What happens if your game lags, crashes, or takes too long to load? Players leave. A staggering 55% of iGaming players leave within their first year, usually due to frustrating performance issues. In a world where every second matters, performance is the deciding factor.
Think about this: a player is ready to start a game, but instead of seamless gaming, they encounter delays, stuttering graphics, or a crash that forces them to restart. It’s enough to sway them toward your competition.
This is why performance testing is imperative. It guarantees smooth, uninterrupted gameplay across all devices, even under varying network conditions and at peak traffic times. Whether it’s a fast-paced crash game like Aviator or an immersive live dealer experience, every aspect of the game must function smoothly. Without performance testing, you risk losing players’ trust in the platform.
At TESTA, we go beyond standard testing procedures. Our network of professional testers spans over 60 countries and 265 cities; we test on real devices in real-world settings. This crowdsourced approach uncovers issues that automation ignores, providing operators with the insights they need to optimize their systems for optimal player experience.
Curious how performance testing can take your iGaming platform to the next level? Find out how our real-world performance testing can optimize your platform for seamless gameplay.
Source: https://www.scaleo.io/blog/player-retention-metrics-the-key-to-long-term-igaming-profitability
- Why performance testing is essential for seamless iGaming experiences
- Limitations of emulators and simulators in iGaming performance testing
- Importance of real-device performance testing in iGaming
- TESTA’s approach to performance testing
- Key performance tests for iGaming Platforms
- Best practices to maximize platform performance
- Identifying hidden performance bottlenecks
- Conclusion
Why performance testing is essential for seamless iGaming experiences
A game that lags, has poor A/V sync, takes too long to launch or crashes will instantly turn players away. Performance testing makes certain that your platform provides a flawless user interface across a variety of devices and network situations, from high-end PCs to smartphones and tablets with irregular connectivity.
It’s about more than just doing well under standard circumstances. Reliability during peak traffic and high-stakes gameplay is what truly matters. A consistent, high-quality experience keeps players interested and returning, increasing retention and strengthening your brand reputation.
Performance testing ensures compliance and security, as well as satisfying regulatory standards and minimizing risks. It is the bedrock for player satisfaction and long-term success in the iGaming industry.
Find out how essential performance testing is for your iGaming offering!
Role of performance testing in improving user retention
What inspires players to stay on your platform rather than migrate to a competitor? A smooth and dependable gaming experience. Performance testing ensures that your platform fulfils these expectations by identifying and addressing issues such as long load times, lag, A/V sync and crashes—before they disrupt the actual user experience.
Fast load times and smooth gameplay are crucial to ensure player engagement. When games respond instantly without interruption, players stay longer and return for more. This consistency enhances the user experience and fosters trust in the platform.
In a market with plenty of choices, performance testing provides a competitive advantage. It is not merely about fixing bugs. It is about delivering an experience that keeps players engaged and invested.
Addressing peak traffic and high-stakes gameplay scenarios
Is your platform equipped to handle peak traffic or high-stakes events? Tournaments and promotions will test your platform’s limits, and failure to perform harms not just revenue but your reputation. Performance testing ensures your platform performs when it matters the most.
This testing goes beyond regular checks, mimicking real-world scenarios to determine how your platform handles spikes in usage. It identifies bottlenecks and stress points that only appear under high loads, allowing you to adjust for smooth performance. Whether it’s maintaining lightning-fast load times or ensuring seamless gaming, extensive performance testing enhances your platform’s dependability during crucial times.
When players experience optimal performance in high-demand environments, it builds trust and loyalty. This level of preparation sets your platform apart and ensures success even in the most challenging circumstances.
Fair and consistent gameplay for all users
Even small gameplay irregularities might lead to frustration and disengagement. Variability in devices, operating systems, network conditions, and hardware can create an uneven playing field, affecting the user experience.
Evaluation of performance uncovers these disparities, guaranteeing a consistent experience for all players, regardless of device or connection speed. By resolving these friction points, operators can offer constant, high-quality games, fostering trust and increasing player retention.
This approach promotes fairness while ensuring compliance with regulatory organizations’ accessibility and inclusion norms. It establishes your platform as a dependable, trustworthy option for players, increasing loyalty across all demographics.
Ensuring data protection and player trust
According to 2024 research, fraud in the online gaming sector surged by 64% on average year over year, highlighting the critical need for robust data protection systems. Safeguarding sensitive player data is paramount.
Real-device testing plays an important role in figuring out and resolving vulnerabilities that put data security at risk. By proactively identifying these threats, operators can avoid breaches and maintain player trust.
