Task 5 - Game Test Processes

Game Testing Life-Cycle

Process	Description	Phase Location?
Smoke Testing	Smoke Testing is a phase to determine if the game is ready to be tested. For example, each level loads to minimum satisfactory therefore more tests can be carried out. These tests mostly check whether the game would disturb the players system hardware or software. For example, the hardware increases in heat while the game is running and the heat further increases this is where the name 'Smoke' comes from as it may be dangerous for the player/tester to continue. The game will pass is it runs properly without much influence on the hardware or software.	Smoke Testing is issued after the preparation phase. This is because the new version of the game is complete.
White Box Testing	White Box Testing is a phase of determining if sections of the games script/code is satisfactory. The White Box Tester will have the knowledge of numerous coding languages. The White Box Tester will also be reading and recording if the game is responding to what the script/code intends. For example, in the script/code the trigger button is left click/RT/R2 and not right click/LT/L2.	White Box Testing is issued after Alpha Phase. This is because a large majority of the script/code has tested and errors have been fixed this is just a last check-up.
Black Box Testing	Black Box Testing is a phase determining if the games feedback is satisfactory for example, visual and sound errors, text errors or if the music simply doesn't fit in the environment.	Black Box Testing issued throughout the Beta Phase. This is because the public can access and play the game.
Clean Room Testing	Clean Room Testing is a phase recording how the player plays the game. For example, a player dying multiple times because they've not played a game in this genre or maybe the level is too difficult making it unplayable. Clean Room Testing will also cover the area in which the players move using a heat map. This map will show the area of the level players go most by indications of red on the map. This means developers can then check this area for issues like bugs.	Clean Room Testing is issued throughout the Beta Phase. This is because player information can be gathered with feedback furthermore fixing the games errors.
Play Testing	Play Testing is a phase to test for bugs, glitches and design flaws. These issues involve graphical issues for example, clipping errors and control bugs for instance, a control bug is an error in the game where the player is restricting movement or can only move in one direction.	Play Testing is issued throughout Alpha, Beta, Gold Phases. This is because a large majority of the game testing is involved.
Ad Hoc Testing	Ad Hoc Testing is a phase of testing for a specific error involving an unplanned bug or glitch that hasn't happened before. So, large amounts of the level and game must be investigated by QA Testers to check the problem hasn't affected the rest of the game. This type of testing isn't documented because of how rare a problem like this is.	Ad Hoc Testing might be issued in the Alpha, Beta, Gold Phases. This is because it is so rare and in this phase, most of the script/code is being tested.

Plan and Design Test

The start of the games testing life-cycle includes regression testing. For example, White Box testing and Smoke Tests are issued. The regression testing will continue with fixing bugs along with White Box testing as that will read and record whether the game is responding to the script/code. This is to determine if Black Box Testing is required. This phase of the life-cycle finishes with Smoke Testing as it will determine if the game runs and loads levels without issues.

Prepare for Testing

This phase in the life-cycle includes which parts of the game must be tested or focused more upon. So, a Test Suite will be undergoing this is a group of QA testers who are allocated to specific roles in testing’s like loading screen, the other recording feedback and another testing’s the controls. Information will be gathered about these areas and the next cycle begins.

Perform the Test

This is the phase when the test suite begins documenting the process of errors in the game for example, a bug which reoccur then spreads to the next level and other areas of the game. Black Box testing will be issued as it can determine why the script/code is doing this as the AQ testers will focus on the games graphics, feedback and gameplay.

Log the Defects

Here the AQ testers will log all the documents and information gathered in the test suite.

Fix the Defects

Final stage of the game testing life-cycle for the AQ testers as they have finished their jobs in fixing bugs and other issues a final version of the game will be made. A AQ testers may not be involved in fixing these bugs they have contributed into making a finished product so gamers can enjoy a new experience.