But why is console game testing important? And what are some top console game testing practices to “wow” your players and create a polished gaming experience? Let’s find out.

Why is Console Game Testing Important?

Like software testing, console game testing plays a crucial role in the game development process. It ensures your game works as intended, offering players a smooth and enjoyable experience.

What’s more, it helps you identify glitches, bugs, and other issues that may impact your console game performance. This enhances the overall quality of your game. Without thorough testing, your game may suffer technical flaws, disrupting gameplay and negatively impacting player satisfaction.

Top 6 Console Game Testing Practices to Wow Your Players

No gamer would like a disruptive gaming experience. Here are the best console game testing practices to wow your players by taking their gaming experience to the next level.

1. Thorough Functionality Testing

Functionality testing determines the success of your game. This testing practice helps you understand whether your console game flow matches its specifications. This mainly involves testing for incomplete interface design, audio and video issues, and mechanical shortcomings, among other problems that may lead to missed colors, freezing, and inconsistent animation, among other bugs or errors.

Here’s how you can ensure thorough functional testing for your console game:

• Test all game features, functionalities, and mechanics to ensure they perform as intended. This may include testing gameplay mechanics, character interactions, and AI behavior, to mention a few.

• Confirm that all controls are intuitive and responsive for the target console platform (e.g., Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation).

2. Compatibility Testing

The last thing you need is to release a console game that’s only compatible with a specific console model, configuration, and environment. This can limit your audience by making your game inaccessible across several console models. And that’s where compatibility testing comes in handy.

Compatibility testing is crucial in console game development. It helps ensure your console game integrates seamlessly across multiple console models, ecosystems, and configurations. This practice is vital as it guarantees players on different platforms can access and enjoy a consistent and error-free gaming experience. As a result, it contributes to player satisfaction and the success of your console game.

Things to Consider During Compatibility Testing

There are several practices to consider during compatibility testing to ensure your console game delivers a seamless gaming experience across different console environments. These include:

Following these compatibility testing practices helps you identify and rectify issues related to software or hardware variations. As a result, it minimizes the risk of negative reviews and player frustration caused by compatibility-related problems.

3. Localization Testing

The internet has made the world a global village. A game released in the US can be played worldwide, including areas where English is not the native language. In such a scenario, limiting your game to support one language makes it inaccessible to the broader audience. And that’s where localization testing comes into play.

The localization testing practice aims at optimizing the game flow, tone, and language, regardless of the initial language. Localization testers ensure that localized or translated game options are as consistent and flawless as the original.

What’s more, localization ensures that your game is culturally sensitive and speaks to players in their native languages. Remember, it’s not just about translating the game. Instead, it’s about adapting graphics, content, and cultural references that resonate with various regions. This improves player immersion and engagement with the game.

4. Performance and Optimization Testing

Performance and optimization testing are crucial practices in console game development. They play a vital role in crafting a seamless, immersive gaming experience that will wow your players. These testing practices ensure your game runs flawlessly on the target console hardware with zero performance bottlenecks.

Performance testing assesses load times (for initial game startup and level transition) to keep players engaged without frustrating delays. Also, it ensures that your game doesn’t overheat the console or cause excessive fan noise, which may create an unpleasant gaming environment.

On the other hand, optimization testing dives into the fine details of your game’s code, assets, and graphics. It involves discovering resource-intensive processes and fine-tuning the game to harness the full potential of the console’s hardware capabilities. This testing practice prevents frame drops, lag, and other performance-related issues.

5. Usability Testing

Perform extensive usability testing to assess the overall user experience of your console game. This practice ensures your game has player-friendly interfaces, delivering seamless gameplay experiences.

With usability testing, you evaluate head-up display (HUD) clarity, menu navigation, and in-game feedback. Collecting players’ feedback helps you identify and correct potentially frustrating or confusing aspects of your game’s interface. This ensures players can quickly navigate the game’s menu and information, enhancing their experience.

6. Multi-Player Testing

You can do all the above practices, but none would be complete without multi-player testing. Conducting game testing in a multi-player mode gives an entirely different perspective. In console gaming, AI adversaries, game servers, and other players interact simultaneously. And the only way to ensure this interaction is smooth is through multi-player testing.

Thoroughly test the game’s multi-player functionality, including server stability, online performance, and matchmaking. Also, simulate multiple network conditions (e.g., packet loss, high latency) to identify possible issues and optimize the online experience.

Wrapping Up

Console game testing ensures that your game meets its requirements and is free from performance bottlenecks and glitches. These six best practices for console game testing can help you deliver a smooth console game that wows the players. However, remember player feedback is vital throughout the testing process. So, playtesting sessions with actual can help gather insights and make improvements based on player feedback.

