All About Video Game Testing

Developers want to ensure that once a game is released there are an extremely few number of bugs, and this is one of the reasons the role of a video game tester has become so important. In the past, video game testing usually required no more than one to two people because, quite simply, games weren't too complex. With some games, testers weren't even needed because those in charge of Game Programming could do the testing on their own. But, today, video game testing is in high demand, and companies are often looking for testers to find bugs in the game design. Companies strive to create a pool of people who are in charge of quality assessment and assurance.
Testing often times takes place before the game is even put into alpha or beta mode, despite what many people think. Of course, testing takes place in all stages, but it is preferable that bugs are found in the earliest stage possible. Companies want to ensure that the game design is flawless before it is put into alpha and beta stages.
What does game testing involve?
Testing involves a lot of game programming expertise, patience, and a true eye for detail. The idea behind game testing is to find and resolve bugs before the game hits store shelves. There is all sorts of testing that goes on, from compliance testing to functionality testing and compatibility testing, along with plenty of others. The testing process for video games is extremely similar to that of software testing.
The first step is to look at the Game Design and identify any type of program behavior that is incorrect. This behavior is called a bug. Once the behavior is identified, a tester will then report the bug through a defect tracking system which creates a report of the bug as well as a way to reproduce the bug. Sometimes real-time video of the bug is put through the system as well.
When the bug is reported and stored within the system, the developer who is responsible for the bug looks at the problem. For example, a game artist would be needed to fix a graphics bug. When the bug is fixed, the game tester will test the game again to ensure that the game programming is intact and that the bug no longer exists.
Of course, sometimes some of the bugs that are reported during video game testing aren't exactly bugs. Sometimes they are simply ignored while others are called NAB, not a bug. But, one thing is for sure: before a video game ever hits the shelves at your local gaming store, it has already gone through proper video game testing. This ensures that the game you buy is up-to-par, performs properly, and isn't buggy.
Gina Kraft wrote the article for Game Shastra. Gina is a supporter of Game Shastra specially, their game design, game programming, and game development areas.

Game Design And Development

Game development is used to describe the process by which a game is produced. It is usually used to refer to the development of computer and video games, and varies according to the company and project.
Game development involves game designing, sound designing, music composition and writing. To enter the world of game development, one has to have serious communication, theatrical and imaginative skills. Some companies also require a BS in Computer Science. Artistic experience is required for game development, as computer games have color and resolution restrictions. So if you have skills in this area, you can easily get a job. Most companies ask for a portfolio of your work. However, don't try sending this electronically, as most companies respond better to snail mail than e-mail.
Writers are hired by contract, and have to write scripts, character dialogue and 'online helps' for the game. The software developer need not always have a BS in Computer Science. This is because companies usually look at your samples in your portfolio, before hiring you. If you don't plan on working full-time in a company, consider part-time work. Whatever the case may be, you need resources to work. Get good books on programming, a compiler and game development books. Programmers should have knowledge of C++ and Java.
If you plan to become an artist in game development, then take art classes with a good paint program and a 3-D modeling program. Those with writing skills should vie for writing positions in game development. Create some sample scripts with story lines to succeed in game development! Game developers should also have some experience laying out levels. Note the structure of levels and environments in the top-selling games. Take theater, communication and computer science classes to get a good job. Once you enter the game industry, you'll find this field is always changing, very addictive and as challenging as it is rewarding.
Game Design [http://www.WetPluto.com/Game-Design.html] provides detailed information on Game Design, Video Game Designs, Game Design And Development, Game Design Software and more. Game Design is affiliated with Kid Board Games [http://www.i-BoardGames.com].