Maintaining compliance is essential given the prevalence of evolving regulations such as GDPR and PCI DSS. Noncompliance could end up in hefty fines and reputational damage. Real-device performance certification guarantees that platforms meet these dynamic requirements and provide a safe environment for players.
Validating platform scalability for future growth
The iGaming sector is expanding at unprecedented rates. As time progresses, you must keep up with growing user numbers and new markets. Scalability requires all systems to be in sync.
Real-device performance testing is indispensable for making sure infrastructure can handle growth effectively. It is not solely about looking for crashes or slowdowns. It’s important to understand how the platform responds under pressure; how it adapts to user demand surges and how different devices or network circumstances impact the experience.
By testing in real-world scenarios, operators can identify possible bottlenecks and optimize the platform’s performance before it causes an issue. This method ensures the platform scales optimally with a seamless experience with the growth of the player base.
Limitations of emulators and simulators in iGaming performance testing
Emulators and simulators are economical but fail to replicate real-world settings. In iGaming, where performance directly impacts user retention, such systems may create blind spots.
Emulators replicate devices, but they ignore important aspects such as network fluctuations, device-specific setups, and localized network conditions. For example, players living in remote places may experience slower internet speeds that simulators can’t replicate. They also fail to account for small device performance variations that affect gameplay.
Real-world testing is a must for accurate performance evaluation across a variety of devices and network configurations. It ensures that platforms provide a consistent experience for all players, regardless of their device or place of residence. This accuracy boosts long-term player satisfaction and helps maintain a competitive advantage.
Inaccurate performance metrics
CPU, GPU, and battery usage are crucial indicators of a platform’s performance on end-user devices. Emulators and simulators, while relatively affordable, provide idealistic data that fails to reflect real-world conditions. They overlook critical elements such as device specifications, network irregularities, and background app load, resulting in inaccurate insights.
Real-device testing detects these variables, revealing performance concerns like thermal throttling, network congestion, and battery drain, all of which can have a detrimental influence on the user experience. By relying solely on emulators, operators risk overlooking these bottlenecks, which can affect player retention and satisfaction.
Lack of real-world network conditions
Network performance is critical in iGaming, as even small interruptions can frustrate players. Real-world gaming environments tend to have unstable connections, slow speeds, and high latency. Emulators, on the other hand, operate under ideal conditions and are unable to replicate these issues. This leaves a significant gap in understanding how platforms function in diverse contexts.
Real-device testing eliminates the gap by simulating actual network conditions. It mimics bandwidth limitations, irregular signals, and changing speeds to detect problems such as lag spikes, session timeouts, or interrupted gameplay. For example, slot games may encounter spin outcome delays, whereas live dealer games might face buffering issues, both of which disrupt player engagement.
This approach also enables operators to assess features such as auto-reconnection and optimized data usage. By solving these concerns, platforms can provide smoother gameplay and adapt to changing network requirements.
Device-specific bugs
Device-specific flaws pose a concealed threat to iGaming platforms, often slipping through the cracks of emulator testing.
These concerns originate from the unique interplay of hardware configurations, operating systems, and app environments, presenting difficulties that emulators cannot duplicate. When a platform ignores these flaws, it risks alienating players and losing trust.
These elusive flaws are discovered by testing on real devices. It detects crashes, distorted visuals, and unresponsive features that appear only on specific devices or operating system versions. This hands-on approach guarantees that platforms provide a consistent experience for different kinds of users.
For example, on some Android models, a slot game may experience laggy spins or misaligned payline graphics, while a crash game might encounter choppy animations on certain budget-friendly smartphones. Real-device testing reveals these issues, allowing operators to offer smooth, captivating entertainment that keeps players coming back.
Importance of real-device performance testing in iGaming
How prepared is your iGaming platform for real-world scenarios? Real-device performance testing is essential for providing high-quality iGaming experiences. It captures real-world aspects influencing gameplay, such as hardware, software, and environmental circumstances, delivering insights that emulators cannot replicate.
Emulators present ideal figures, but real-world testing reveals shortcomings such as device-specific errors, delayed load times, and latency spikes. For example, players in slot games could encounter misaligned paylines or delayed spins, whereas crash games may experience congested networks or latency issues. These issues can have a direct impact on player satisfaction and retention.
Load testing for high-traffic scenarios
Peak traffic events, such as big tournaments or promotional campaigns, can put even the best-built platforms to the test. Real-device testing simulates high-traffic situations allowing operators to assess how their platform handles thousands of concurrent users. It ensures that the platform can withstand the demand while maintaining performance.