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This is a no-brainer. As the catalogue of games grows by the thousands every year, the games themselves become redundant after a few years. However, unlike other entertainment medium, games are more emotionally connected to people and these redundant games start feeling relevant again. Hence the demand for these old games is higher than ever. Thanks to the misstep that was the architecture of the PS3, Sony was not able to implement Backward Compatibility in the PS4. But with the next iteration of the PlayStation hinted to be very similar to the PS4, architecture-wise, and hints at backward compatibility being thrown in by Sony executives, this may well be a possibility on the PS5.

Having the entire catalogue of PS4 games playable on the PS5 on day one will be one hell of a feature to overlook. And this may be the make or break feature for many (me included) on deciding whether to stick with Sony or move to Xbox. And the best part, in my opinion, is that it all looks possible and could very well happen. Unless Sony decides to put this behind a paywall and start charging money. Chances for which are equally as good, given the popularity and demand for Backward Compatibility. Let’s just hope for now that this would not happen.

“So the Xbox has a game pass. The PlayStation has PS Now”. This would not be a winning argument as of now. PS now is service that launched much before the Xbox game pass and has not been a resounding success that Sony probably hoped for. Microsoft, on the other hand, took the same idea and made a better, more appealing product with the Xbox game pass. With the option to download the games to the Xbox One, the user did not have to rely on streaming the games real time, unlike with PS Now. Sony has since added this option but limited to PS2 classics and PS4 games, and not PS3 titles, possibly due to the aforementioned architecture of the PS3. That said even with the option to download whatever is available, the value proposition does not match to that of the robust service offered by Microsoft.

The solution to this…… Merge PS Now with PS Plus and have the library of games as part of the PS plus subscription, along with the 2 monthly permanent additions as offered now. To be fair this does seem a bit farfetched as executives may see this as potential money down the drain. But keeping in mind that this was not that much money, to begin with (considering the lacklustre success of PS Now), plus the incredible value this will bring to PS Plus in direct comparison to the Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, this options makes a whole lot of sense.

Watching Sony stick to the PSVR is both delightful and disturbing at the same time. Considering its track record Sony does not seem to support a device unless it is a big success (Remember PSP Go?). But things have been different with the PSVR. Two years into its release, Sony has been supporting VR, and the strongest line-up of VR games have only emerged in the last few months making a stronger case for VR as a whole in the future. Rumours have hinted that the PS5 will have better PSVR integration and will be made with PSVR in mind. While this is encouraging and all, Sony still needs to consider the people who haven’t bought into VR Yet. The non VR crowd (me included) who prefer traditional games playable with their DualShock controllers.

Sony’s stance on VR is worrying not because there is a small risk of them abandoning VR, but because they may get carried away and shoehorn PSVR to every PS5 console. Much like what Microsoft did with the Xbox and Kinect. This is a big NO. Also with the Nintendo’s Switch being the success that it is, and Sony’s recent announcement that the PS Vita has stopped production, there is also a worry among fans that Sony may attempt (and fail) to recreate the Switch. While chances of this are far less than the shoehorning of the PSVR, it is still a big NO. Sony’s strength has always been in making great home consoles and making great games for those consoles. That’s what makes them money. I’d say Sony needs to stick with it and do it better than anyone. Invest in the research of your consoles. Invest on your Console Game Testing and Game Functionality Testing, and keep churning out excellent quality, bug-free and micro-transaction free first party games throughout the console’s lifecycle. That will give you the Win.

Like point No.1, this too is a no-brainer. The gaming community is the most vibrant and outspoken ever. We gamers are spoilt for choice when it comes to games to play or opinions to share. So Sony needs to listen to the community rather than the boardroom executives and start to adopt customer favouring policies like crossplay. The fortnite debacle gave Microsoft a launch pad to troll Sony and the public perception that Sony managed to maintain for years sure took a dent. So Sony needs to understand the importance of this and be more flexible towards the community. This may sound cliché but it is more vital than one could imagine.

The most important of the lot, and one that I honestly believe Sony will get right. The Price. $399 has been the sweet spot and Sony is more or less sure to stay on that price (The absurdly overpriced Indian SKUs are a topic for another day). That said, the cost of R&D and the unpredictability of the events to transpire from now until the release of the PS5 (Predicting Holiday of 2020) are factors to consider. Sony will have to overcome all of this and execute a competitive price at launch. What Sony also needs to do is avoid having a mid-cycle refresh like the PS4 pro. I intend to purchase any one of the consoles that win me over in the next gen, whether it’s the PS5 or the Xbox Scarlet.