10 Tips for Beginner Game Programming

When you first start learning to program, there are a bunch of easy mistakes that make you waste time or lose motivation. Here is a list of my Top Ten Tips for new game programmers, which might save you a lot of time and trouble:
1. Start small
One of the all-time biggest mistakes for new programmers is to choose a massive project to be their first game (like a complete RPG). I know it's sometimes hard to hold yourself back, but a lot of people (myself included) have wasted time by trying to take on too big of a project in the beginning. Start with small, simple games, and work your way up to the big league once you know what you are doing.
2. Don't just copy and paste tutorials
When I first started learning to program, I fell into the bad habit of just copying and pasting tutorials instead of typing everything out. This might seem like a good idea to save time, but believe me when I say that the best way to learn to program completely on your own is to actually type out every single word. The typing keeps you more focused on the code, and the repetition drills it into your brain so you never forget it.
3. Program games that you actually want to play
This tip sometimes goes unnoticed, but try not to fall into the pit of making average, boring games. Making games is about the same thing as playing them - having fun is at the core. If you don't enjoy the game, neither will your audience. Plus, making a fun game keeps you motivated.
4. Don't worry about perfect programming and performance at first
Trying to follow all of the "rules" for programming sometimes just trips you up in the beginning. Unless you are making a professional game, it really doesn't matter if you structure your code like a newbie, or don't get 100% perfect performance - most of the time, no one will even know. (But don't ignore best practices altogether - they are very important to keep in mind as you progress.) Programming "Purists" might disagree on this one, but while you're starting out: if it works, it works, and that's good enough.
5. The more people (or beta testers) who play your games, the better
I spent a long time learning and programming games without having any real friends or family try them out. For one thing, it makes you feel accomplished because everyone is always impressed, and you can also learn a lot about how to improve your game just by watching them play and asking them for suggestions. Asking around online for people to beta test or review your games is also a great way to improve them.
6. Stay focused - Have a plan
Just like anything else, it is easy to get distracted when you program - this has been a HUGE problem for me in the past. How can you stay focused on the job? Plan out everything first with a game design document so you aren't wasting time wondering what to do and getting sidetracked. Also, find a good to-do list application - or just use paper and pen. Another way to stay focused is to collaborate. Knowing that someone else is waiting for you to do the work, means you can't afford to waste time being distracted.
7. People want to help you - just ask nicely
Forums are a great place to learn and look for help. (Most) people online genuinely want to help you, as long as you ask nicely by introducing yourself, explaining your problem, and using decent spelling and grammar. Don't just say what type of game you are making and tell people to do all the work for you - that isn't how it works.
8. Don't rush into overly complex terrain
Don't feel like you have to keep making more and more complex games with more difficult code before you are ready. If you go in over your head, you'll probably not know what's going on and you will just be wasting your time. Take it slow, there's no rush!
9. Get into the mindset that you WILL succeed
As Henry Ford once said: "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." If you keep thinking, "Oh, everyone else is better than me, I'm never going to be able to make a good game like them" then you probably aren't going to succeed. But if you've got passion, determination, and you don't give up, you are going to be a pro!
10. Collaborate, join the community, enjoy working with others
There is a great community of game devs out there - take advantage of it! Join forums, read and respond to blogs, and get to know other developers. You'll end up learning a lot from some very talented people and maybe even get to work with them. If you are passionate, hardworking, and creative, you will end up being recognized by the community for your talent, which is very rewarding!
Ben Reynolds is a Flash Game Developer who runs a tutorial blog at http://www.as3gametuts.com
AS3GameTuts is a free resource for beginner and intermediate game programmers. It features complete game tutorials from start to finish using Flash and the Actionscript 3.0 programming language. Visit AS3GameTuts.com for more programming tips and tutorials!