Platforms that do not undergo real-world testing risk experiencing issues such as poor load times, network drops, and system crashes. These issues can be catastrophic during live events. For example, lag in a live dealer game might disrupt the flow of play, irritating players and compromising their trust in the site.
Stress testing with actual devices allows operators to identify flaws that may not be visible under regular conditions. It allows for fine-tuning processes, assuring a consistent experience for players whether they’re spinning the reels of a slot game or placing bets with a live dealer, even at peak times.
Network simulation for real-world connectivity
Players access iGaming sites from various locations and different network conditions, ranging from fast Wi-Fi to unstable mobile data. Real-device testing simulates these conditions, delivering an authentic and accurate depiction of a platform’s performance under real-world connectivity challenges.
Emulators fail to capture critical issues such as fluctuating signal strength, limited bandwidth, and network congestion. These factors can lead to lag, session drops, and gameplay interruptions, all of which directly impacts user experience.
With real-device testing, operators can identify connectivity flaws and optimize the platform for seamless experiences. This ensures players, whether playing crash games or participating in live dealer sessions, enjoy uninterrupted, dependable gameplay regardless of their network speed.
Battery and resource consumption analysis
Extreme battery drain and resource usage can quickly sway players away, particularly on smartphones. Real-device testing takes these elements into consideration, presenting issues that emulators miss.
Emulators fail to capture the true impact of extended gameplay. Testing on actual devices reveals hidden inefficiencies, such as high CPU utilization or battery drain, which could negatively impact player experience.
Operators must pinpoint these issues to improve their platforms for smoother gameplay, lower power consumption, and better performance. This ensures an engaging experience, whether players are enjoying slot games or fast-paced crash games.
Latency testing for real-time gaming
In real-time gaming, even slight delays can deteriorate the experience. Whether it’s a live dealer game or sports betting, players demand fast responsiveness. Any lag can be frustrating, leading to disengagement. Only real-device testing can precisely evaluate latency in real-world situations.
Contrary to emulators, which offer idealised outcomes, real-device testing reveals the full impact of network fluctuations and device constraints. It ensures operators notice latency issues that can disrupt gameplay, such as slow response times or delays in live interactions.
Operators can provide a consistent, fast-paced experience by identifying these issues early. It keeps players interested, whether they are placing a live sports wager or spinning the reels in a slot game.
Comprehensive compatibility testing
Is your platform optimized for every device your players use? Given the wide range of devices and operating systems in use, ensuring that your platform operates flawlessly across all configurations is critical. Players use various devices, including mobile devices and laptops, each with its own set of capabilities and limitations.
Real-device testing goes beyond what emulators can deliver. It reveals compatibility flaws that are usually overlooked, such as visual glitches, lag, or crashes. These issues can affect the user experience.
Identifying these issues before they damage the platform’s reputation is critical. Operators should ensure smooth gameplay across all devices by delivering consistent and reliable performance.
TESTA’s approach to performance testing
How does your platform perform in the real world? TESTA’s approach leverages actual users on real devices to deliver insights that simulations lack. This method highlights issues that affect gameplay, allowing operators and providers to optimize performance before problems impact users.
We test on a variety of devices, networks, and locations to detect pain points such as latency in live dealer games, performance concerns in slot games, and disruptions during peak traffic in crash games. This extensive approach ensures smooth gameplay across all devices.
TESTA’s approach to real-market simulation offers exclusive insights that others can’t match. This enables operators to enhance the user experience and providers to fine-tune their products, resulting in better outcomes in a highly competitive marketplace.
Testing with real people and real devices
Lab testing can’t replicate the unpredictable nature of situations in actual life. That’s why TESTA goes beyond controlled environments. We use a global network of human testers to recreate real-world user experiences, catching details that often slip through.
This technique reveals shortcomings that would otherwise go undetected, such as device compatibility concerns or internet speed issues. These components can have a big impact on gameplay; therefore, identifying them early is imperative.
TESTA provides granular insights that assist operators and providers in enhancing platform performance and boosting user retention.
Market-specific optimization with global testing network
How well does your platform function in different regions? TESTA’s global network of real-world testers highlights how network conditions and device preferences differ across markets.
This enables us to identify region-specific issues, such as slow load times, and device compatibility challenges. Operators can then use these insights to optimize efficiency in each market.
TESTA utilizes a number of networks and local professionals to ensure that performance is adapted to each region’s specific conditions, resulting in a seamless, consistent experience for users everywhere.
Key performance tests for iGaming Platforms
In the fast-paced world of iGaming, every second matters. Players have endless options, and even minor glitches can encourage them to explore the competition. To keep players engaged, game providers and operators must ensure that their platforms work smoothly.
