Domain
Game Development
Skill Profile
Game testing: playtesting, regression, automated game testing
Roles
6
where this skill appears
Levels
5
structured growth path
Mandatory requirements
24
the other 6 optional
Game Development
Game QA
3/17/2026
Choose your current level and compare expectations. The items below show what to cover to advance to the next level.
The table shows how skill depth grows from Junior to Principal. Click a row to see details.
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Game Designer | Required | Conducts playtesting of basic mechanics: checks game feel, balance, found bugs. Creates bug reports with clear reproduction steps and expected/actual behavior. Participates in QA process: smoke testing new builds, regression testing after fixes. |
| Game QA Engineer | Required | Performs basic functional game testing using prepared test cases. Reproduces bugs step by step, files defects in Jira specifying platform, build and screenshots. |
| Game Server Developer | Understands game server testing: load testing with simulated players, API contract tests, and replay-based regression testing. Validates game state consistency and anti-cheat rule enforcement. | |
| Unity Developer | Understands Unity testing workflows: Play Mode and Edit Mode tests, automated UI testing, and performance profiling. Runs test suites in CI and reports bugs with reproducible steps. | |
| Unreal Engine Developer | Understands Unreal project testing: Automation Framework, Functional Tests, Gauntlet for automated testing. Writes simple tests for game logic. Uses Session Frontend for test execution. | |
| XR Unity Developer | Required | Tests XR applications on target devices (Quest, PCVR). Performs manual testing of VR interactions and comfort. Documents VR-specific bugs. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Game Designer | Required | Designs and conducts structured playtests: usability testing, balance testing, difficulty curve evaluation. Creates test plans for game systems. Analyzes playtest data (video recordings, metrics, questionnaires) and formulates actionable improvements. Automates basic balance testing. |
| Game QA Engineer | Required | Independently conducts full cycle of functional and regression testing of game builds. Classifies defects by severity/priority, verifies compliance with TRC/TCR requirements from Sony/Microsoft. |
| Game Server Developer | Independently implements Game Testing and QA in dedicated servers/Photon. Optimizes performance. Works with profiler. | |
| Unity Developer | Develops testing infrastructure for Unity: integration tests with scene loading, automated UI tests, performance regression tests. Uses Unity Test Runner in CI/CD pipeline. Creates test fixtures for game systems. | |
| Unreal Engine Developer | Develops testing infrastructure for Unreal: automated gameplay tests, performance regression testing, screenshot comparison tests. Integrates testing into Horde CI pipeline. | |
| XR Unity Developer | Required | Develops test scenarios for XR: interaction testing, performance testing, comfort testing. Uses Unity Test Framework for XR logic. Automates basic tests. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Game Designer | Required | Designs comprehensive QA strategy for the game project: automated testing framework, performance testing, compatibility testing. Creates playtesting methodology: participant recruitment, session design, data analysis. Implements continuous testing in the development pipeline. |
| Game QA Engineer | Required | Designs testing strategy for AAA title: smoke, regression, certification, compatibility. Coordinates testing across platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch), builds coverage matrix. |
| Game Server Developer | Required | Designs solutions with Game Testing and QA for production games. Optimizes for target platforms. Mentors the team. |
| Unity Developer | Required | Designs testing strategy for large Unity projects: automated gameplay testing via recorded inputs, visual regression testing, load testing multiplayer. Implements chaos testing for networked games. |
| Unreal Engine Developer | Required | Designs testing strategy for AAA Unreal projects: automated playthrough testing, network testing, platform compliance testing. Implements chaos testing for multiplayer stability. |
| XR Unity Developer | Required | Designs testing strategy for XR project. Creates framework for automated XR testing. Implements CI-based performance regression testing. Introduces playmode tests for XR. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Game Designer | Required | Defines QA strategy for the project: testing pyramid, quality gates, release criteria. Builds QA team and processes. Coordinates internal and external playtesting. Creates a culture of quality in the game design team. Defines quality metrics and acceptance criteria. |
| Game QA Engineer | Required | Defines QA processes for the studio: implements risk-based testing, establishes quality metrics (defect leakage, escape rate). Manages QA team across multiple projects simultaneously. |
| Game Server Developer | Required | Defines technical strategy with Game Testing and QA. Establishes development standards. Coordinates technical direction. |
| Unity Developer | Required | Defines testing culture for Unity team. Establishes test coverage requirements, QA processes. Coordinates automated and manual testing. Implements shift-left testing practices. |
| Unreal Engine Developer | Required | Defines testing culture for the Unreal team. Establishes test coverage requirements, QA integration. Coordinates automated and manual testing teams for AAA quality bar. |
| XR Unity Developer | Required | Defines QA strategy for XR product. Coordinates testing across all platforms. Establishes quality gates for XR releases. |
| Role | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Game Designer | Required | Shapes enterprise QA strategy for the project portfolio. Defines shared testing infrastructure, quality standards, playtesting methodologies. Evaluates new approaches: AI-driven QA, procedural test generation, crowd-testing platforms for massive coverage. |
| Game QA Engineer | Required | Shapes enterprise QA strategy for publisher with 10+ title portfolio. Defines quality standards, implements shift-left approach and continuous testing in game pipeline. |
| Game Server Developer | Required | Defines the studio's technology strategy. Evaluates engine solutions. Shapes technical vision for game projects. |
| Unity Developer | Required | Defines testing strategy at studio level. Evaluates automated testing tools for games. Builds cross-project test infrastructure and quality gates for Unity products. |
| Unreal Engine Developer | Required | Defines testing strategy at studio level. Evaluates automated testing tools for AAA games. Shapes cross-project test infrastructure and quality standards. |
| XR Unity Developer | Required | Defines testing strategy for XR ecosystem. Shapes XR testing standards for the industry. |