Introduction

Certification testing is a vital part of the game development process and is necessary to guarantee that games released on platforms like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo meet the demanding standards of quality and performance expected by gamers. This testing process involves adhering to strict standards and guidelines, such as Microsoft XRs, Sony TRCs, and Nintendo Lot Checks, to confirm that the game is suitable for release.

Microsoft Xbox Requirements (XRs), are guidelines that video game developers must follow when creating games for the Xbox platform. The XRs outline a comprehensive list of technical requirements that games must meet, including compatibility with different hardware and software configurations, performance criteria, and other technical standards.

Similarly, the Technical Requirements Checklists (TRCs) set by Sony are guidelines for video game developers creating games for the PlayStation platform. These requirements cover various technical aspects such as compatibility with different hardware and software configurations, performance criteria, and other technical standards that the games must meet.

Nintendo Lot Checks are a series of evaluations that are performed on video games that are intended for release on the Nintendo platform. These checks evaluate the game's performance, stability, compatibility, and overall quality, and they are designed to ensure that the games released on the Nintendo platform meet the high standards of quality and performance demanded by gamers.

There are two parts of certification testing in the video game world – pre-certification and final certification testing. Pre-certification testing is performed by your internal or outsourced QA team and evaluates all the test cases identified in the TRCs, XRs, and Lot Checks, just like final certification. In addition, pre-certification provides developers with the opportunity to resolve any bugs before submitting to platform holders, thus increasing the likelihood of a successful first pass. Final certification testing occurs when the final or release build is sent to the individual platform manufacturing teams to be tested by their resources.

TestFly quality assurance (QA) teams ensure that games meet the established standards for each gaming platform. We have a thorough understanding of the technical requirements set by each platform, as well as the skills and tools required to test the games against these requirements.

In this blog, we will delve into pre-certification testing, examining the optimal timing for performing it and highlighting the common defect areas that our testing has revealed. By addressing these key areas during pre-certification testing, video game developers can improve the chances of a successful certification process and a positive player experience.