Task 1B - Game Test Defects

Function Defect: A function defect is when program code is missing or ineffective, this means that the games the capability will be affected or the player’s experience will not be how it should be. An example of this would be if the player tried to hit a trigger on their controller to complete an action in game such as shooting, but if the game doesn’t react then there is a function defect causing the game to not work properly.

Assignment Defect: An assignment defect is when a value within the software is set incorrectly, this can lead to an experience that can either benefit the player or punish them. An example of this would be if in game the player was intended to start of with 10 gold coins but instead received 10,000. This would allow the player to buy equipment without having earned it themselves and may even buy the best equipment that overpowers them at the start.

Checking defect: A missing check defect is when there is a missing check or one improperly defined in the coding. This can punish the user harshly as code is a very vital part of any software, an example of a missing check defect is if the player were to walk on certain flooring in a game and the player falls straight through.

Timing defect: A timing defect is where something in the software doesn’t validate too early or later than it should, this is a minor defect and is more of an annoyance than a bad defect. An example of this would be slow rendering within a game, If a model appears with not texture or very low graphic texture but slowly morphs for the player to clearly see then it is a timing defect.

Build/package/merge defect: A build/package/merge defect is where the software cannot work due to conflicts between two means in the software, an example of this would be trying to use a model in a non-updated version that is supposed to be in an updated version causing the software to conflict with it’s knowledge and turn off or reset.

Algorithm defect: An algorithm defect is where some of the code is faulty causing some algorithms to go haywire and mess up the software, an example of an algorithm defect is if say a player is walking through an area and all the AI will start to act strange such as walking into walls, fighting one another without being provoked etc. 

Documentation defect: A documentation defect is where software has a problem with pre fixed assets in game, an example would be if a player was in a cut-scene and had subtitles on and the subtitles read something completely different to what the character said or the graphics of said content start to mess up and shows that the texture or design is out of place.