Secrets of Bug Tracking in Game Development

Bug tracking first appeared in programming history with the work of Grace Hopper in 1947. Being part of the team that built one of the first computers, the Mark II, she ran into a problem. The machine suddenly stopped working. As a result of a thorough inspection, an insect (literally a “bug”) was discovered that had clogged one of the computer relays.

Since then, bug tracking has been an integral element of any software development. Effective bug tracking allows you to save not only time on software development, but money. After all, the cost of fixing a bug after release can be a thousand times higher.

Do you develop and test games and want to learn the secrets of bug tracking? Read this article!

1. Why use bug tracking systems in game development?

In the global video game industry, estimated at $217 billion in 2022 , the quality of the game largely determines its success. Knowing the fastidiousness of modern consumers, it is easy to guess that many will abandon the game if they encounter a serious bug. The loss of the consumer equals the loss of profit. Therefore, it is important to use bug tracking to ensure product quality and player satisfaction.

Now let's understand the terminology. Bug tracking is the process of tracking and managing errors (bugs) in software. Bug tracking involves reporting bugs, classifying them by severity, assigning them to the appropriate developers for fixes, and testing the fixes.

Using a bug tracking system increases transparency for the entire team and helps improve communication between developers, testers and project managers.

2. What is special about bug tracking in game development?

In the development of any software, bug tracking is a process that ensures software errors are detected, documented, classified, corrected, and retested in a timely and accurate manner.

Bug tracking in game development has its own specific features and challenges, since it is different from bug tracking for most other types of software. Let's look at them!

• A huge number of variations. Games typically have many more possible variations in user interaction, making the process of identifying and reproducing bugs more difficult.
• Graphic and interface errors. In addition to code and logic related bugs, games are also prone to graphical and interface bugs such as problems with animation, textures, UI or display.
• Performance and optimization. Games need to run smoothly on a variety of platforms and systems, making performance and optimization bugs an important part of the bug tracking process.
• Game balance. In games, bugs can affect not only its performance, but also the balance of the game. This may include problems with game mechanics, artificial intelligence, difficulty, etc.
• Interaction between players. Multiplayer games introduce additional complexity as bugs can affect interactions between players, requiring an additional level of testing and debugging.
• User experience. In games, bugs can greatly impact the player experience, making bug tracking and fixing especially important to ensure a positive user experience.

Bug tracking in game development requires specialized tools and skills, as well as close collaboration between developers, testers, and game designers.

3. What can be considered effective bug tracking?

Basic bug tracking principles in game development don’t differ from bug tracking in other areas of software development. However, games are unique and complex systems that have specific bug tracking requirements.

Below is a detailed description of the process of bug tracking in game development, starting with general principles and moving on to game-specific features:

1. Identification.

Errors are detected manually or automatically. The gaming industry places a strong emphasis on user experience, so "play" testing methods are often used. The tester literally plays the game to find bugs.

2. Documentation.

Documenting a bug includes information about how to reproduce the bug, what happens when the bug occurs, and what should happen instead. Games may also include screenshots, videos, or error logs to illustrate the issue.

3. Classification.

Bugs are rated based on severity and importance of correction. The rating affects the priority of the bug in the fix queue. In games, this can be due to both technical problems (for example, game crashing) and gameplay problems (for example, an unbalanced difficulty level).

4. Appointment for correction.

Based on the assessment of the bug, it is assigned to a specific developer or development team for fixing.

5. Correction and rechecking.?

The developer fixes the bug and returns the element to testing for rechecking. In games, be sure to check not only the fixes, but also other parts of the game that may have been affected by the changes.

6. The bug is closed.?

The bug is marked as fixed and closed in the bug tracking system.

The core of an effective bug tracking process in game development is transparency, constant communication and collaboration between teams, and the use of the right bug tracking tools that can handle the unique requirements and complexities of games.

4. What tools can be used for bug tracking?

You can track bugs manually, without resorting to any tools. However, this will take up more of your resources. The tools are especially useful for large projects or teams, as they make it easier to manage multiple bugs and help in coordination between different team members. The tools below help Cherish DEV in game testing.

• Jira – offers flexible customization options, integration with a wide range of other development tools and supports Scrum, Kanban and mixed methodologies.
• Bugzilla – an open and free bug tracking tool that is widely recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness. Bugzilla includes basic bug tracking functions and has search and filtering capabilities.
• MantisBT – an open source bug tracking tool that offers a simple and intuitive interface with basic bug tracking functions.
• Trello – although Trello is a project management tool, many teams use it for bug tracking. Its simplicity, visuality and flexibility make it suitable for small and medium-sized projects.

It's important to remember that choosing a bug tracking tool should be based on your specific needs and the preferences of your team. A good bug tracking tool should be easy to use, but at the same time have enough flexibility and power to handle your workflow.

For greater efficiency, you should resort to automation. Automating bug tracking in games significantly increases the efficiency of the process. It saves time in generating and processing error reports and reduces human error by standardizing data recording. Additionally, integration with other tools such as version control systems or test automation tools allows for centralized and smoother management of the entire development process.

Conclusion

Bug tracking is a critical element in the game development process. It allows teams to quickly and efficiently identify, document, and correct errors. This results in quality games that provide a great user experience. With the proper use of bug tracking tools and techniques such as automation, teams can greatly improve the efficiency of their bug tracking processes and make the complex task of game quality assurance smoother and easier to navigate. Bug tracking is not just about finding and fixing errors; this is the key to improving the overall quality of the product, increasing user satisfaction and ultimately the success of your game in the market.