Game testing, also known as quality assurance (QA), is the process of playing a game to find and report bugs, errors, and other issues. It is an important part of the game development process, as it can help to ensure that the game is free of bugs and that it is enjoyable to play.
What game testing is?
Game testing is a broad term that encompasses a variety of activities, such as:
- Playing the game to find bugs: This is the most basic form of game testing services. Testers play the game from start to finish, looking for any issues that could affect gameplay.
- Testing specific features: Testers may also be asked to test specific features of the game, such as the multiplayer mode or the graphics engine.
- Testing on different platforms: Games are often released on multiple platforms, such as PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Testers may be asked to test the game on all of these platforms to ensure that it works properly on each one.
- Getting feedback from players: Testers may also be asked to get feedback from players. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or even just by talking to players about their experiences with the game.
Why is game testing important?
Game testing is important for a number of reasons:
- To ensure that the game is free of bugs: Bugs can ruin a game’s experience for players. They can cause the game to crash, they can make it difficult to play, or they can even make it impossible to complete. Game testing can help to find and fix these bugs before the game is released.
- To ensure that the game is enjoyable to play: Game testing can help to ensure that the game is fun to play. Testers can provide feedback on the game’s controls, graphics, gameplay, and overall feel. This feedback can help the developers to make the game more enjoyable for players.
- To meet the needs of players: Game testing can help to ensure that the game meets the needs of players. Testers can provide feedback on the game’s features, content, and difficulty. This feedback can help the developers to make the game more appealing to players.
Game testing is a critical part of the game development process. It is the process of playing a game to find and report bugs, errors, and other issues. Game testing can be done by the game developers themselves, or it can be outsourced to a third-party company.
There are many benefits to outsourcing game testing. Here are some of the most important benefits:
- Access to a wider pool of testers: When you outsource game testing, you have access to a much wider pool of testers than if you were to test your game in-house. This is because there are many game testing companies that have testers located all over the world. This means that you can get feedback from a variety of different people with different gaming experiences.
- Expertise in game testing: Game testing companies have a team of experts who are experienced in testing games. These experts know what to look for when testing games, and they have the skills and knowledge to find bugs and other issues. This can save you a lot of time and money, as you won’t have to spend time and money training your own employees to test games.
- Cost-effectiveness: Outsourcing game testing can be a cost-effective way to ensure the quality of your game. This is because game testing companies typically charge a flat rate for their services, which can be much lower than the cost of hiring and training your own employees to test games.
- Flexibility: Game testing companies are very flexible and can adapt to your needs. This means that they can work with you to create a testing plan that fits your budget and schedule. They can also provide you with regular updates on the progress of the testing, so you can be sure that your game is being tested thoroughly.
- Reduced risk: Outsourcing game testing can help to reduce the risk of releasing a buggy or defective game. This is because game testing companies have a lot of experience in finding and fixing bugs. They also have the resources to test your game on a variety of different platforms and devices, which can help to ensure that your game is compatible with a wide range of hardware.
If you are considering outsourcing game testing, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you need to find a reputable game testing company. There are many game testing companies out there, so it is important to do your research and find one that has a good reputation. Second, you need to create a testing plan. This plan should include the following:
- The types of bugs you are looking for;
- The platforms and devices you want your game to be tested on;
- The number of testers you need;
- The amount of time you need for testing.
Once you have found a reputable game testing company and created a testing plan, you can start the outsourcing process. The game testing company will then start testing your game and providing you with regular updates on the progress of the testing.
Outsourcing game testing can be a great way to ensure the quality of your game. It can save you time, money, and risk. If you are considering outsourcing game testing, I encourage you to do your research and find a reputable game testing company.
How to Outsourcing Game Testing?
Here are some tips on how to outsource game testing:
- Find a reputable game testing company. There are many game testing companies out there, so it is important to do your research and find one that has a good reputation. You can read reviews, ask for recommendations, and compare prices.
- Create a testing plan. This plan should include the following:
- The types of bugs you are looking for
- The platforms and devices you want your game to be tested on
- The number of testers you need
- The amount of time you need for testing
- Communicate with the testing company. It is important to communicate with the testing company regularly to keep track of the progress of the testing and to provide feedback. You should also be clear about your expectations and what you are looking for in the testing process.
Conclusion
Outsourcing game testing can be a great way to ensure the quality of your game. It can save you time, money, and risk. If you are considering outsourcing game testing, I encourage you to do your research and find a reputable game testing company.