How to hit the jackpot in the Software Testing career

Welcome to the thrilling world of online casinos! The virtual gaming experience has taken the world by storm, providing players with the convenience of playing their favorite games from anywhere and at any time. Whether you are relaxing at home or on the go, online casinos offer an unparalleled entertainment experience that keeps you coming back for more.

Gone are the days when slot games were just mindless spinning of reels. Nowadays, these games come with gripping storylines that capture your attention and leave you wanting more. As the online casino industry continues to evolve and innovate, software testing has become an essential aspect of ensuring that players have a seamless and enjoyable experience.

In this article, we will look into the exciting world of online casinos and explore the importance of Software Testing. You'll discover how rigorous testing can ensure that players have a glitch-free experience on their desktops, laptops, or mobile devices.

So buckle up and get ready for an adventure as we dive into the crucial role that software testing plays in the online casino industry.

Putting your luck to the Test(ing)

Testing online casino games is much more than just finding bugs. As testers, our mission is to ensure that the games meet all the requirements and specifications set by the product owners and clients.

According to the testing gurus, Michael Bolton and Iain McCowatt, testing is "the process of evaluating a product by learning about it through exploration and experimentation, which includes: questioning, study, modeling, observation and inference, output checking (...)" And let us tell you, testing online casino games is a blast!

We spend days poring over documentation, learning about game rules, expected players' behaviors, and designing test plans. Once we're ready, it's time to break the game! After hours of testing, we often find ourselves laughing and shouting "Bingo, Bingo, Bingo!"

Each game type presents its own unique challenges:

- Table games require us to dive deep into the game's logic, algorithms, and mathematics to ensure that all dealer actions are consistent with the rules.

- Spin games keep us on our toes as we check that the lines and credits pay out correctly, and that the symbol combinations trigger the right bonus features.

- Bingo games require making sure that the numbers called and marked on the cards match the expected patterns and values.

Raising the Bar: Ensuring Top-Quality Games

I can tell you that one of the biggest challenges I faced at first in the industry was learning all the rules for each game. Even now, I still keep the game manual close by, ready to consult whenever something seems off. With so many features and details to keep in mind, we need to pay attention to every little thing and be prepared to spot a bug at any moment.

But that's not all. Ensuring an enjoyable user experience for our players is just as crucial as verifying regulatory requirements and making sure the game works properly. That's why we follow a meticulous and rigorous testing process that covers all kinds of testing techniques.

1. Functionality Testing

This is the type of testing that ensures that the game functions as intended, that all the features are working correctly, and that the gameplay mechanics are properly applied.

Whether you're dealing with a classic game like Blackjack or a newer, more complex game, functional testing is key to ensuring an engaging and enjoyable player experience.

In a Blackjack game, functional testing would verify that the game rules are correct and that the game mechanics, such as dealing and card distribution, work seamlessly.

To achieve this, we simulate various scenarios, such as a player hitting or standing, and meticulously evaluate if the game correctly calculates the player's and the dealer's hand value, confirming if the outcome of each round is accurate. We also need to evaluate other options, such as insurance, dealers' commission on certain hands, and perfect pairs, to ensure that all payouts have the correct prize.

2. Compatibility Testing

Picture this: you've just developed a new online game and it's ready to be released. You can't wait for players to enjoy it, but you need to make sure it will work flawlessly on any device and browser out there. That's where compatibility testing comes in.

Compatibility testing is a crucial step in game development, as it ensures that the game runs smoothly on all devices and web browsers, regardless of their specifications. This involves analyzing the game's behavior and performance, looking for any issues or bugs that may affect player's experience.

In a slot game, we need to make sure that the reels spin seamlessly on any device, with all animations and transitions happening at the right time. We also need to check for any problems related to touch, slow loading times, or asset display.

Don't let technical issues ruin the fun for the players. By conducting rigorous compatibility testing, you can rest assured that the game will work perfectly, no matter where it's played.

3. Usability Testing

Our main goal is to ensure that players have the best possible experience when they play our online casino games. That's why usability testing is such an important part of the process.

Imagine you're playing a game of bingo. You want the interface to be easy to use and navigate, right? That's where usability testing comes in.

We focus on every aspect of the user experience, from the placement of the play and bet buttons to the layout of the balls and cards.

We also evaluate the game's user flow, ensuring that players can easily navigate from one round to the next. And we check the game's menu and help sections to make sure they provide clear and concise information on the game's rules and features.

By conducting usability testing, we can ensure that our games are not only functional but also intuitive and fun to play.

4. Game Logic Testing

When it comes to testing games, we need to go the extra mile just to make sure the game is playable and compatible. We need to ensure that the game’s logic and algorithms are working as intended, ensuring a fair and engaging experience for players.

Take, for example, a game that involves bets and values. By using boundary value analysis, we can test if the minimum and maximum bets are working properly. This is just one aspect of game logic testing, which requires a deep understanding of the game’s rules and mechanics, as well as knowledge of the proper testing techniques to be applied at each step.

But why is game logic testing so important? Simply put, it determines how the game behaves and operates. Ensuring that the game’s logic is working as intended assures players that they can trust the game’s outcomes and enjoy a fair gaming experience.

Testing Beyond Boundaries: Final Chapter

The world of online casino gaming is one of the most exciting and constantly evolving industries out there. As game testers, we play a vital role in ensuring that the games that players love are not only functioning properly but also delivering a spotless and enjoyable experience.

Whether we're putting our game logic testing skills to the test or conducting usability and compatibility testing, our goal is to provide the best possible gaming experience for end-users.

And the best part is that every day we get to discover new bugs, suggest improvements, and be a part of creating something truly special.

Of course, staying up to date with the latest technologies and trends is crucial in this ever-changing industry. But with the satisfaction of knowing that our hard work has contributed to the creation of an incredible gaming experience, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Want to be a Software Tester?

If you're considering a career in software testing, or you simply want to learn more about this exciting field, just know that working in the online casino industry is like hitting the jackpot every day. With every game we test, we get to contribute to something that brings joy and excitement to countless players around the world.

This article was written by our Gamer Rita Almeida, Software Test Analyst at Fabamaq