MeMic Review: A Unique Stealth Experience with a Twist
February 5, 2025
Game Development & Testing
Game development is an art, a science, and—when done right—a meticulously tested product. Yet, in today’s gaming landscape, quality assurance (QA) and testing often seem like an afterthought. From game-breaking bugs to unplayable launches, we’ve seen major titles crumble due to poor testing, leaving players frustrated and developers scrambling to patch their games post-launch.
So, what does good game testing look like? How do studios ensure that their game is polished before it reaches the players? Let’s break down the essential role of Quality Assurance in Game Development and why skipping this step is a disaster waiting to happen.
What Is Game Quality Assurance?
Game Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of testing a game to identify and fix bugs, performance issues, and gameplay inconsistencies before release. It’s different from general software testing because video games have complex mechanics, physics, AI behaviors, and player interactions that must work smoothly across various platforms.
Unlike traditional software testing, where a single failed function might be a minor inconvenience, a single major bug in a game can make an entire experience unplayable.
How to Perform Game QA Testing Yourself
If you’re an indie developer or working on a game project, here’s how you can implement effective QA testing on your own:
1. Manual Playtesting
- Play your game as a user would, trying different mechanics, movements, and interactions.
- Test with different control schemes (keyboard/mouse, controllers, touchscreens).
- Look for unexpected behaviors like animation glitches, unintended physics, or missing assets.
2. Bug Logging & Tracking
- Use a tool like JIRA, Trello, or MantisBT to track bugs.
- Record how to reproduce the bug, what happens, and the expected outcome.
- Prioritize bugs by severity: Game-breaking > Major > Minor > Cosmetic.
3. Automated Testing
- Implement unit tests for core game logic.
- Use tools like Selenium, Unity Test Framework, or Unreal Engine’s Automation System to automate repetitive tasks.
- Test AI pathfinding, procedural generation, and physics using scripts.
4. Performance & Stress Testing
- Monitor CPU, GPU, and memory usage to detect bottlenecks.
- Simulate high player loads and check for crashes.
- Test frame rates on different settings and hardware configurations.
5. Platform & Compatibility Testing
- If releasing on multiple platforms, ensure the game runs smoothly across all (PC, console, mobile).
- Test various resolutions, refresh rates, and control methods to detect UI scaling or performance issues.
6. Regression Testing
- Every time you fix a bug, test older features to ensure new fixes haven’t introduced new problems.
- Keep a stable version of your game to compare against when debugging.
7. User Playtesting
- Get fresh eyes on your game! Let friends, beta testers, or community members test without prior knowledge of how it’s supposed to work.
- Observe their behavior and gather feedback on UX/UI, controls, and overall enjoyment.
These steps help ensure that your game functions properly across different scenarios, reducing the chance of launching with game-breaking issues.
Key Areas of Game QA Testing
- Functionality Testing – Ensures the core mechanics (movement, interactions, combat, AI) work as intended.
- Performance Testing – Identifies framerate drops, crashes, or lag issues.
- Compatibility Testing – Ensures the game runs smoothly across different hardware (PC, consoles, mobile).
- Regression Testing – Checks that fixing one bug doesn’t introduce new ones (a major issue in game development).
- Usability Testing – Examines the player experience to make sure controls, UI, and mechanics feel intuitive.
- Security Testing – Prevents exploits, cheating, and hacking vulnerabilities.
Why Poor QA Leads to Disaster
1. The Fallout 76 & Cyberpunk 2077 Launch Disasters
These games serve as prime examples of how bad QA can destroy a game’s reputation.
- Fallout 76 launched with game-breaking bugs, server issues, and missing content, forcing Bethesda to push numerous patches and damage control.
- Cyberpunk 2077, one of the most anticipated games in history, was riddled with performance issues on last-gen consoles, leading to refunds and Sony removing it from the PlayStation Store for months.
Both games suffered from QA oversight and rushed development, proving that cutting corners on testing leads to massive long-term damage.
2. No Man’s Sky: A Case of Redemption
No Man’s Sky launched in an unfinished, untested state, missing key features promised at launch. However, Hello Games committed to continuous updates and improvements, proving that good QA (even if delayed) can turn a disaster into a success story.
How Developers Can Improve QA & Testing
✅ 1. Start QA Early – Testing should begin from the first playable version, not as an afterthought before launch.
✅ 2. Use Automation & AI Testing – Automating repetitive testing tasks saves time and helps find issues faster.
✅ 3. Have Dedicated Playtesters – Relying solely on in-house testing can create bias; outside testers bring fresh perspectives.
✅ 4. Prioritize Performance Optimization – Ensure the game runs at a stable 60 FPS (or at least 30 FPS on consoles) before release.
✅ 5. Listen to Beta Testers – Early access feedback should be acted upon, not just collected.
✅ 6. Test on All Platforms – A game might work perfectly on PC but be unplayable on consoles without proper multi-platform testing.
✅ 7. Don’t Rush Development – Rushed deadlines lead to poor testing, unpolished mechanics, and eventual disaster.
Conclusion: QA Is the Difference Between Success and Failure
A well-tested game can become a timeless masterpiece (The Witcher 3, Elden Ring), while a poorly tested game can become a cautionary tale (Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield 2042). Investing in game quality assurance isn’t just an optional step—it’s a necessity.
The best games don’t just play well; they feel polished. And that polish comes from rigorous testing, attention to detail, and respect for the players who will experience the final product.
What’s the worst game-breaking bug you’ve ever encountered? Drop a comment and let’s discuss!
Keep learning!
- Pers
I’m Persevus, the creator behind Mana and the voice of The Last Stand Society. Mana is more than just a website—it’s a gathering place for those who live and breathe gaming, storytelling, and creativity.
My journey started as a Twitch streamer, diving deep into survival games and sharing my adventures live. Over time, my path led me to YouTube, where I’ve found a new home for my passion. Now, I create videos and stream content around survival games, indie gems, game development, and so much more.
Mana is where I share those passions with you. Here, you’ll find insights into the worlds I explore, tips and tricks for thriving in the toughest virtual landscapes, and even behind-the-scenes looks at game creation.
And don’t forget—Mana is part of The Last Stand Society, a community of like-minded adventurers ready to face every challenge together. Whether you’re here for the content, the camaraderie, or the gear, you’re part of the society now.
So, pull up a chair by the campfire, and let’s dive into the adventure.
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