This is the presentation made by Bica Studios at the Microsoft Game Dev Camp 2014 in Lisbon.
This document features the evolution of a Game Design Document and The Importance of Testing in the game development scene.
14. True! But...
• It’s more than just having “cool” ideas!
I have learned something about Game Design!
15. True! But...
• It’s more than just having “cool” ideas!
• It’s always evolving according to the
Technology , Social Behaviors and Culture
I have learned something about Game Design!
16. True! But...
• It’s more than just having “cool” ideas!
• It’s always evolving according to the
Technology , Social Behaviors and Culture
• Still, it’s a new and weird job (and AWESOME of course!!!)
I have learned something about Game Design!
47. It had more than 100 pages! Text Pages!
I believe that I should win a Nobel.
48. It had more than 100 pages! Text Pages!
I believe that I should win a Nobel.
Half of the team read it once.
49. It had more than 100 pages! Text Pages!
I believe that I should win a Nobel.
Half of the team read it once.
And then, I made an update.
50. It had more than 100 pages! Text Pages!
I believe that I should win a Nobel.
Half of the team read it once.
And then, I made an update.
Nobody reads it, of course!
51. It had more than 100 pages! Text Pages!
I believe that I should win a Nobel.
Half of the team read it once.
And then, I made an update.
Nobody reads it, of course!
The project dies!
90. In the early days, QA was
often conducted by the
programmers themselves.
Atari’s ET was so bad they
had to burry the wasted
copies!
THE EARLY DAYS
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
91. These days, games released with
bugs are more subject to scrutiny
by critics and media channels.
TODAY’S HISTORY
The companies created dedicated
QA teams.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
92. Give developers more time to
focus on game development!
THE BENEFITS
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
93. THE THREE PILARS
BUGS LEVEL DESIGN PLAYABILITY
Everything related to
game play, visuals and
response time.
Functionality and game
flow needs to be
working.
Based on the player
experience.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
95. Have the basics running.
Define the fundamental
structure of the game.
Can have critical bugs.
Internal only.
Define game features.
ALPHA BETA GOLD
THE STAGES
Should be running as
close as possible to the
retail version.
Reduce impacts to the user.
Can go to a restrict hands-
on of external people.
Get players feedback.
There could still be source
code changes to fix defects,
but…
Cannot add new source
code.
Ready to release unless
significant bugs emerge.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
96. THE DEVICES
What every tester would love to have... The reality...
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
98. PLAY TEST
Do the Mom test!
*Testing Data
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
99. More than 300 changes
and bug fixes!
PLAY TEST
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
100. PLAY TEST
Don’t be afraid to fail!
Keep trying until it works!
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
101. GAME TESTING
Try to start the testing as soon as possible.
Free more time to developers.
Ensure the game is functionality, fun and
also…
MAKE SURE THE MONETIZATION WORKS!
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
102. This is it...
The holy grail of video game QA is that every single detail
in every conceivable scenario of the product is tested.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
103. And just a quick note!
Players are never stupid!!!
If you believe that
you are the stupid one!
104. Let’s go back to work!
The aim needs to be always clear:
• Have an awesome game!
• Create the best smasher game that the world have ever seen!
• Become profitable – Become a recognizable Brand!
105. Personal Note
• If you are not changing something, why the hell are you doing it?
• Don’t loose your time with morons.
• Be fucking AMBITIOUS!