Category Archives: Game Testing

The Benefits of Agile Software Testing

Posted by on July 22, 2014 No comments

During the process of software development, the software needs to be tested. If you are developing software and are not running beta testing jobs or tests on the software, you might not be aware of any flaws in the software until the product is finished. Agile beta software testing is part of the Agile software development model. The beta testing jobs performed by Agile are usually focused on smaller pieces of code, and performed frequently to ensure predicable and consistent results.

Why Use Agile?

Any type of software testing has limitations of some sort or another. When you are running beta software testing, you want to use the methodology that best benefits everybody. When you use Agile, who benefits? The quick answer is that everybody benefits from Agile. Visibility and transparency are both promoted by using Agile and this helps to preserve the interest of everybody involved in the software project.

Stakeholders – Agile provides better visibility to the stakeholders.

Customer – Because Agile uses frequent releases, the project is guaranteed to satisfy the customer’s needs.

Development team – The Development team will benefit because Agile provides shorter development time for iterations and a shorter learning curve.

Managers – From the project management standpoint, Agile is perfect because there is more productivity due to less meetings, better communication, and lower overheads.

Testing team – Because Agile uses early access for testing, the testing team is able to test sooner.

The Benefits of Agile Software Testing

Agile beta software testing has multiple benefits. If you are considering using Agile for your software beta testing, the following list contains the benefits of using Agile.

Improved Quality

Agile software testing involves testing small sections of the software code at a time, testing and reviews are performed during each iteration and there are frequent builds all of which allows testing teams beta testing using Agile to quickly find and repair any problems. The quality of the software is much higher, so the customer satisfaction is higher with Agile. In short, Agile produces a better quality product.

Focus on the Customer

The needs of real customers are the focus with Agile because one of the methods of Agile is to define product features based on acceptance criteria from user stories. Focusing on the customer’s needs in relation to the software features, the features provide real value. After each iteration, software is beta tested, so feedback is gathered often and changes can be quickly made based on that feedback.
With Agile testing, the priority of the features is determined by the client. Features are then delivered in the order of importance, which is why Agile is such a client-centric methodology. From the customer and client standpoint, Agile is ideal for their needs.

Transparency

Clients are involved during Agile software development. Because of their involvement of the software while it is developed, they see it as a work in progress. This makes projects fully transparent for the client and this is something that many clients prefer. Transparency is very important.

Better Communication

Whenever you have multiple teams working separately on a project, communication can falter. One department might report to the project manager, but not to the other department. Agile software development means that the developers and the testers are on one team, making communication smoother, easier and quickly. There is less chance of something vital not being communicated properly.

Collaboration

Agile development involves a high degree of collaboration between the project team and the client. This is ideal because the client can give feedback and communication is more fluid. The project team works with the client so that if there are questions, the client is readily available to help.
Working software is delivered frequently and early because Agile uses fixed-duration time boxes, which increases stakeholder engagement. Stakeholders see working products earlier, which keeps them engaged in the project; they see that the product is working and that the project is on track. Early tangible results are a big plus for stakeholders.

Early Delivery

Agile uses early and predicable delivery so there is a frequent delivery of features. Agile uses time-boxes iterations on a fixed schedule of anywhere from one to four weeks, so the delivery is not only frequent, it is also predicable as to when features will be delivered.

Quality Control is a Team Effort

Because testing is done throughout development, instead of just after the development team has finished, testing and development work together. Quality is the responsibility of the entire team, working together and not one the shoulders of any one team.
With developers working with testers, it allows for better software quality because tests and development are ongoing and being worked on together. Change can happen quickly and features can be easily refined based on client feedback.

Flexibility

Because iterations are so frequent, Agile gives the project team flexibility to reprioritize and refine features based on the client’s feedback. New requirements can be easily be incorporated for the next iteration. Agile gives the team the flexibility to easily change what the next sprint will be; this allows them to easily modify existing features or to add new features and/ or requirements. The flexibility that Agile gives the development and testing team works to the benefit of both the project team and the client.

Better Problem Detection

There is better problem detection with Agile because the testers and developers are working together, on one team. Feedback about defects can be given immediately so that the developers can work on fixing the bug right away. There are fewer delays due to bugs because defects and problems are found and taken care of earlier than they would be with other software testing methods.
Using Agile to develop and test software has numerous benefits for the client and the project team. Agile results in lower costs, which is always a benefit but more importantly, it provides numerous benefits for the client and the project team, which results in a better quality software project. When it comes to a business focused project management, Agile certainly delivers.