What I do not intend to do is invest a similar amount two years down the line. The PS4 Pro was a tough proposition and pretty much a grudge purchase for anyone wanting the “best experience”. This was thanks to Microsoft’s move out of desperation to gain footing in the form of the launch of the Xbox One X. With Microsoft looking confident than ever before, I feel that a mid-cycle refresh is unnecessary. Yes, Microsoft hinted at next generation of Consoles, and not a Console. And if Sony was to mimic Microsoft, I’d rather prefer both options (base and pro models) at launch and decide for myself on which variant to invest on for the next 5-7 years and not have these variant pop up 2-3 years down the line. But whether that will happen is something that we will have to wait and see.

Ah, the DualShock controller. Every PlayStation gamer, fan or not, will have a love-hate relationship with his/her console, thanks to the DualShock controller. While the DualShock 4 is much better than the DualShock 3 for the PS3, in terms of build quality and the overall feel, it is still nowhere close to the ruggedness and reliability of an Xbox One controller. I own and use both controllers and prefer the Xbox One controller when I play on a PC, while my preferred console as of now is no doubt the PS4. Sony needs to put some thought and make the DualShock 5 more convenient, reliable and appealing.

It needs to avoid redundant features like the touchpad and motion control and focus on what makes sense. Hell, throw in an OLED screen on it, if it can contribute to the gameplay experience in a way that it feels cohesive and part of the experience. I don’t mind. But do not do so just for some gimmicky features to push the consoles early. As a brand, PlayStation does not need it at this point. Just focus on making DualShock better.

So there you have it. Some words of wisdom from a consumer standpoint to his beloved brand. Only time will tell if these will ever be considered or implemented. One thing’s for certain though, next gen is coming and it is more intriguing than ever before. If you have been playing games since the age of 8 bit Mario as a little kid, you know you are living in the best of times. And the most exciting is yet to come.

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The term “Next Generation of Consoles” has been dropped a couple of times this year at E3. Sony and Microsoft have been cooking up their respective consoles while we enjoy the current line up of games. And we are on the verge of the next round of the Console Wars. While Sony’s lead in the current gen race with the PS4 is commendable, more than a few signs point towards this mantle being taken over by Microsoft when it releases its next console codenamed Scarlett. Here are 5 reasons why Microsoft may lead during the next generation of consoles.

No.1 – Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer was made the captain of a sinking ship when he was named the head of all things Xbox, just after the disaster that was the unveiling of the Xbox One. In an age where public perception can decide the fate of a brand, Xbox had all the hate and negativity a company wouldn’t want at the time. And things looked like they were only going to go downhill from there. But Phil Spencer broke convention and reacted to what people were talking about Xbox. The ‘always-on’ internet policy was taken back, the Kinect was unbundled and eventually scrapped and, most of all, he admitted that the approach was a misstep and a bad business decision. All of these just to begin with. And through the course of Xbox One’s lifetime, Phil Spencer has resonated with the Xbox fan base, made numerous correct/good decisions and turned the tides for the brand, making it the beloved underdog it is today, despite the lack of games and other issues it has. A lot of what is to follow in this list are the doing of Phil Spencer and you will understand its importance as you read through. A gamer himself, this man is a magician, and his magic will certainly be cast on Xbox Scarlett.

No.2 – Investment on Games

Of all things Spencer did for the Xbox brand, perhaps the most important and consequently the most impactful factor that would help them next gen is the investment in creating a talented line up of in-house game studios. Taking a page out of Sony’s book, Phil acquired a number of studios under the Microsoft’s belt which will now be working exclusively on games for Xbox’s next console. This group includes renowned studios like Ninja Theory and in the word’s Tameem Antoniades, head of Ninja Theory, these studios have been given “Complete creative freedom” which means we can expect a truly diverse line up of games just like Sony has now.

No.3 – Xbox Game Pass

Xbox is still in a tough spot, thanks to its lack of games. And it tries to overcome this by offering something that no customer can resist. Value. Xbox’s robust subscription service ‘Xbox Game Pass’ serves as an answer to Sony’s ‘PlayStation Now’, and is far better than its competition. With a constantly changing library and access to Microsoft’s in-house games on day one, Xbox game pass offers tremendous value for money. This service has recently been expanded with the introduction of “Xbox All Access” which provides Xbox consoles in a subscription model. If this service transitions over to the next generation with the same decent pricing, Sony has a very tough hurdle ahead of them.

