Since we visited Ubisoft Pune last weekend, we managed to get some one on one time with QC manager Rahul Khatal. I got to ask Rahul some questions about getting a start in the game development industry and the world of game testing in general.


QC Manager at Ubisoft Pune, Rahul Khatal.
For the sake of those who don't know what QA testing is, what does it usually entail?

We at Ubisoft Pune do both QA testing and QC Testing. To put it simply it is game testing.

QA testing activity is done at a very low scale in the Pune studio and it is very much focused more on Developer requests to debug certain module of the game or a feature wherein a Dev Tester plays a role to ensure this is taken care of.

QC testing is the one of the major activity we do at Ubisoft Pune. It entails identification of bugs/defects which arises during the developmental course of the game. In essence it means playing the game over and over again to spot and report bugs in the game so that they are fixed by the developers and the end users experience of playing the games is a fun experience. Identifying bugs in a game software is not merely finding graphical glitches which are visually evident but it has lot of layers to it. As game testers we are introduced/ exposed to large canvas of bugs for e.g.:- AI, Animation, Graphics, Lighting, Ambiance, Enviornment, Physics, Engine, Sound etc. as compared to software testing where it is more restricted towards UI, Database, Functionality, Browsers and OS.

In a nutshell QA testing in games is similar to what Software testing [manual testing specifically] is all to software, it is just that as game testers we get to play & test the interactive software [games] J and software testers get to test the application software.


For yearly franchises like the AC series, time is likely one of the biggest constraints. How have you innovated the QA process to work within the amount of time available?

Yes, timeline is one of the biggest challenge I would say instead of constraint when it comes to titles, be it one of those under the AC franchise or any other titles [AAA only] which are of similar magnitude. To deal with this challenge - We at Ubisoft follow extremely structured and streamlined processes specially tailored to meet aggressive deadlines while making no compromises game quality. Having a good test plan and executing it to perfection helps to achieve greater results within the allotted timeline .QC teams are very much involved from the beginning of the development cycle of the game.

It is said that an aspiring game developer's first steps into the industry are often through the QA department. How true is this?

This is true to a great extent, let’s say our QC community has always been an entry point for budding profiles who aspire to be part of the production teams in the form of level designers, game designers, developers, and even producers etc. Today in Ubisoft Pune, I’ve seen people from QC having the right skillset shift into development, design and production. It’s not just the story with Ubisoft Pune, but most of the other Ubisoft studios worldwide.

What are the qualifications and criteria you usually look for when hiring new QA testers?

Qualification wise we do not adhere to any particular criteria as such. However we do look for specific personal traits be it a student or a graduate. We hire profiles who have good interpersonal and communication skills, basic knowledge of MS Office, eye for details, logical reasoning, ability to be a team player and the most important is passion towards the gaming industry.

What future opportunities do QA testers usually have to look forward to in Ubisoft Pune?

We boast our organized and disciplined hierarchal structure that has different levels for testers and specialists. This has helped them evolve within their respective career paths. As we are also collaborating a lot with offshore development teams, such collaboration with studios brings onsite opportunities for testers/leads to work with closely with development teams. We have also offered our fellow QC members with a great opportunity to be a part of Ubisoft Pune production team. We at Ubisoft Pune are constantly growing and evolving, which brings a lot of opportunities for QC testers in terms of future growth both personally and professionally. I would say that with the right balance of passion and skills, the sky is the limit.


How difficult is it to get into the world of game design for a complete newbie?

Let me put it this way: you have to study a lot if you want to do this job. You’ll need to learn game design theory and to improve your general knowledge. Everything will be useful sooner or later. If you lose interest in the world and in all of its marvels, you just can’t be a good game designer. If you want to design games, you should start designing games. You can design games with a deck of cards, with index cards and a pen, don’t forget a pen. You can do it with some poker chips, with some lego bricks, with an old chess board. Your first lesson is: “games are not their graphics”. Or their framerate. They are their rules. You can start making games with whatever you have in hand. Creativity is the key in game design and if a person is creative he/she can definitely get into game design.

What are some of the major games that had their QA testing done in Ubisoft Pune?

We have an expertise on almost all available gaming consoles and on emerging mobile platforms of the world-wide market. Our current portfolio of services includes Functionality, Compliance, Compatibility and Epilepsy tests. The team has worked on major console AAA titles such as Splinter Cell: Blacklist, - Splinter Cell Trilogy HD, Prince of Persia Classic, Far Cry Classic, Assassins Creed: Black Flag, The Crew, Rayman Origins & Legends, South Park The Stick of Truth, Trials Fusion and Just Dance [all of them].

On mobile platform, our team has worked on major titles such as Rayman Jungle Run [awarded as the BEST GAME APP by Apple in 2013], Trials Frontier, Horse Haven, Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame Valiant Hearts, and Just Dance Now etc.

What can a QA tester expect to learn on the job?

How to work in a cubicle free environment! At Ubisoft one very important thing to experience is an open learning environment, a platform to showcase ones creativity, complete knowledge of game making process. Each new game is different, be it the genre, or the gameplay. In order to ensure that the quality of the game lives by the mandate of the designer, the game testers need to ensure that all relevant realistic elements in the game match with the reality. For ex. while working on car racing games like The Crew, the teams learnt a lot about the various cars and its specifications.

Do you have a message for aspiring game developers in India?

An aspiring Game Programmer should have interest in playing games, which creates Passion towards developing or creating their own games. And this Passion is what drives a Programmer to be a Game Programmer or a Game Developer. But only playing games will not help, you need to acquire skills which will make you industry ready. Focus on basics of technology, its limits and concentrate on delivering excellent product.