Through Master of the Game, we sit down with Gameloft experts to explore the craft, decisions, and lessons behind building games enjoyed by millions of players around the world.
This time, we spoke with Georgi Todorov, Lead QA at Gameloft Sofia, to get an inside look at the everyday decisions, hidden challenges, and best practices that help ensure players enjoy a polished and engaging experience. From deciding when a build is ready for release to thinking like a player, Georgi shares what it takes to be a great Game QA and why the role is about much more than just finding bugs.
Read on to discover his insights on what makes a great Game QA, the challenges behind testing, and the mindset needed to deliver the best possible player experience.
Q1 – What's a decision in your field that seems small but can have a huge impact on the player experience?
Deciding whether an update is ready for release. It may seem like a simple decision, but in reality, knowing when "good enough" is actually good enough is one of the hardest parts of game development. No build in a live-service game is ever completely bug-free, so the challenge is understanding which issues could seriously affect the player experience and determining whether they can be resolved after release or need to be addressed beforehand.
Q2 – In your job, what's something that matters more than people expect?
Creative thinking. There's a common misconception that QA is just about following a checklist. In reality, some of the most important issues are found by thinking outside the box and imagining all the unexpected ways players might interact with the game.
Q3 – What's a challenge in your field that players rarely notice?
The amount of regression testing behind every update. Players only see the final result, but we constantly replay and retest the game across all supported platforms to make sure fixing one bug hasn't unintentionally introduced several others. When everything runs smoothly, that effort often goes unnoticed, but it's a critical part of ensuring players have the best possible experience.
Q4 – What are 5 tips that make a great Game QA?
- Prioritize your work every day and focus on what matters most.
- Communication is key. If something isn't clear, ask.
- Stay curious and always look beyond the obvious.
- Think like a player, not just a QA.
- Understand the game's design so you can identify not only what's technically broken, but also what doesn't feel right for the player.