No.4 – Good PR

Sony may have the momentum in sales and games on its platform. But Xbox, as of today, enjoys more goodwill than it ever did since its inception. Once again, thanks to Phil Spencer the brand has been in the news frequently on a positive light. From its vocal support to crossplay, to its focus on tiny things like the release of the Elite Controller for “The 1% of gamers that want more from their Xbox”, to the release of the “Adaptive Controller” and the aforementioned Xbox game pass, Xbox seems to be on a hot streak of fan favouring moves. One of the main factors for Sony’s success this generation was the goodwill it had among the fans during the release of the PS4. And the misstep from Microsoft in the form of Xbox One’s launch only gained more goodwill for Sony. In the current climate though, things have changed. And Xbox is poised to benefit from similar goodwill – if it continues to build it-, thanks to the company’s efforts and our next and most crucial point in this list which is……..

No.5- Sony’s Blind Eye

Ten years ago, when the Xbox 360 ate the PS3 for breakfast, Sony was a company that was struggling to make ends meet as most of its electronics brands were losing the market. And the PS3’s turbulent launch didn’t help matters. Sony then turned their focus on what would save the Playstation Brand and focused on delivering great exclusive games, simultaneously while it gained footing with the OG PS3. The PS3 slim was then released with a price cut and Sony eventually gained momentum to stand head to head with its rival. Through the release of the PS4, Sony had mastered the skill of being a pro-consumer brand and made all the right choices. It’s exclusives still are the best and there is not a hint of a price cut for the PS4 which is a healthy sign of how it is doing. However, with all of this success over the last five years, Sony seems to have forgotten what got them here in the first place. They seem to have been making decisions like restricted crossplay, that is pro-business but not necessarily customer friendly. Add in all the goodwill Microsoft gets through its push for pro-consumer moves and Sony suddenly becomes the “Big Evil Corporation”. Interestingly enough Sony has been quiet for far too long letting the internet do the damage, until recently fixing the cross play debacle. Plus Microsoft seems to indicate that the next Xbox could launch as early as 2019, whereas Sony hints at a 2020 release for their console. Early release has always been a key factor for the success of each console in its generation and Sony appears to not mind Microsoft’s pace in this matter. Microsoft also recently announced X018, a PSX like event, presumably to show off more of its Scarlett Console. And to PlayStation fans’ dismay, Sony has cancelled PSX this year. This could not have come at a worse time for Sony, as fans (me included) were expecting PSX would be the place for amends for the lacklustre E3 showing this year. But that turns out to be far from what is about to transpire. It will be very interesting to see if Sony does some damage control (and manage to succeed in it), to get players on their side. But as it stands now, this approach from Sony is only helping Xbox as a brand.

In the end, it is us the gamers who make the decision. As a console’s lifetime shrinks every generation we would need to decide on what gives us the most for our investments. As I am in the Console Game testing profession, I can’t wait to see how both companies try to win us over in the months to come, for their next console. We may have to wait until E3 2019 for this to fully take shape. Until then all we can say is “Let the War begin”.

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The answer to the question is – YES!

The QA team needs to be certified to perform console game testing which is due to – high-security requirements by the console manufacturers as well as the game developers.
High standards of security are involved in console game testing so that the game does not fail certification and increase the game developer’s cost. To make these games available on consoles, they are passed through additional approval and certification processes set by console vendors. These games will only get certified if they meet the rigid standards of security set by the console vendors. These measures are taken to ensure the games do not enter the gray market, which will, in turn, be a huge loss to the game developers and the console vendors.
To test a console kit, the QA Team must have access to certain hardware.

There are three types of console kits that are available

Comparatively, the Dev kit is more expensive than the other two kits, whereas the retail kit is the least expensive.
The Dev kit is for the developers to run/execute the gaming code with a lot of options. Test kits come with fewer options mainly intended to be used for testing.
These Dev and Test kits contain proprietary information that is very much secure. These kits come along with a code to ensure that pirated games are not run on the console devices. Improper security leads to reverse engineering and piracy of games. These pirated games will be violating game patent laws and incur huge losses to the console manufacturers.
The game testing team will be receiving the game builds in the form of download copies or disks to perform testing.
Due to the above-explained reasons, the Console Manufacturers and Game Developers will select certified game testing service vendors to perform console game testing. These partners should loyally follow guidelines set by the console manufacturers. Console Manufacturers will ‘Certify’ these partners proficiency in terms of performing testing with their kit. Game developers will only select the certified partners for console game testing services so that their game doesn’t fail certification or end up aspirated versions.

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