Functionality Testing For PC & Console

Functionality testing services can be performed depending on your individual testing requirements. In this respect, functionality testing can be customised depending on your project objectives, test specifications and functional priorities. A test plan will be generated, comprising of unified standards as well as general criteria / definitions covered within video games testing, such as interface, installation testing, documentation, audio testing and regressions; however, additional categories or specifically customised test criteria can also be added.

Procedures described here are in no way the totality of Absolute Quality's testing process, but appear here to provide a basic understanding of the testing procedures that a product undergoes during the test cycle. Procedures can change or be changed due to time constraints, changes in the product during development or at client request.

	The basic functionality of a product is checked first to catch any major functionality issues or conflicts with the title's game design documents, if these are supplied. At this stage we generate a base criteria test plan and the title undergoes functionality testing pertinent to its
development stage.

When assigned to test the interface portion of the product, testers check to make sure that it is possible to click every available hot spot / button within the product, as well as thoroughly testing all paths through the interface. In testing the interface of the product, testers will also make sure that each menu option and wrapper screen is available and they are accessible to the user correctly and at the appropriate time.

When assigned to check the install and uninstall features of a product, testers check each possible installation and make sure that the specific install allows the player to play the product. Installing the product to the default and custom directory structures is also paramount. In addition the tester must uninstall each type of install. The installation process, in general, follows these steps: load install, user customisation, installation of main program, installation of peripheral programs, registration, read me file and un-installation.

Absolute Quality can check to ensure that any manual, read me file, help file and technical supplement includes the appropriate information and that this information appears correct grammatically, in a logically presented way.

Audio testing consists of checking the sound effects and music sequences for clarity and for completeness. This includes narration and speech, video and any other sound effects. During the testing phase of audio on PC platforms, all drivers are updated with the most current driver version of a particular sound card/chipset. All driver updates are provided and installed using the audio cards manufacturer instructions. The client at any time may request the project lead include information within the documented defect or within reporting, on the tested chipset, as well as driver name, version and date, etc.

Whenever a new version of a product arrives for test at Absolute Quality the Lead Tester prints out a copy of the bug list that includes all bugs submitted, accepted and validated up to the previous version. The Lead then divides the list into manageable groups to provide to members of the test team, so that they can begin regression tests. These are Fixed regressions and Open regressions. If our clients provide a list of Fixed bugs, then the regression test only includes those bugs whose status has changed from Open to Fixed. If our clients do not provide a Fixed list, then regression test includes all bugs with a status of Open.

The master checklist is a group of documents testers use to keep track of every test for the final Gold Master Candidate. When the Absolute Quality project lead signs off on a project, the master checklist must be completed, ensuring that every area of the product functions properly. The client may request to view a copy of the master checklist and all additional product specific checklists are created within the first week of test. The timeframe for the final completion or updating of the master checklist at the end of a project varies on a per project basis.

	Evaluation testing can be implemented during early test cycles and development. Evaluation testing provides an assessment of the quality of a product, as well as providing suggestions for changes at early development stage, surmising and providing constructive conclusions on the
overall quality and performance of the product being tested.

Criteria for evaluation testing includes functionality, usability, playability / re-playability, entertainment & fun factor, overall game design, interactivity, technology and quality. Through pre-defined checklists for evaluation testing, analysis can easily be made from evaluation reports as to where a title requires improvement beyond simple functionality issues. Providing evaluation testing within the developmental process and overall testing process encourages constructive feedback, in order to facilitate a video game product fulfilling its potential with regard to entertainment and overall quality. Through evaluation testing, AQ can help to make your products more playable, improving quality, usability and user experience.

Basic functionality is checked to catch out any major functionality issues or conflicts within a product's design document (where provided). At this stage we generate a base criteria test plan and the product undergoes functionality testing pertinent to the development stage. The test plan can be generated to include checks against one or more network requirements or industry standards, allowing us to identify potential standards issues at an early stage. If available, we would request at this stage a copy of the master text file for initial checks, as this helps to identify potential text issues.

When time is of the essence, you need reliable test results with a fast turnaround. At Absolute Quality we know that the longer some code problems are ignored, the more costly they can become to fix. Rather than spend time writing lengthy bugs, we will provide you with a clear and

concise independent report of how your game would perform if submitted at its current stage. We vet how your product fares against technical requirements, functionality issues or any areas you may deem as being problematic. We tailor reports depending on device variation, using our experience to prioritise areas that are inherently difficult to master. Whatever stage of the development cycle and whatever schedule and budget, talk to us to find out how we can help.

Absolute Quality can schedule testing at short notice and if you require double shifts, evening, weekend or testing on public holidays, this can be arranged. With AQ's express testing services we can work even more quickly, by allocating more tester resources or test hours over a shorter period, providing quicker overall test turnaround or focusing test priority on major issues only, while providing testing that is highly customised and adaptive. If and when crunch time becomes unavoidable, AQ's testing services are available at short notice to help, inline with your developmental requirements. Costs, availability and turnaround of intensive express testing depend on the scope and size of your project, the areas of testing, as well as the overall volume and duration of work associated.

Absolute Quality provides testing which focuses primarily on gameplay, user experience, game balancing, game flow and game mechanics. Testing services for gameplay and balancing depend specifically on the overall product scale, context and genre, as well as the areas of gameplay that a client requests feedback and testing be focused on.

Gameplay testing and balancing may stem from evaluation of game in comparison to game design documents, player feedback, behavioural play evaluation, gameplay conceptualisation, constructive design analysis and criticism, immersive qualities, player motivation, level balancing, narrative or procedural flow & balance, quality of design, etc.