Each game genre presents unique performance challenges. Take slots as an example. Testing must include everything from bonus features and multipliers to audio-video sync, asset loading speed, and compatibility with local languages and currencies. Any hiccup in these areas can jeopardize the player experience.
Operators face significantly higher stakes. Players often abandon platforms due to slow load times, lag, or unresponsive features. TESTA’s performance testing detects these issues early, allowing platforms to stay ahead of the competition and keep the players engaged.
Slot games: Ensuring seamless gameplay and user retention
70% of online gaming revenue originates from slot games, making them the lifeblood of online gambling. However, common issues like slow load times, out-of-sync visuals, or faulty bonus features can irritate gamers and drive them to competitors. Errors are generally not overlooked in a crowded market. These issues can make or break the popularity of games and their providers, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing.
TESTA takes on these challenges head-on. We identify hidden performance gaps by analyzing asset optimization, load times, and bonus functionality under various network conditions. Poor internet in some areas? We make sure everything runs smoothly in the game. Inconsistencies specific to a device? We detect and fix them before players are impacted.
Providers rely on flawless gaming for retaining players, whereas operators rely on interesting, high-quality games to foster player loyalty. TESTA bridges this gap by providing practical recommendations that improve performance and provide an experience that encourages gamers to keep returning for more.
Source: https://www.scaleo.io/blog/150-igaming-statistics-insights-for-data-driven-decisions-in-2024
Crash games: Optimizing load times and real-time performance
Crash games thrive on speed and precision, and even a little delay can ruin the player experience. With their real-time dynamics and lightning-fast action, these games require low latency and flawless responsiveness to captivate players. Any performance hiccup, whether a delay or disruption, can negatively impact the platform and increase churn.
Try real-time performance testing today and optimize your user experience.
TESTA specializes in discovering these pain points. In our recent performance evaluation of top crash games in India, we found serious concerns in areas with poor connectivity. Games such as Aviator and F777 Fighter exhibited load times of up to 17 seconds and frequent interruptions, underlining the importance of effective optimization in markets with diverse network settings.
Crash games like Aviator are rocketing in popularity, with Spribe experiencing a 450% growth in unique user share in just ten months in 2022. For providers, delivering consistent performance is vital for retaining this expanding audience. In a crowded market, where competitors are quick to catch up with similar offerings, even slight oversights can lead to a loss in market share and affect brand popularity. For operators, reliable gameplay reduces user attrition. TESTA’s real-world evaluation empowers both, ensuring that crash games run smoothly, keeping players engaged and returning for more.
Source: https://www.vccircle.com/crashgames-are-seeing-the-biggest-growth-in-online-casinos
Live dealer games: Enhancing real-time interaction and performance
Can your live dealer games sustain the demand for seamless, real-time action? With over 30% of online gamblers preferring these games, they want a perfect, immersive experience. Maintaining high-quality video streaming, limiting frame rate dropouts, and providing accurate synchronization between the user interface and video streams, on the other hand, is no simple task.
TESTA’s meticulous performance testing exposes underlying shortcomings that can disrupt gameplay. Our approach provides smooth interactions across varying user scenarios, including different devices and internet speeds, as well as geographical disparities. TESTA’s recent assessments revealed critical performance bottlenecks in live dealer games. We observed video latency and delayed UI responses in regions with weaker internet infrastructure, such as the Philippines and Vietnam. Advanced markets, such as Japan and South Korea, performed far better thanks to superior networking capacities.
Using a local network of professional testers, we pinpoint and respond to localized challenges. TESTA enables game providers to optimize their services and helps operators deliver consistent, high-quality gameplay
Source: https://www.scaleo.io/blog/150-igaming-statistics-insights-for-data-driven-decisions-in-2024
Best practices to maximize platform performance
In iGaming, impeccable performance is a necessity and every second counts. That’s why optimizing the Content Delivery Network (CDN) should be your top priority. CDNs reduce latency and load times by carefully delivering content closer to players, ensuring that players do not have to wait long for their next spin or card flip. This alteration could mean the difference between keeping a player engaged and losing them to a competition.
Then there’s the magic of video compression. Live dealer games are worthless without seamless, high-quality streaming. However, delivering a high-definition experience across diverse networks can be challenging. Compressing video without losing quality guarantees uninterrupted gameplay, especially in regions with inadequate internet. It’s all about striking the balance. Players won’t tolerate lag, and neither should you.
Finally, what’s the key to long-term success? Regular observation. Performance is not a one-time fix. It is an ongoing process. Regular testing across several devices, networks, and locations identifies bottlenecks before they transform into major issues. Real-time monitoring ensures that any performance issues are identified early on, allowing your platform to run smoothly.