Using Crowdsourcing to get Software Testing Experience

Posted by on February 23, 2014 No comments

Experience

When starting out in the software testing industry, it can prove difficult finding your first job. This goes for almost every kind of industry, previous experience is needed in order to get work, and a job is needed to get experience. This turns into a bad circle where basically you need a job to get one. So what can we do about this? There are several ways to make yourself more attractive to employers. Getting a software testing certificate from one of the big companies can definitely increase your chances of landing a job. But another way to get experience, and earning a bit of money at the same time, is through crowdsourcing. For those of you who have never heard of this, it is like outsourcing to a large group of people, where everyone gets smaller tasks to complete.

How does it work?

There are various resources online, where game/software testers can sign up and apply for work. After registration, there is usually a trial period for new employees, where they get to learn and show their skills. Some sites assign new people with a mentor during the starting period, who will help them and answer questions. So when registration is completed, all you have to do is look around the site for projects that you wish to participate in. The more active you are, the more projects will become available to you, assuming that the previous ones are correctly completed. The reward varies between different projects, and some of them offers provisional payment when bugs are found. By working with crowdsourcing as a tester, you improve the skills needed, get experience working in this field, and make some money on the same time.

Resources

So now I guess you’re eager to start, and wondering where to find these sites. One of them is called Crowdsourcing, and can be found HERE. Just click the “For testers” tab, then “Become a tester”, and you’ll find additional information as well as a link to sign up. Another great site is UTEST. You can sign up as a tester by clicking the “Join Our Community” button on the top right corner of their site. These are just suggestions, so feel free to look around and see if you find something that suits you better. Hope you find this article helpful, feel free to contact us if you have any further tips.

Software Quality Assurance Jobs and QA Training

Posted by on February 17, 2014 No comments

Quality assurance is another word for testing, in the sense it is discussed here. The difference is that the term quality assurance jobs can include working with non-software physical products as well. But we will not talk about these kinds of jobs here that does not deal with software.

Certification

The job market right now is tough, and the competition is huge. Many look for some kind of edge that will increase their chances of getting work. In software testing, one way to make this happen, is by going through some kind of official training or certification. There are several different kinds of programs, where you can enroll to earn a certificate. Most of these offer a foundational course, for which you don’t need any previous qualifications. After completing this, there are several additional programs that builds upon previous knowledge for more advanced topics. If you are already working in software testing, it can help in advancing your career and move you closer to desired positions. But certification doesn’t only help in getting the job, it also improves the current skill set of participants.

How do these programs work?

Several different companies provide this kind of training. You can check some of them out on the links below, or look around and find your own. There are mainly two kinds of programs: those where you need to complete teacher-led classes, and those without a teacher where you can learn by yourself and then pass by successfully completing the exams. The cost of participation varies between different providers. The exams difficulty depends on what QA training course you’re enrolled in, and the questions differ every time. Oftentimes, you need to attend the final test in person, but some providers maintain locales all over the world for international customers. Depending on the program you have chosen, you might be able to finish the exam online too.

Where can I find these courses?

Some QA training programs can be completed online, one provider that offer this is International Institute for Software Testing who also, alternatively have on-site education if that is your preference. Another great option is American Software Testing Qualifications Board. Look around a bit online and see if you find something that suits you. If you’d like to get a deeper knowledge, check out Software Certifications. There are many different options when looking for quality assurance jobs and certification, so take your time deciding, if this is something you would like to do.

How to Find Software Testing Jobs

Posted by on February 12, 2014 No comments

Where

There are several different places you can look for software testing jobs. Many online sites are listing job opportunities, which you can apply for. Some of these services are paid, but there are many free ones as well. Another option would be to contact the companies directly and ask if they have any openings. If you live close to a place like this, then the best way to contact them would probably be to drive over and introduce yourself. Most people who want to work in this field, have a genuine interest in software or games and are updated on upcoming releases and projects that are currently under development. Think about which company you might be interested in working at, go to their website and contact them to inquire about job openings. Where to look for this kind of career also depends on whether you wish to work from home, or physically attend at the company location.

Preparation

Like almost all other jobs out there, you can prepare yourself before making the application. Include a personal note, together with your resume, where you explain why you want to work for just them and express your interest about the job. It’s usually not required to know coding, if this is an entry-job, but some companies take this into account more than others, and it’s certainly a plus. This doesn’t mean learning and mastering all programming languages out there, just getting some basic knowledge about the easier ones. Having this skill can definitely help you stand out among the other job applicants. Obtaining a software testing certificate is also a good idea which makes you more attractive to employers. Another good practice is to do some research on the company before applying, this helps you impress during the interview, and shows that you have a genuine interest in what they are doing.