Video Game Jobs Are Waiting For You

So you wish to become employed in the video game industry, but unsure where to begin? Even though the rank of a game tester seems to be the one given the most buildup in the marketplace nowadays, there are a number of additional crucial professions within this industry that can still let you experience the thrill of being a part of an industry devoted to the improvement of gaming. Listed below are some career possibilities which are worth taking into consideration:
1. Employed as being a Video Game Clerk working at a video game outlet or rental location - either permanently or temporarily - has to be a teen gamer's fantasy. In just one location, employees have access to the first games and game systems hot off the market and they're privy to peek within magazines hot off the press sooner than anybody else. If that wasn't enough, gaming clerks receive a reduction on what would normally be too pricey (games, game systems, and accessories) to even consider buying. Sweet!
2. Employed as a Games Tester. Before a video game hits the marketplace, it has to go through extensive testing and if you think the software engineers behind the game test their own material, think yet again. The gaming industry is very sensitive about what it puts out into the public. In an effort to remain competitive, it must make completely sure that the games it produces work as intended. This is now where testers enter the operation. However it is not straightforward to be a game tester. Becoming a game tester necessitates a bit of inside help but when you are in there, you will not only have accessibility to games that no one else has learned about, you'll also have a chance to shape the game into an experience that you and your comrades like better.
3. Employed as a Game Designer. Do you have good quality creative skills? Are you able to whip out a character quicker than one could declare, I drew that? In that case, you might be able to get a career creating video games. Today's video games include examples of the most striking graphics ever seen and if you have a great imagination, are able to utilize a number of the most advanced graphics applications available, and can follow directions, you may catch sight of your own design in the next all the rage video game.
4. Hired as a Game Critic. The gaming industry is always seeking first-class content and if you have a skill for writing combined with a fondness for games, you possibly can write for magazines like Game Informer or you possibly can write content for a highly popular gaming website.
5. Hired as being a Game Programmer. Not a profession for everyone, a good game programmer is definitely in demand. As player preferences change and new know-how is developed, someone with the appropriate programming expertise must be there to fill the gap between what gamers want, and what the gaming industry can supply. Becoming a game programmer calls for extensive instruction in several distinctive development languages - so if you do not have a clue concerning what we just stated, omit this profession and consider a number of the others.
The best news about all of this is that the gaming industry exhibits no symptom of vanishing any time soon. Even colleges are getting in on the gaming obsession as they fill up their program books with game programming courses and creation curriculum. There'll always be a chance for you to combine your love for video with a dependable paycheck provided you remain devoted to seeking these job opportunities, and also you attempt to keep current of what's happening in the gaming world. Check the job part of your local paper for more information and visit the closest university to discover what courses and instruction are obtainable.
Make use of the Internet to find more details about the video game industry and perform some research into what the different jobs for instance a game tester are all about, the amount you can expect to be paid and the kinds of labor that you will be expected to be doing. There might even be books available on-line written by individuals inside the gaming industry that will help you find your first employment or offer you guidance on where to search or who to make contact with.
So regardless of whether you need the glamor of being a video game tester and be asked to play the most recent video games, or would rather work behind the scenes designing up-to-the-minute games, you'll find video game jobs most probably waiting for you within the video gaming industry. The crucial point now is for you to find the one best job suited to you!
Serious about employment in the video gaming industry? Visit the new video game jobs website if you are interested in learning more about what video game testers actually do at work, or how to find game tester jobs.

