Game Development Essentials: Game QA & Testing

by Luis Levy, Jeannie Novak

GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS: GAME TESTING & QA explains the history of testing, basic and advanced techniques, educational background, and available online resources on testing. With GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS: GAME TESTING & QA, dedicated gamers can learn what it takes to become a professional, well-paid QA or production testers - entering the game industry from the front door. The authors envision a future where game testers are recognized as well-trained, elite professionals that play a crucial role in game development. GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS: GAME TESTING & QA is a comprehensive guide to the mysterious game testing profession. Through first-hand experience and deep research, the authors shed light on the history of testing, basic and advanced techniques, job-hunting, and moving up in the ladder of game development. GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS: GAME TESTING & QA is the first book of its kind, preparing would-be testers for an exciting career in the game industry.

Genres: Game Design

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jere · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only book currently published on this topic, so as a result there is nothing to really compare it to. The first half of the book I felt was very lacking. This portion covered actual testing of games and the QA process. Except, the book did not really discuss methods of testing except for very abstract concepts. Also the book did not provide any good broken games to use as testing examples in order to practice the abstract concepts referred to. Creating nicknames for different personalities was interesting but I did not fully understand how those nicknames (which were about 5 pages in 200 page book) helped the reader to become a better game tester.
The second half of the book, on the other hand, was excellent in dealing with the topics of resumes, interviews, getting hired within the game industry, getting promoted within the game industry, and the potential future of the game industry. However, as much as I enjoyed this part of the book, I could not help but wonder why the chapters were included instead of more information on testing and QA.
All in all this book is very light on actual content, perhaps 50 pages of go information on testing and the rest is just fluff to fill a book. But, as the only option currently published it will continue to be the book I will use in my game testing courses.

[Align812 · Rating 1 out of 5]

PLEASE AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Este libro me ha quitado años de vida, MADRE DE DIOS.
No te dice nada nuevo, te da lecciones de la vida pero en plan mal...
No entiendo nada, es terrible.

[Ki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis and Jeannie worked their arses off, gathering the best stories about Game QA and Testing from the experts in the field.

(Note, I'm quoted in the book. but I have to tell you, I was enthralled reading the stories of my contemporaries. There is a certain warmth in knowing others have suffered to the bowels of hell, just like yourself.)