Task 4 - Game Test Phases

Phase
Explanation
Number of Testing Phases and Pictures
Preparation
Preparation phase is the stage when developers plan on a test suite. A test suite is a group of AQ tester who will determine what tests should take place for example, a tester presses the “d” key to move left and the character in game moves right. This means the script/code isn't right and controls of the game will have its own test case.  AQ tester will constantly insisted on testing the controls throughout all testing stages for any more issues always reverting to its test case and documenting any improvements. These types of test will be documented and ready for the certain game with specific test issued to it before moving on to the next stage of testing Alpha.
1
Alpha
Alpha phase is the stage of video game production when a rough draft of the game is created, resulting in the early game being buggy. Numerous of heavily detailed tests an insisted by QA testers. A test suite is an assembly of different test specific towards the certain game type. AQ tester will be given a briefing of the area in which they should test. For example, testing the reaction between player and NPC’s or Shooting a gun in a FPS and testing if the script/code will correctly activate the guns feedback sound. With the help from the preparation phase an Alpha is designed to test defects in the game. At this point in the game the graphics, text and other features in a video game may be placeholders, and if there is a problem then AQ tester will find this defect and communicate with the programmer to fix this before the next phase of prep.  
2
Beta
Beta phase is a further advancement of the Alpha Stage although all assets have been inserted to the game. Developers can take two directions with this phase, the closed beta or open beta. First a closed beta is when developers create a private server and invites will be issued to small group of the community to test the game for themselves before launch. The community can also request to be in this private server. The advantage to this path is that with fewer users giving feedback it will be more critical than an open beta with thousands who may not respond with answers that could be offensive and not relative to the game(meme’s). Although having a larger community using an open beta may be more effective in find bugs and other issues. For example, Bungie has decided to take their popular title Destiny’s (2014, Bungie, Activision) sequel Destiny 2(2017, Bungie, Activision) will also be translating to PC, in august 28th Bungie released an open beta for PC players. Many problems elevated in the PC beta for example, enabling HDR would result in the monitor freezing or having a bluescreen issue as well as players having trouble with invitations to play with each other. To conclude, I think the direction bungie has taken to insisted an open beta for the PC platform before release will benefit them as destiny was originally a console game and integrating a game from console to PC can have numerous issues.  
3
Gold
Gold phase or otherwise known as the “Quality Assurance Testing” is the last phase of testing before launch. At this point deadlines and requirements have been met and developers and publisher have agreed on the last terms. Although AQ tester will be given a final assignment and that’s too literally try to break the game so if there are any major problems then a contingency plan can be made. It is lastly given the name of “Release Candidate” and if standards are met and the game is finished it is then given the title of “Gold Master” meaning its ready for distribution. To conclude, sometimes games accidentally pass this stage but still have issues perhaps because of time issues or other problems. For example, Ubisoft released Assassins Creed Unity (2014, Ubisoft) a game of their most popular series. Many players were angered to find a frightening bug and other bizarre issues with the game like a character’s face disappearing or NPC’S reverting into the triangular stance. Once fixed Ubisoft apologized to all the players.
4
Certification
Certification phase is a stage when publishers for example, Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo will check that the GMC (Gold Master Candidate) code meets the requirements for distribution. This also means approval from companies like PEGI who determine if the game is suitable for retail therefore it is given an age rating.  
5
Regression
Regression phase is testing after the games launch. Issues can arise when old software collaborates with an update to the game. These bugs appear when developers have fixed a previous bug and updated the game giving the title of “Patch”. A halo test will be integrated and performed in the games code to determine how much damage a next bug could do to hone in on its place in the code and resolve it.
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