How to Get Cheat Codes

Cheating may spoil the game experience for some players, but for impatient gamers who want to unlock all the game's secrets, cheat codes are a blessing in disguise.
Why Cheat? 
Cheat codes are a sequence of passwords, keystrokes, or other tools used to unlock features and bonuses, or to aid the player to finish the game. Cheat codes are sometimes used by game programmers to debug or analyze flaws in the game; sometimes, the cheat codes remain with the game code when the game is released. Some video game publishers and developers may purposefully put cheat codes into the game to satisfy gamers.
Common Kinds of Cheat Codes 
For a password to be properly called a "cheat code," it must directly affect the gameplay. Visual effects and new sound effects from a secret password are not considered cheat codes. Here are some of the most common cheat codes in video games.
* God mode grants a player temporary or permanent invulnerability. 
* Unlimited resources may add more credits or mana to a player's resource pool or mana meter. Some cheat codes may do away with caps, and just give you unlimited resources to work with. 
* No clip is a cheat code used in action games and shooter games, and gives you the ability to walk through walls and other obstacles. No clip cheats may also give you the ability to fly. 
* Unlocked levels may include secret levels or rooms that can only be accessed with a cheat code. 
* Unlocked abilities and weapons, including infinite ammunition and new spells, can be attained through cheat codes.
The Internet
The Internet is your best resource for cheats. There are very few games without a cheat code, and there is no computer game out there that is completely cheat-proof. Here are some of the cheat codes and cheating tools you can get from the Internet:
* Actual codes. You can simply type the name of the game in a search engine, add "cheats" to the search string, and you can find an assortment of cheat codes on the Internet. Remember to surf safely, because many cheats may contain spyware or malware. 
* Strategy guides and walkthroughs are text documents that contain the complete details on how to play and complete a game. It may be a full plot for a role-playing game, strategies for a first-person shooter, or the complete movelist for a fighting game. 
* Saved games are usually used for console and PC games, where everything has been unlocked. Saved characters for role-playing games may also be used to give you a head-start in a game, although cheated and hacked characters can easily be detected in multiplayer games. 
* Trainers are used for many games where the manufacturer did not leave or release a cheat code. A trainer is a program that runs in the background of the game, and exploits loopholes in the programming code to allow a cheat. The cheat is activated through a series of hotkeys, usually bound to any of the function keys (F1 to F12). 
* Cheat hardware. When games still ran on cartridges, the Game Genie was a popular piece of hardware used to input cheat codes. Similar cheat hardware also include Pro Action Replay and Game Shark.
Programming
For those who want a challenge, programming is a very good way to cheat. Even the most thoroughly tested games in the world will have a few loopholes here and there that programmers and modders (people who modify games) can use to explore cheats and the limits of the game. Programming a cheat may be seen as unethical by some people, but some game programmers use the valuable information provided by people to make a more enjoyable, stable, and less vulnerable game.
For a complete step by step guide on How To Get Cheat Codes, Visit Monster Guide.

How To Be Successful With Android Game Development

Turning a leisure time activity or passion into full time profession could be a dream job and Android Game Development could be named one. The Android game developers come out with the best of ideas and create an explicit gaming arena. There are multiple categories based on the age groups, types, payment mode, and more. A large crowd is always drawn towards the free games on the Play Store. The growing market for Android and the recent advancements in technology has made the chances of Android Game market all the more high. Moreover the game lovers as well as the developers have a choice over 2D or 3D. There is also a wide variety to choose from simple to strategy to arcades to racing and even board games, all these with single and multiplayer mode.
When a developer has confirmed an Android platform for his games there are three aspects which he needs to consider the most and it includes-
Character modeling for 3D games - The characters created for 3D needs to hold unique character distinction. The character requires specific features like- facial expressions, signature style, exclusive costume designs, etc. All these traits make an identity for the designed character in the game.
Screen size- The screen size plays as a vital role and an important success rate factor. While developing a Smartphone game, the developer needs to remember this restriction, which varies from a mobile device to another. By enhancing the appropriate scale proportions in the application with the right coding process, the popularity steps up.
Enhanced game scenario- The gripping effects can be raised with its total look. The ultimate look provides feel and build the success.
A few more important aspects that an Android game developer needs to check on are -
- Game scenario- The entire feel is elevated by the scenario and the developer needs give special importance to this section. The landscape features and terrain optimization should be given equal importance as that of the characters.
- Game Programming- The requirement of an exceptional user-interface and challenging modes or levels ought to be there. These details will enhance in building it as a commercial hit.
- Most importantly the rankings of each game hold its success rate. Based on the ranking it will be flashed on the Play store's initial pages. If the gamers cannot be provided the specific interest factor, it can affect the review as well as its success.
Daniel is a copywriter interesting in iPad Games Zco and Android Games Zcocorp.
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