Last updated on Oct 5, 2024

You're facing a slew of unexpected bugs in game testing. How do you tackle them efficiently?

Discovering bugs during game testing can be a daunting challenge. It's a critical phase where you uncover issues that could potentially derail your project. But fear not, as tackling these bugs efficiently is a skill you can master. By systematically addressing each bug, you can turn a chaotic bug-hunt into a manageable task. The key is to remain methodical and patient, learning from each bug to improve the overall quality of your game. With the right approach, you can navigate through this minefield and emerge with a game that's polished and ready for players to enjoy.

1 Prioritize Bugs

Begin by categorizing bugs based on their impact on the game's functionality, playability, and user experience. High-priority bugs that crash the game or severely affect gameplay should be addressed first. Medium-priority bugs may not stop the game from running but can still detract from the player's experience. Low-priority bugs are often cosmetic and can be fixed later. Use a bug tracking system to organize and prioritize these issues, ensuring that your team focuses on the most critical problems first.

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Tanmoy Kundu

CEO & Founder of Arvat | Lead Game Developer
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Start by categorizing them based on severity—focus on game-breaking issues that affect core functionality first. Address high-impact bugs that disrupt the player experience or prevent progress, and then move on to less critical glitches. By strategically prioritizing, you can ensure a stable game release while managing your team's time and resources effectively.

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2 Reproduce Errors

To fix a bug, you need to reproduce it consistently. Document the steps leading up to the error, and try to recreate it on different machines and platforms if applicable. This process helps you understand the conditions under which the bug occurs. Include screenshots or video captures when necessary to provide visual context. If a bug cannot be reproduced, it becomes difficult to verify that a fix has been successful, making this step crucial.

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Jordon Lyn

Aspiring game developer
(edited)
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This is similar to what I did when I worked for AMD. Whenever I found a bug, I would document the hardware and settings, along with the steps I took to reach it. In some cases, I even had to include screenshots so the developers could see what they were looking for.

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3 Analyze Code

Once you've replicated the bug, dive into the code to find the root cause. Use debugging tools to step through the code and watch how variables and game states change. Pay special attention to recent changes that might have introduced the bug. Look for common culprits such as null references, array index out of bounds, or race conditions. Keep your code version-controlled so you can track changes and revert if necessary.

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Tanmoy Kundu

CEO & Founder of Arvat | Lead Game Developer
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Review recent changes to pinpoint potential problem areas, and use debugging tools to trace errors and understand their root cause. Break down complex bugs into smaller parts, and focus on patterns that could reveal larger code flaws. A thorough code analysis helps you find efficient fixes, reduces the risk of new bugs emerging, and ultimately streamlines the debugging process.

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4 Test Fixes

After identifying the issue and implementing a fix, rigorously test the solution in various scenarios to ensure it doesn't introduce new bugs. Automated tests can be helpful here, but manual testing is also crucial, as it can catch issues that automated tests might miss. Encourage testers to try to "break" the fix by testing it under extreme conditions or in ways an average player might not.

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5 Learn and Adapt

Every bug is an opportunity to learn and improve your development process. Analyze why the bug occurred and how it slipped through initial testing. Was it a lack of unit tests, poor coding practices, or an unforeseen interaction between components? Use this insight to refine your testing procedures and coding standards. This proactive approach can help prevent similar bugs in the future.

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Tanmoy Kundu

CEO & Founder of Arvat | Lead Game Developer
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Analyze what went wrong, understand why the bug occurred, and adjust your development practices accordingly. Use the experience to refine your testing procedures, improve code quality, and anticipate potential issues in the future. By continuously learning from each challenge and adapting your approach, you can enhance your problem-solving skills and reduce the likelihood of similar bugs in future projects.

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6 Communicate Clearly

Efficient bug resolution requires clear communication among your team members. Ensure that everyone understands the bug's nature, the proposed fix, and how it impacts other parts of the game. Use clear and concise language in your bug tracking system to describe issues and solutions. This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout the debugging process.

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You're facing a slew of unexpected bugs in game testing. How do you tackle them efficiently?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Prioritize Bugs

2 Reproduce Errors

3 Analyze Code

4 Test Fixes

5 Learn and Adapt

6 Communicate Clearly

Game Development

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You're facing a slew of unexpected bugs in game testing. How do you tackle them efficiently?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Prioritize Bugs

2 Reproduce Errors

3 Analyze Code

4 Test Fixes

5 Learn and Adapt

6 Communicate Clearly

Game Development

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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