What does a game software regression tester do?

What is a Game Software Regression Tester?

Game software regression testers are quality assurance (QA) professionals responsible for testing video games to ensure that previously fixed bugs or existing game features have not regressed (i.e., broken again) after updates, patches, or new features have been added.

Without regression testing, new changes could unintentionally break core mechanics, introduce performance issues, or cause game crashes, leading to a frustrating player experience. By systematically re-testing and identifying regressions, these testers help maintain game stability, reduce development risks, and ensure a polished final product. Their work ultimately protects a game studio’s reputation and keeps players engaged by delivering a smooth, bug-free gaming experience.

What does a Game Software Regression Tester do?

Duties and Responsibilities
The primary focus of these testers is regression testing, which involves re-running test cases to verify that recent changes to the game’s codebase have not negatively impacted existing functionalities. Here’s a summary of what they do on a daily basis:

• Re-testing Fixed Bugs – Verify that resolved issues do not reappear.
• Checking for New Bugs – Ensure that new updates (features, patches) haven’t unintentionally caused regressions or broken existing features.
• Manual and Automated Testing – Run test cases, play through game scenarios, and use automated scripts to detect issues caused by recent code changes.
• Bug Reporting and Documentation – Log issues in bug-tracking systems (e.g., JIRA, TestRail) and provide detailed reports for developers.
• Collaboration with Developers – Work closely with programmers, designers, and other QA testers to ensure game stability before release.

Different Types of Game Software Regression Testers
There are different types of game software regression testers, depending on their focus, testing methods, and level of expertise:

• Manual Regression Testers play through specific parts of the game to check for regressions. They follow test cases and report any new or recurring issues. Manual regression testing is best for detecting visual, audio, or gameplay-related issues that automated tools might miss.
• Automated Regression Testers use scripts and testing tools (e.g., Selenium, Unity Test Framework) to automate regression testing. They have coding skills and run repeated tests quickly across multiple game builds. Automated regression testing is useful for testing large-scale games efficiently, especially for performance and compatibility issues.
• Functional Regression Testers focus on gameplay mechanics, controls, UI, and in-game features to ensure nothing breaks after updates. They verify that previous bug fixes remain effective.
• Performance Regression Testers check for FPS drops, memory leaks, lag, or crashes caused by updates. They often work with performance monitoring tools to track stability over time. An FPS (frames per second) drop occurs when an image is not drawn fast enough to be submitted to the graphics card on the next video frame. Instead of presenting the image, the content of the previous video frame is repeated. The new image is then presented in the following video frame.
• Compatibility Regression Testers test the game across different platforms (PC, consoles, mobile) to ensure updates don’t break compatibility. They verify that the game runs smoothly on various hardware configurations.
• Network and Multiplayer Regression Testers focus on online gameplay, matchmaking (the process of connecting players together for online play sessions), and server stability. They ensure patches or updates do not cause connectivity issues, desynchronization, or lag spikes.
• Security Regression Testers check for vulnerabilities that could be exploited after updates. They focus on preventing cheats, hacks, and data breaches in online games.
• UI/UX Regression Testers ensure that menus, HUD (the heads-up display or status bar by which information is visually relayed to the player as part of a game's user interface), fonts, and in-game interfaces remain visually and functionally intact after updates. They check for visual bugs, alignment issues, and broken UI interactions.
• Localization Regression Testers verify that translations, text displays, and region-specific content remain accurate and properly formatted after updates. They ensure cultural appropriateness and consistency in different language versions of the game.

It’s important to note that testers may specialize in one area, while others perform multiple types of regression testing.

What is the workplace of a Game Software Regression Tester like?

Game software regression testers can work for a variety of companies and organizations within the gaming industry. These are among their most common employers:

• Game Development Studios – Large studios (e.g., Ubisoft, EA, Rockstar Games) have dedicated QA teams that include regression testers. Mid-sized and indie studios also hire testers, though they may perform multiple QA roles beyond regression testing.
• QA Outsourcing Companies – Third-party QA firms (e.g., Keywords Studios, Lionbridge Games, VMC, Pole To Win) provide testing services to game developers. These companies often hire testers to work on multiple game titles for different clients.
• Game Publishers – Companies like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Activision Blizzard employ QA testers to ensure games meet platform and performance standards before release. They conduct rigorous regression testing to prevent major bugs from reaching players.
• Mobile Game Companies – Developers like Supercell, Tencent, and Zynga hire regression testers to ensure frequent updates don’t introduce new bugs in mobile games. Mobile games require extensive regression testing across various devices and operating systems.
• Cloud Gaming and Streaming Services – Companies like Google Play Games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and PlayStation Now employ testers to check for compatibility and performance regressions on cloud-based platforms.
• VR/AR Game Companies – Studios developing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) games (e.g., Meta, Valve, HTC, Niantic) require specialized regression testers to ensure updates don’t break immersive experiences.
• Indie Developers and Startups – Smaller studios may hire freelance or contract-based regression testers to assist with updates and patches. Testers in indie companies often wear multiple hats, handling both functional and regression testing.

The workplace of a game regression tester can vary depending on the employer, project, and work arrangement. However, testers typically have access to various gaming platforms, test devices, and debugging tools. In general, their workspace is a mix of office desks and gaming stations, equipped with multiple monitors, consoles, PCs and VR headsets. They may work independently on specific tasks or collaborate in QA teams, reporting directly to senior testers or QA leads.

Some companies allow remote testing, especially for freelancers, contract testers, or automated regression testers who use testing software. Remote testers need a stable internet connection, access to test builds, and communication tools like Slack, Jira, or Trello for reporting bugs.

The game testing field is fast-paced and deadlines can be tight, especially close to a game’s launch or prior to major updates, requiring overtime or extended work hours. Many companies, though, are working to improve work-life balance in QA roles. Some tasks may feel repetitive, but testers must stay focused to catch subtle regressions.