How to Be Game Quality Assurance - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 24, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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Playing video games has become a staple activity for many people of all ages. Quality assurance plays an important role in maintaining the quality of these games by consistently testing and reviewing them to ensure they are up to standards. If quality assurance is not done properly, it can cause numerous issues, such as bugs, glitches, or poor performance, which will negatively impact the user experience.

Poorly tested games can also lead to decreased sales, as customers will not want to purchase a product that has not been properly tested and reviewed. Quality assurance is therefore essential for any successful game release, as it ensures that customers are getting the best quality product possible.

Steps How to Become

Research job postings to understand the type of experience and qualifications employers are looking for in a game quality assurance tester. Make sure you have the necessary experience and qualifications.
Earn a degree or certificate in computer science, programming, game development, or a related field. This will give you a better understanding of game development, coding, and testing that will be beneficial to game QA testing.
Consider taking a course in game QA testing. This will give you an advantage when applying for game QA jobs.
Get experience with game development and testing. You can do this by interning with a game development company or by volunteering to test games for free.
Create a portfolio of work that showcases your experience in game testing and development. Include screenshots and videos of your work if possible.
Apply for game QA jobs by submitting your resume and portfolio to relevant companies.
Demonstrate your knowledge of game QA during the interview process. Be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications in detail.
Once hired, get to know the processes and tools used by the team to ensure quality assurance of the games.
Work closely with the game developers to identify and resolve issues with the game.
Provide feedback and suggestions to the development team on how to improve the games quality assurance process.

The quality assurance of a game is essential to ensure a good user experience. To keep updated and competent in game quality assurance, it is important to stay informed of the latest industry trends and technologies. This can be done by regularly reading relevant publications, attending workshops and seminars, and keeping up with the latest news related to game development and testing.

having a strong knowledge-base of the game's source code and systems is essential for identifying and addressing any bugs or issues that arise. Finally, staying on top of the latest testing tools and techniques is essential for ensuring the quality of a game and providing the best possible user experience. By taking these steps, game quality assurance professionals can stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving gaming industry.

You may want to check Game Technical Support Manager, Game Manager, and Game Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

QA Tester: Responsible for testing software for bugs and other errors. Develops and executes software test plans and scripts to ensure that software functions as intended.
QA Analyst: Responsible for analyzing and verifying the quality of software products. Performs tests, inspects code, and makes recommendations for improvements to ensure software meets quality standards.
QA Engineer: Develops automated tests and tools to ensure software meets quality standards. Utilizes programming languages and frameworks to develop test plans, test cases, and test scripts.
QA Manager: Oversees the quality assurance process and ensures that products meet quality standards. Manages the QA team and provides guidance to ensure projects are completed on time and with high quality.
QA Lead: Coordinates with other teams to ensure software meets quality standards. Develops strategies to improve the overall quality of products and processes.
QA Automation Engineer: Designs and develops automated tests for software products. Writes automated scripts and performs manual tests to identify bugs and other issues.
QA Architect: Responsible for designing and implementing the overall quality assurance strategy for a project or organization. Develops testing processes, tools, and frameworks to ensure product quality.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of game development processes
Attention to detail
Familiarity with game console hardware and software
Ability to identify problems, evaluate solutions and make recommendations
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of programming languages and coding techniques
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
Knowledge of game testing techniques and tools

Quality assurance is a critical skill to have in the gaming industry. Ensuring that games are of the highest quality, bug-free and playable on all platforms is essential for a successful game launch. Quality assurance involves testing pre- and post-release to identify any issues, as well as providing feedback.

This feedback helps developers and publishers make the necessary changes to ensure their games are of the highest quality. Quality assurance also involves analyzing code and gameplay, as well as conducting user research to understand and incorporate user preferences. Quality assurance is a complex process, but it is essential for ensuring the success of a game.

Without it, a game could be filled with bugs, have poor performance, or not work correctly on certain platforms. Quality assurance is essential for the gaming industry and should not be overlooked.

Casual game Designer, Game Analyst, and Game Writer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in game quality assurance?
How familiar are you with the different platforms and consoles that games are released on?
How do you stay up to date with changes and new technologies in the game industry?
What methods do you use to identify and troubleshoot bugs in games?
What do you believe are the most important elements of a successful game?
How have you managed multiple projects in the past?
How do you handle difficult situations when it comes to testing games?
What processes do you use to ensure game quality before release?
What tools do you use to track progress and bugs when testing games?
How have you collaborated with others to develop effective testing strategies?

Common Tools in Industry

Bug Tracking Tool. A software application that helps developers and testers to manage and track reported bugs in software development. (eg: JIRA)
Performance Testing Tool. A software program used to test the performance, speed, and stability of a software application. (eg: LoadRunner)
Automation Testing Tool. A software application used to automate the execution of tests and compare actual outcomes with expected outcomes. (eg: Selenium)
Code Coverage Tool. A software program used to measure how much of the application code has been tested. (eg: Clover)
Test Management Tool. A software application used to manage and document the overall testing process. (eg: TestRail)
Static Analysis Tool. A software program used to analyze the source code of an application for any potential errors or bugs. (eg: Checkstyle)
Exploratory Testing Tool. A software application that helps testers to explore the application to identify any unexpected behaviors. (eg: TestStudio)
Usability Testing Tool. A software program used to evaluate the usability of a software application by measuring user satisfaction and engagement. (eg: UserZoom)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Quality Assurance Special Interest Group (QA SIG)
Association for Quality Assurance in Software Testing (AQAST)
Video Game Testers Association (VGTA)
International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
The Association for Software Testing (AST)
The Games Quality Assurance Network (GQAN)
International Test and Analysis Network (ITAN)
Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)

We also have Mobile game Developer, Game Facilitator, and Multiplayer game Developer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Regression Testing. A type of software testing that seeks to uncover any new bugs or defects in existing functionality caused by recent software changes.
Smoke Testing. A type of software testing to determine whether the most crucial functions or the critical components of a program work properly.
Beta Testing. A type of software testing performed by real users in a real environment to identify any bugs or performance issues.
Exploratory Testing. A type of software testing that is conducted with little or no prior knowledge of the software's inner workings.
Black-box Testing. A type of software testing that tests an application's functional requirements without looking at the code.
White-box Testing. A type of software testing that tests an application's internal code structure and logic.
Usability Testing. A type of software testing that focuses on how easy it is for users to interact with a given application.
Load Testing. A type of software testing that tests the application's performance under heavy loads, such as with many users or high data volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Quality Assurance in the gaming industry?

The purpose of Quality Assurance (QA) in the gaming industry is to ensure that games are developed to meet quality standards and are free from any bugs, technical issues or other glitches that may negatively affect the user experience.

What types of tests are used in Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance tests range from basic functionality testing, to more complex scenarios such as usability testing, compatibility testing, localization testing, and performance testing.

What is the role of a Quality Assurance Tester?

The role of a Quality Assurance Tester is to ensure that the game meets quality standards, by performing manual and automated tests, analyzing the results and reporting any issues found.

What is the average salary for a Quality Assurance Tester?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Tester in the United States is $51,945 per year.

What skills are required for a Quality Assurance Tester?

Skills required for a Quality Assurance Tester include problem-solving, attention to detail, communication, computer skills, documentation, and knowledge of game development processes.