Game Development Essentials: Game Testing & QA explains the history of testing, basic and advanced techniques, educational background, and available online resources on testing. With Game Development Essentials: Game Testing & QA, dedicated gamers can learn what it takes to become a professional, well-paid QA or production testers - entering the game industry from the front door. Through first-hand experience and deep research, the authors shed light on the history of testing, basic and advanced techniques, job-hunting, and moving up in the ladder of game development.
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About the Author
Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Luis Levy was an extremely bright child but he had trouble with his fine motor skills. His mother, a progressive psychologist, saw playing video games as the perfect remedy. She knew from early studies that games could help him fine-tune his movements in a fun and effective way - and that's precisely what she did. On Luis' ninth birthday, he received a Sega Master System as a gift from his parents. The console's pioneering 3D graphics with special LCD glasses took Luis' imagination and dexterity to a whole new level. Games like "Phantasy Star" and "Space Harrier" also taught him his first words in English. As he grew up, Luis began creating batch programs in DOS for an old PC XT and even played "Prince of Persia" on the computer's rusty green screen monitor. He also took a major interest in all kinds of films, becoming a film buff and a member of a very exclusive film club at age 16. By that time, he had become the main "movie critic" for friends and family and also an expert in both hardware and software. Luis wrote intricate short stories and shot award-winning documentaries at Brazil's renowned private film school, FAAP receiving a B.A. in Film and Television. He also made a daring trip to Brasilia, the country's capital, in a bus filled with homeless children and adults.
Jeannie Novak is the lead author and series editor of the widely acclaimed GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS series (with over 15 published titles), co-author of PLAY THE GAME: THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES, and co-author of three pioneering books on the interactive entertainment industry--including CREATING INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT. She is also co-founder of Novy Unlimited and CEO of Kaleidospace, LLC (dbaIndiespace), providing curriculum development and consulting services for corporations, educators, and creative professionals in games, music, film, education, and technology.Novak served as director of the Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation programs at the Art Institute Online and has taught game courses at UCLA, Art Center College of Design, DeVry University, Westwood College, ITT Technical Institute, and the Academy of Entertainment & Technology at Santa Monica College. She holds a B.A. in mass communication/business administration from UCLA and an M.A. in communication management from the Annenberg School at USC. She also serves on the Online Gameplay Committee for the Academy of Interactive Arts &Sciences and has served on the executive boards of the International Game Developers Association (Los Angeles) and Women in Games International. An accomplished composer and performer, Novak was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people in technology by MicroTimesmagazine and has been profiled by CNN, Billboard Magazine, the Sundance Channel, Daily Variety, and the Los Angeles Times.
Jeannie Novak is the lead author and series editor of the widely acclaimed GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS series (with over 15 published titles), co-author of PLAY THE GAME: THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES, and co-author of three pioneering books on the interactive entertainment industry--including CREATING INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT. She is also co-founder of Novy Unlimited and CEO of Kaleidospace, LLC (dbaIndiespace), providing curriculum development and consulting services for corporations, educators, and creative professionals in games, music, film, education, and technology.Novak served as director of the Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation programs at the Art Institute Online and has taught game courses at UCLA, Art Center College of Design, DeVry University, Westwood College, ITT Technical Institute, and the Academy of Entertainment & Technology at Santa Monica College. She holds a B.A. in mass communication/business administration from UCLA and an M.A. in communication management from the Annenberg School at USC. She also serves on the Online Gameplay Committee for the Academy of Interactive Arts &Sciences and has served on the executive boards of the International Game Developers Association (Los Angeles) and Women in Games International. An accomplished composer and performer, Novak was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people in technology by MicroTimesmagazine and has been profiled by CNN, Billboard Magazine, the Sundance Channel, Daily Variety, and the Los Angeles Times.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I get a lot of game books sent to me for review; I let Game QA&Testing get lost in the stack, assuming it would be some "idiot's guide" for people who want to get into the industry but don't really have a shot... I was completely wrong. Game QA & Testing is an excellent book for anyone seriously considering QA as a career. It explains the advantages and hurdles as well as brings a level of professionalism to the profession which is often lacking in the industry.
This is a book that I would not only recommend for every QA person and QA hopeful but also for producers and designers who want a better understanding of how QA should work.
James Portnow
CEO Divide by Zero Games
This is a book that I would not only recommend for every QA person and QA hopeful but also for producers and designers who want a better understanding of how QA should work.
James Portnow
CEO Divide by Zero Games
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Nestath
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Amazing reading for game QA and testers, professionals or enthusiasts. soft reading and a great content like every book of this amazing series Game Development Essentials.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As with all the Game Development Essentials I found this book to have plenty of information on Video Game QA & Testing as well as giving you a heads up on how to get in to the industry as a whole. I found this incredibly helpful and I've read it from cover to cover a few times in the last few weeks.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Well developed. I liked the added comments from people in the industry that was added to the book. It really added to the learning experience.
Published 2 months ago by Thomas Bono
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very Weak on actual Testing
This is first review I have written for amazon. Usually I am inline with what other write about a book and feel no need to add any comments. Read more
Published on January 4, 2011 by BC Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
This GDE is Essential for QA Testers
GDE is a series of books developed solely for collegiate learning regarding technology and gaming. This specific title is geared to QA testers and 'wanna-be' QA testers. Read more
Published on July 13, 2010 by A. Decicco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Introduction to Gaming!
Luis and Jeannie's book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking for a way to get into the video game industry or to start up their own company. Read more
Published on October 29, 2009 by Michael E. Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative
Jeannie and Luis have done a great job with this book, lots of inside advice from professionals in the gaming industry. Read more
Published on October 27, 2009 by Dr. Awesome
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource for game testing info!
The Game Development Essentials series continues to get better every year. Having started my career in QA and as a contributor to the series I know what an excellent resource this... Read more
Published on October 23, 2009 by Starr M. Long
5.0 out of 5 stars
Game QA and Testing is perfect for aspiring Video Game Testers or...
Luis and Jeannies book; Game QA & Testing is a must have for any aspiring game tester. It covers everything from what to expect before we start in the field of Video Game Testing,... Read more
Published on August 14, 2009 by Nicholas W. Spanfellner
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