Automated Regression Testing within Video Game Development

Abstract

Automated testing reduces the costs of software
development. We propose a testing model that is specifically
designed for the creation and execution of fully automated
regression tests within video game development without the need
of test isolation. The proposed model combines the usability and
veracity of record and playback techniques and the possible test
coverage of tests written in a game specific scripting language.
The model has an intuitive structure that enables professional
video game testers to create meaningful tests by using only a
rudimentary set of programming skills within a graphical user
interface. The resulting tool establishes a network connection
with one or several concurrently running applications under test
while the required performance can be distributed between
several dedicated computers. The application under test is
modified to process incoming function calls and to generate
output that is used to dynamically control the course of the tests
and to evaluate if the tested application operates within
acceptable parameters.