BPO in the Gaming Industry: Game Testing and Quality Assurance

Cinematic trailers and rave reviews may persuade gamers to try a new release, but only smooth gameplay will keep them hooked. You might wonder: How can you prevent glitches in games?

Business process outsourcing (BPO) is one crucial driver of a seamless gaming experience. Gaming companies hire third-party development teams to boost game testing and quality assurance (QA) processes.

Continue reading this article to learn how service providers support the gaming industry.

The Value of Game Testing and QA

Due to poor QA, the action role-playing game Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim experienced massive technical challenges and complaints during its 2011 rollout. Unexplained crashes, slowdowns, and frame rate issues prevented gamers from enjoying the adventure, lowering user satisfaction.

Hence, game QA is a critical stage in the development process of online or offline video games. The testing phase measures gaming platforms’ performance before, during, and after launch. It sets the bar for a smooth user experience (UX).

This function also serves as the gaming sector’s backbone. It ensures players receive reliable and high-quality products. A smooth and bug-free experience increases user satisfaction and retention. Beyond that, game testing services bring the following advantages:

• Detect in-game issues early on. Pinpointing bugs and glitches beforehand makes issue resolution easier and cheaper. QA helps catch these flaws during the development cycle, ensuring they do not snowball into more complex and costly problems later.
• Maintain the excellent performance of a game’s operating system. QA processes ensure the game behaves consistently across different platforms, devices, or regions. This capacity is vital for multiplayer computer and mobile games requiring an internet connection.
• Enhance creativity for game developers. Knowing their creations will undergo rigorous testing pushes developers to think outside the box. They continuously research and come up with innovative solutions.
• Strengthen the market’s reputation. Amid the fast-paced, competitive gaming sector, even minimal in-game lags can harm a developer’s or a studio’s reputation. QA helps games meet the expected quality standards, protecting the brand image.
• Address costly game issues. Post-release patches and fixes can be expensive. Identifying and resolving problems during the testing phase saves developers significant resources in the long run.
• Ensure long-term market success. Well-tested games are more likely to receive positive reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations, and better sales. These milestones fuel the development of future games and expansions.
• Boost security and legal compliance. Malware and unwanted software spread as cheat programs hinder players from fully enjoying their gaming experience. Game testers ensure gaming platforms meet industry-specific standards by equipping them with robust security solutions and meeting gaming-focused regulatory requirements.

BPO’s Role in Game Testing and QA

Poor quality assurance can lead to a game’s eventual downfall even after its successful initial rollout. For instance, BioShock 2, a sequel to the 2007 major international hit game Bioshock, failed due to insufficient QA tests. 

2K Marin developed the first-person shooter survival horror video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. However, the game failed due to many UX and technical issues. The company was not able to find a solution to the bugs. Hence, it could not provide a final patch to repair problems in 2010.

However, establishing an in-house QA team requires considerable funding to hire, train, and retain people. Acquiring the necessary infrastructure adds to the rising costs. This gap is what BPO helps address with third-party game testing and QA. Discover how below.

Optimize Cutting-edge QA Technologies

Gaming enterprises outsource game testing to third-party service providers to access advanced QA tools without overspending. These technologies help accelerate the trial phase and minimize errors, ensuring every game launch is on track and uninterrupted.

• Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Appium, and TestComplete) assist BPO companies in automating repetitive test cases. They enable faster and more consistent game functionality testing across multiple devices.
• Performance testing tools simulate thousands of users to evaluate a game’s scalability and responsiveness. JMeter, LoadRunner, and Gatling are some examples.
• Virtualization and cloud testing solutions allow BPO firms to create digital game testing and QA environments. They support testing across various devices, operating systems, and network conditions without physical constraints.
• Predictive analytics platforms study historical testing data to forecast potential areas of concern and improvement. This artificial intelligence (AI) and BPO tool streamlines proactive bug identification and risk mitigation.
• Anomaly detectors use machine learning (ML) algorithms to track unusual patterns or malfunctions within a game. This tool speeds up the identification and mitigation of hidden bugs or performance issues.
• Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) testing systems assess immersion, visual fidelity, and UX for 3D and highly interactive games.
• Localization and globalization tools, such as translation memory systems and cultural adaptation solutions, ensure games resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. They also maintain linguistic accuracy and cultural authenticity.
• Security platforms include penetration testing tools, vulnerability scanners, and anti-malware features to strengthen a game’s data protection. They automatically detect game threats to avoid or destroy another 3,705 distinct info-stealing-type malicious files affecting thousands of users.
• UX analytics tools (e.g., Hotjar, UserTesting, and Looker) help BPO providers collect real-time user feedback, perform usability research, and analyze player behavior. The insights guide the team in optimizing game design and enhancing the gaming experience.
• Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) systems facilitate rapid deployment of new game updates. Platforms such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, and Travis CI ensure this seamless upgrade without disrupting existing functionalities.
• Game telemetry and monitoring platforms record in-game metrics, track player interactions, and monitor real-time performance metrics. These solutions assist BPO game testers in making data-driven decisions and iterative revamps. Mixpanel and New Relic are some examples.

