Types of Game Testing -Compatibility Testing

Compatibility testing is normally required only for PC titles, and testers assigned to this task are expected to have at least basic knowledge of PC hardware. An individual who can assemble their own PCs and setup an operating system is minimally qualified for this job. Compatibility testing differs from functionality testing in that the tester does not really care whether the game itself is correct, but simply that it runs on different configurations of hardware. The tester is usually provided with multiple PCs and/or extra parts. This collection of hardware encompasses various brands of CPUs, video cards, sound cards, and input peripherals such as gamepads and joysticks, and possibly other components as well. The tester is also expected to cross-test different hardware configurations with different operating systems. In addition to a basic pass/fail test, the tester may also be asked to evaluate performance. The results of these performance tests will be used to determine the game's advertised minimum system requirements. In some cases, compatibility or performance issues may be fixed by the developer, especially if a popular brand and model of a certain component is affected. In other cases, especially with legacy hardware or software, support will simply be dropped, and the game's system requirements will reflect this.