Resources

Because the job-market is so competitive nowadays, it is always helpful if you know someone that is already working in this field. They might be able to help you getting a foot inside, and from there everything becomes so much easier. Joining forums that discuss software testing jobs can not only help you acquire additional skills, but also make a great place to make connections. There are great opportunities for freelancing in this line of work, many of which can be found online and completed from home. One place for this is crowdsourcedtesting, where you can find beta testing jobs, among others. Finding the companies you would like to work for on twitter and following them, can also provide information when new openings arise. LinkedIn is another place that’s good at getting you into the market.

Get Paid To Play Video Games Competitively

Posted by on February 7, 2014 No comments

This is probably the most difficult way to earn money from gaming, but could potentially also be the most profitable. In order to be successful, you have to be one of the best players in a certain game.

How can this produce money?

E-sports is a rapidly growing business, and with the crowd comes greater prizes in competitive play. These rewards are often contested in tournaments, where teams of five players face each other. Some of these events are huge in the e-sports scene, and watched by many fans all over the world. Both Dota 2 and League of Legends had tournaments in 2013 with prize pools above $2 000 000. But there are many other games that can be played competitively like this. Generally, the bigger audience a game has, the greater prizes are made available for it. EA Sports offer several different games which can be played for cash vs other players at their arena.

What is required ?

Oftentimes, the level of skill that is required for high-paying tournaments, is huge. The people that get paid to play video games this way, often do it professionally and make the majority of their income from it. However, those who make a name for themselves in e-sports have a much easier time capitalizing on streaming, and similar ventures, because of their already existing fan base.

Tips

In order to play games competitively for a living, the most important factor is skill and practice. Finding a good team to play with can also mean a lot, but since many games use ladder systems where one can climb by playing solo, reaching higher divisions creates better opportunities of finding other skilled players and teams. If you want to get a head start, try looking at upcoming games and anticipating which ones will grow to become successful in the competitive scene. Then start playing it as soon as possible, sign up for beta testing if it’s available. This extra practice time could give you an edge over the competition. Another thing, is watching other people with high skill when they play, either live through their stream or on recorded videos at youtube. Look at how they make decisions in game, and what way techniques and mechanics are used, then incorporate it into your own play style. There is almost always something to learn from good players that are already able to get paid to play video games. Like other sports, getting “in the zone/in flow” can help greatly, when you have nothing else on your mind and act in the moment. This last thing is something we all do automatically from time to time, but can’t be forced. Just knowing this, might help to prevent getting discouraged on days when we are not playing at our best.

Game Tester Salary

Posted by on February 6, 2014 No comments

Many people choose their occupation based on possible income and personal gain/interest. By weighing these two factors against each other, and considering what is the most important for ourselves, it’s easier to get a feel for which assignments might be suitable. Maybe you have an interest in beta testing, but want to know more about what income to expect, before getting further involved. As mentioned in an article on beta testing jobs, there are several factors which can impact the game tester salary.

What is normal compensation for this job in America?

When starting out, it is common to receive about $18 000/year. That is, without higher education or previous experience. However, after a couple of years, the salary can increase to almost double that amount. So the previous amount of experience in this line of work can greatly impact earnings. Another aspect to consider, is an employees position within the testing department. A lead tester, that have kept his/her job for more than six years, often gets more than $70 000/year.

What other factors are impacting ?

Previous education makes a difference, but not always as much as one might think. Some positions require certain kinds of formal schooling. As previously mentioned, this influences an employees pay, by making various positions possible. On the other hand, if the goal is just working as a normal game tester, surveys have shown that people without higher education actually receive a higher compensation. Although this could be due to lack of real work-experience, if people with degrees seek to advance to other positions within the industry as soon as possible, using the beta tester jobs as a stepping stone. Game tester salary also differs, depending what country and region you are in.

The video game industry is dominated by males. But there are games released, geared toward women, which also need testing. Most games are created for both men and women, but since females are relatively few in this line of work, they often receive greater economical compensation as game testers, compared to males. Depending on the different companies, some give out provisional rewards to game testers when bugs are found, or other tasks accomplished. So having greater skill and work-efficiency might actually sometimes increase how much money you can make as a game tester. The last thing I am going to bring up, is company size. Game developer companies, that have more money to spend on the project at hand, are often able to afford paying out higher salaries to their game testers.