Task 2 - Game Test Defects

Defect	Explanation with Examples
Function Defect	Function Defect are errors that disturbs the gameplay and the result is a bad experience for the player. Errors of this nature are regularly the fault in the script/code for example, lines in the script are nonfunctional or an area of the code is missing in the script. Another example of identifying this issue is in the players experience. A player enters the next level of a game but the controls are different. The player presses the ‘D’ key which should result in the avatar moving right but it goes the opposite direction. This means the part of the code that assigns controls is either missing or broken. On PC players will commonly have the option to assign the controls themselves and fix this problem although it does affect the players experience. If console players experience this issue then it isn't solvable. These defects will cause minor issues as Ive described about controls although critical errors can occur and on the PC players may have a screen like the one below, in a circumstance where the PC will have to restart.
Assignment Defect	Assignment Defects are errors concerning values and data displayed on screen. Errors of this nature aren't troubling but annoying as it will give the player incorrect information further affecting their experience. For example, a player boots up their MMO game and their in-game currency is wrong they left the game previously with 0 gold but now they have 99999 gold. This can also occur when values are shown on screen for example, the amount of damage you are dealing to an enemy but its incorrect, the players weapon should deal 100 damage but it only deals 5. These defects shouldn't be major although for games like a MMO this could be a huge issues for players as they are given misinformation.
Checking Defect	Checking Defects are errors regarding complications in the code. For example, the player will experience passing through objects they couldn't like falling through the terrain. This is because the code cannot authenticate whether a line in the scripts code is correct. This defect occurs because there are similar conditions in the code like ‘>10’ and ‘>=10’ meaning it would overlap.
Timing Defect	Timing Defect are errors that affects the time ratio in a game. For example, this player will experience an event in a game where some action was supposed to happen like a quest saying, “meet at the town clock at midnight”. But this happens too early or too late. Another example is late damage to enemies, feedback sound like shouting a gun not reacting or delaying the sound. Specifically, online based games like MMO’s or FPS’s this defect will be severe as it will affect how balanced the gameplay is. This is due to players having bad connections to the server.
Build/Package/Merge Defect	Build/Package/Merge Defect are errors involving issues with new and old files as a game updates. For example, new version files of a game are unsuited to integrate with older files. These new updates are stated as ‘version 1.0’ or ‘version 2.5’ the greater the number means the better it is as they will have fewer defects and these updates should prevent any defects from occurring. This defect occurs when a game is updated with an older version resulting in graphics being incompatible for the games then resulting in the game crashing.
Algorithm Defect	Algorithm Defects are errors involving the code and how it operates the rules of the game. For example, a player engages in battle with an AI however it doesn't function properly and it attacks are not what it this AI should have and it kills the player instantly making this enemy too difficult which ruins the game and the players experience (no, the dark souls series does not have this problem it’s just very hard).
Documentation Defect	Documentation Defects are errors regarding the games dialogue or text. For example, the player is treated to a cinematic after completing a level and the player can see the character moving their lips but no sound is heard or even the subtitles don’t show. Another example is in a game like Skyrim (2011, Bethesda). In this game, a player can read books which have piles of lore for its series but if the text doesn't show on screen this could be a let-down for the player resulting in a bad experience. This defect occurs because the games assets (text, sound, dialogue) isn't properly embedded into the script/code.