Project Background
- Studio: Triple-A game developer with 200+ team members
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC (Steam/Epic)
- Scope: 50+ hours of gameplay, 100+ quests, multiplayer mode
Key Testing Challenges
- Physics Engine Bugs: Objects clipping through terrain, ragdoll failures
- Quest Logic Issues: Broken progression triggers in non-linear narratives
- Multiplayer Sync: Desynchronization in co-op mode (>4 players)
- Memory Leaks: Crashes after 6+ hours of continuous play
Testing Framework & Methodologies
Automated Testing
- Toolchain: Custom Python scripts + Unreal Engine Automation System
- Coverage: 15,000+ automated test cases for core mechanics
- Daily smoke tests for build verification
Manual Testing
- Exploratory Testing: 40 QA testers covering:
- Boundary breaking (out-of-map exploits)
- Economy balancing (gold/item duplication)
Optimization Statistics
Performance Testing
Metrics Tracked:
| Metric | Target | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| FPS | 60 (4K) | NVIDIA FrameView |
| Load Times | <3s (SSD) | Custom telemetry |
Critical Discoveries & Fixes
- Memory Leak Root Cause: Unreleased texture assets in fast-travel system
- Multiplayer Fix: Implemented deterministic lockstep networking
Results & Impact
Post-Launch Metrics:
- 92% Metacritic score
- 0 critical bugs reported in first week
- 30% reduction in support tickets vs. previous title
