u Nišu

Resources

Blogs

Books

  • “Game Testing: All in One” – Charles P. Schultz
  • “Software Testing Techniques” – Mark Fewster, Dorothy Graham
  • “The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses” – Jesse Schell
  • “Explore It!” – Elisabeth Hendrickson
  • “Agile Testing” – Lisa Crispin, Janet Gregory

Podcasts

Individuals

  • Alan Richardson (@eviltester)
  • Dan Ashby (@TheTestDoctor)
  • Lisa Crispin (@lisacrispin)
  • Janet Gregory (@janetgregoryca)
  • Maaret Pyhäjärvi (@techgirl1908)

How to prepare for the interview?

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QA TESTER // GAME TESTING //
QA TESTER // GAME TESTING //