Optimizing content delivery networks (CDNs)
A delay of even a few seconds can cost players. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are vital for lowering latency and improving load times. However, regional infrastructure discrepancies can result in significant performance gaps.
TESTA’s Qrowd Platform assessed live dealer casino load times in eight Asian markets. India topped with a quick 11.26-second load time, while the Philippines and Vietnam experienced delays of more than 30 seconds, emphasizing the need for a localized CDN. Countries that used better regional optimization, such as Indonesia and Japan, achieved load times of less than 20 seconds.
Our on-site testers used personal devices to collect authentic data, revealing crucial insights. South Korea’s infrastructure enabled strong performance, whereas Malaysia demonstrated a need for improvement. These findings underline the significance of regional CDN solutions for ensuring flawless gameplay.
Balancing quality and speed with advanced video compression
In the world of live dealer games, video quality is king, but speed can’t be compromised. The challenge? Delivering sharp, clear visuals without sacrificing load times or introducing frustrating lag. Striking this balance is crucial, as it can make or break the gaming experience.
Operators must incorporate adaptive bitrate streaming and advanced video compression techniques. These innovations adjust video quality in real-time based on the user’s internet speed, allowing for smooth gameplay even in areas with connectivity issues.
To stay ahead, iGaming platforms must integrate these strategies across live dealer games. Adaptive bitrate streaming ensures seamless video even in challenging conditions, while advanced compression methods reduce the strain on network resources. The result? A superior experience that boosts user retention.
Identifying hidden performance bottlenecks
Performance constraints are commonly overlooked until they impact the user experience. Pain points such as slow load times or lag, can easily turn into huge disappointments for players. Detecting these issues is critical to ensuring a smooth experience.
TESTA’s proactive approach identifies these flaws before they affect gameplay. Our global testers recreate real-world scenarios to identify performance gaps across different regions and devices. This methodology ensures that all players, irrespective of location or device, have an enjoyable and smooth gaming experience.
We provide actionable solutions by identifying the underlying reasons for friction. Whether optimizing server load or modifying network configurations, TESTA’s granular insights assists operators in enhancing performance and boosting player satisfaction.
Live dealer blackjack provider performance in Ontario
TESTA’s live dealer blackjack provider performance testing in Ontario provided valuable insights. By evaluating Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech across six popular platforms, we uncovered concerns with load times, audio/video lag and other critical components that affect the user experience.
Evolution outpaced the competition by boasting the fastest average load time of 8.18 seconds, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for players. In comparison, Pragmatic Play reported slower load times, indicating opportunities for improvement. While Playtech performed well, it also highlighted several areas for improvement to ensure faster and more reliable gameplay.
The findings emphasize the need for smooth platform integration and effective game optimization to boost user retention. TESTA’s assessment provides concrete strategies for improving live dealer blackjack offerings in Ontario.
Crash games performance testing in India
In India, TESTA’s performance testing exposed major bottlenecks in popular crash games, including Aviator and JetX. These popular games encountered challenges with slow load times, gameplay interruptions, and frequent connection problems, particularly under fluctuating networks.
The findings were precise: India’s diverse internet landscape presented challenges for smooth gameplay. By identifying these issues early on, TESTA offered developers actionable insights to optimize load times, reduce disruptions, and improve the overall gaming experience.
Through targeted adjustments, operators can create an engaging experience and increase player retention in the burgeoning Indian market.
Proactive performance testing for long-term success
Proactive performance testing ensures platforms scale while providing an excellent user experience. It’s about recognizing and dealing with possible bottlenecks before they impact gameplay.
This approach enables iGaming operators to stay ahead of performance concerns. It ensures that rising user traffic and game complexity won’t lead to slow load times or disruptions. It also assures that, regardless of how the platform evolves, the user experience stays consistent.
In the long run, proactive testing delivers a strategic edge over competitors. It enables platforms to efficiently handle growth, retain users, and uphold a reputation for reliability.
Conclusion
Whether it’s the thrill of spinning slots, lightning-fast nature of crash games or the immersive experience of live dealers, each game requires its unique set of performance metrics. Slow load times and game interruptions are deal breakers. Players expect error-free experiences, and meeting those expectations requires more than just simple performance checks.
TESTA redefines performance testing by discovering and addressing hidden bottlenecks before they impact gameplay. We provide granular insights tailored to the specific demands of each platform.
Ready to optimize your platform and keep players hooked? Reach out to TESTA today and take your performance to the next level.
About the author
Ian McKinnon
TESTA Head of Marketing