The Future of Game Quality
The Future of Game Quality:
The past year in the gaming industry has evolved at a rapid pace, with new technologies and trends shaping the way games are developed, tested and enjoyed by players worldwide. The US video game market was worth $42.8 billion in 2022, and in the past years, it has grown exponentially. This can be seen from the changes in player demographics and the increase in the number of gamers globally, and through the rise of casual gamers. Our report, Gaming Revolution: Unveiling the Global Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Gaming Industry, cited Japan and Canada as "noteworthy" markets, with growth forecast at 2.9% and 4.1% respectively between now and 2030. Within Europe, Germany is expected to grow at around 3.5% CAFR in the same period. So, the roles of Quality Assurance (QA), Localization and Player Community and Support are becoming even more crucial.
Quality Assurance:
Quality Assurance has always been a cornerstone of game development, a role which ensures that games are bug-free and work smoothly before they are released to the public. They are responsible for testing, creating test plans, identifying and reporting issues, verifying fixes, providing feedback and supporting user research plus much more. However, with the rise of AI and machine learning, QA processes are becoming more efficient and sophisticated. “I’ve noticed that the push for automation is becoming more and more evident across all companies,” says Evgeny Kolev, QA Manager, SEGA Sofia.
He goes on to say, “It is only just starting, so I think we will see actual big benefits of AI in the next couple of years.” Automated testing tools can now identify and fix issues faster than ever before, allowing QA teams to focus more on complex tasks that require human intuition and creativity. Kolev agrees when he says “The top priority is to remove all the repetitive work we do in QA. There are a lot of daily tests which we run over and over, which can be handled by AI.”
So, the integration of AI in QA is helping to predict potential issues before they arise, leading to a more productive approach. This shift not only improves the overall quality of games but also reduces the time and cost associated with traditional repetitive QA processes, freeing up employees’ time to work on the more creative elements of the job, such as how the game can be broken in unexpected and interesting ways.
Localization:
As the gaming audience becomes more diverse, the importance of localization cannot be overstated. Localization goes beyond mere translation; it involves adapting a game to fit the cultural and linguistic nuances of different regions. This ensures that players from around the world can enjoy a game in their native language and cultural context. They are reliable for translating, modifying and adapting games to create an immersive experience that makes the game feel like it was created for the target audience – it is a complex job that involves many stakeholders including developers, product managers, translators and marketing specialists.
The future of localization is set to be revolutionized by advancements in AI and natural language processing. These technologies are making it easier to localize games quickly and accurately, without losing the essence of the original content. Additionally, the use of AI-driven tools can help identify cultural sensitivities and preferences, ensuring that games resonate with players on a deeper level. Katerina Florinskaya, Head of Localization, Strikerz says, “I like the idea that we can use AI for really good mock-ups, both for UI translations and for voice-overs.” In terms of the future of Localization, Florinskaya goes on to share that she thinks that there will be some “major results in AI development. So far, the AI integrations were on their trial stage or were not fully implemented into regular pipelines. We might also see how the market is divided into two parts: a lower, cheaper segment with AI translations and recordings, and a top-grade tier with real translators and editors with real voice-over actors.”
Player Community and Support:
Player Community and Support is another critical aspect of game quality. It involves engaging with players, addressing their concerns, and fostering a positive gaming environment. As games become more complex and multiplayer-focused, the need for robust community support systems is more important than ever. This means providing a friendly and responsive service to players, helping solve their issues and improving their overall gaming experience. This may then extend to developing community-building initiatives, acting as a liaison between the organisation and the audience and monitoring audience behaviour.
The future of player community support lies in leveraging AI and data analytics to provide personalized and timely assistance to players. Jana Csanyi, Community Management Lead, Pixel Federation says, “Looking into the future, AI holds the potential to revolutionise both the back-end development and front-end experiences in gaming” and how AI aids in creating games but also elevates the direct player experience. One of the most notable impacts has been through the automation of support services. This is seen in the form of AI-powered chatbots and support systems which can handle routine queries, freeing up human agents to tackle more complex issues. In turn, this not only improves the player experience but also allows the team to focus on more complex problems that require more of a personal touch.
The Role of GQF in Shaping the Future of Game Quality:
Events like the Game Quality Forum (GQF) play a pivotal role in shaping the future of game quality. GQF brings together professionals from QA, Localization, and Player Community and Support to share insights, discuss challenges and explore innovative solutions to the most pressing industry challenges. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, GQF helps the gaming community stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering high-quality gaming experiences and continues to bring the global community together during these ever-changing and fast-moving industry times to ensure leaders can learn from each other and share ideas on how they are directly tackling problems within the industry.
Conclusion:
The future of game quality is bright, with advancements in AI and technology paving the way for more efficient and effective QA, Localization, and Player Community and Support processes. As the gaming industry continues to grow, the roles of these unsung heroes will become even more critical in ensuring that games are not only functional and bug-free but also culturally relevant and engaging for players worldwide. By embracing these changes and continuing to innovate, the gaming community can look forward to a future where game quality reaches new heights.