Provide Skilled Game Testers

The abovementioned tech will not function without proficient staff. BPO companies employ game testing and QA experts who are proficient in development and testing tools. They undergo regular training to hone relevant skills and apply innovative solutions. 

Service providers also deploy specialized teams focused on various aspects of game testing. These teams include testers for game functionality, localization, usability, and security. This wide range of experts ensures comprehensive coverage across all testing domains.

You can tap into these professionals by paying an hourly or monthly fee. They cut up to 90% of your labor expenses. For instance, hiring a game tester from the Philippines costs you approximately $5 per hour. Meanwhile, recruiting their counterpart in the United States costs about $18 for the same period.

Simplify Development-focused QA

Combining those human and tech resources assists BPO providers in boosting development-focused game testing and quality assurance. The following testing strategies help determine and resolve minor issues faster and more cost-effectively:

• Functional testing covers gameplay mechanics, controls, menus, and other core features.
• Compatibility testing verifies a game’s ability to work seamlessly across different devices and configurations.
• Localization testing ensures a game is culturally and linguistically appropriate for different regions.
• Performance testing evaluates a game’s performance under various conditions, including network speeds, system loads, or graphical settings.
• Load testing assesses an online multiplayer game’s stability and performance under heavy and simultaneous usage.
• Security testing detects and mitigates potential in-game vulnerabilities and cyber threats, such as hacking, cheating, or data manipulation.
• Usability testing validates a game’s user interface (UI), UX, and overall playability to confirm it is intuitive and user-friendly.
• Regression testing involves trying out previously working features to ensure updates do not adversely affect a game.
• Accessibility testing ensures players with disabilities can access a game by examining features such as subtitles and color-blind modes.

Streamline Game Beta Testing

BPO companies guide clients in enhancing the beta phase of game testing and quality assurance. This critical phase in game development lets developers gather user feedback, identify bugs, and apply necessary refinements before the rollout.

Beta testing also lets potential players try the product before the official launch. It allows them to check if the game’s features suit their interests and voice their concerns. They can also discover if the game is well-built and structured, boosting their satisfaction and loyalty. 

According to recent statistics, 74% of players avoid buying games from developers who previously released buggy ones after rushing work. BPO firms help prevent such incidents by conducting the following beta testing processes:

• Recruit diverse groups of gamers. This broad range of testers brings varying perspectives and experiences together to provide comprehensive and creative feedback.
• Create detailed test cases and scenarios. BPO teams tailor these situations to a game’s objectives, themes, and features, ensuring systematic and thorough testing.
• Monitor the overall beta test management procedure. Providers handle this entire process, including distributing beta versions of a game. They track tester activities, collect insights, and collate results.
• Facilitate bug tracking and reporting. BPO firms efficiently locate, document, and address game flaws during beta testing. They categorize issues based on severity and suggest fixes for the development team.
• Initiate community engagement. Service vendors lead discussions and host events to foster a connection among beta testers. They create and moderate channels for direct communication between developers and players.
• Perform post-beta analysis and reporting. Once the phase concludes, BPO units prepare and compile comprehensive reports. These files summarize test results, feedback trends, identified issues, and improvement recommendations.

The Bottom Line

An uninterrupted gaming experience is vital for players participating in tournaments or simply wanting to enjoy a game. Smooth UX attracts loyal users, drives sales, and strengthens the gaming company’s reputation. BPO companies offer cost-effective resources to achieve these benefits. 

Providers conduct the services discussed to enhance your gaming products. They let you access scalable human and tech capabilities while saving operational expenses. Their expertise and technical proficiency help test games thoroughly to ensure a successful launch.

Let’s connect if you want to experience similar advantages with a BPO game testing and QA team. Unity Communications houses flexible specialists and agents to assist you in addressing the tedious paperwork and repetitive aspects of this game development stage.