As competitive markets for iGaming all over the world continue to thrive, QA (quality assurance) and crowdtesting grow more and more important.
Why crowdtesting matters more for iGaming
When entering emerging markets, variation in regulation, web infrastructure, cultural sensitivities and the competitive landscape make it necessary for companies to look before they leap.
For iGaming especially, two mission-critical considerations are live streaming performance and game load-time. For companies looking to improve their UX in emerging markets getting these two things right at least opens the door.
Live streaming
Until the last few years, global iGaming operators who wanted to live-stream in China faced stiff competition from local operators that had it figured out.
However, as a result of testing with locally situated crowdtesters, the offshore operators were able to identify best practices, and become more competitive in China.
Game load-time
Crowdtesting also showed the same offshore company (Client in the graph below) had massive fluctuation in their game load times when compared to the locally-based company running Game B.
Testing and analysis of the Clint’s load time issues revealed a number of solutions that TESTA Service Delivery Managers offered — and in just a few months load times became competitive with those of the local company.
The business case
The point is, if aggressive business development is your goal, then ensuring reliability in new markets is a must — and that’s why QA testing will always play a pivotal role.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of crowdtesting in QA for iGaming software and business development.
First we’ll have a look at Playgon, a company that leveled up their QA with crowdtesting; then we’ll review the key types of QA and the standard processes you should expect; finally we’ll share some need-to-know benefits that QA crowdtesting delivers for iGaming.
iGaming QA success story
To underscore the significance of QA crowdtesting in iGaming, let’s explore a real-life success story.
Case study: how Playgon optimized their live dealer experience
Problem: entering a new iGaming market
They face obstacles due to limited experience with streaming providers in new regions, lack of visibility and data on performance in key growth markets, and the need to ensure webRTC compatibility in these regions.
Solution: crowdtesters in multiple markets
Playgon sought expert assistance from TESTA, a leading provider of manual crowdtesting services, to overcome their challenges and achieve expansion goals. TESTA assessed the viability of Playgon’s live dealer games in multiple markets, recording metrics such as load time, audio and video performance, game speed, and device and browser compatibility.
Exploratory testing was also conducted to gather overall market impressions of the product. These real-world conditions provided valuable insights for Playgon to improve their Vegas Lounge Live Dealer.
What is QA testing for iGaming?
QA testing involves a thorough evaluation of software to identify and resolve any defects or issues before it is released to end-users. In the context of iGaming, this process becomes particularly crucial due to the intricate nature of gaming software, payment processes, regulatory compliance and the high expectations of players.
Let’s dive into a quick overview of types of QA crowdtesting as well as the QA testing process.
Types of QA testing in iGaming
QA testing in iGaming encompasses various types to ensure a holistic evaluation of the software:
- Functional testing: This checks if all the functions within the game work as intended. It verifies that players can perform actions like placing bets, spinning reels, or participating in multiplayer modes without encountering errors.
- Compatibility testing: As iGaming platforms often run on different devices and browsers, compatibility testing ensures that the software functions smoothly across various platforms.
- Performance testing: To prevent lag or crashes during peak usage, performance testing assesses the software’s responsiveness and stability under heavy loads.
- Security testing: Protecting player data and maintaining the integrity of games is a big deal. Security testing identifies vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the software that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The QA testing process
QA testing follows a well-defined process that includes:
- Test planning: Defining the scope, objectives, and test cases for the QA process.
- Test execution: Conducting tests according to the predefined test cases and recording results.
- Defect identification: Identifying and documenting any defects or issues encountered during testing.
- Defect resolution: Developers address and fix identified defects.
- Regression testing: Repeating tests to ensure that fixing one issue doesn’t introduce new problems.
Special benefits of QA crowdtesting for iGaming
The benefits of QA crowdtesting in iGaming extend far beyond ensuring software reliability. Here are five key advantages:
Maintaining data security
In iGaming, safeguarding sensitive player information is huge — huge as in tens of millions of dollars. Caesars Entertainment recently paid a reported 30M to ransomware hackers. The personal details and financial records that were threatened must be kept impenetrable, so the company paid. QA testing, coupled with crowdtesting, plays a pivotal role in data security.
A diverse pool of crowdtesters ensures that the software is subjected to a myriad of testing scenarios, identifying security gaps that might go unnoticed through conventional testing methods.
By proactively addressing these vulnerabilities, iGaming operators can fortify their platforms against cyber threats and unauthorized access, assuring players that their data is protected at all times. In an industry where trust is synonymous with success, crowdtesting becomes the safeguard that ensures data security is never compromised.
Ensuring fair gameplay
In the dynamic world of iGaming, ensuring fair gameplay is a top priority. Players must have unwavering confidence that the games they engage with are devoid of any bias or manipulation. This is where Quality Assurance (QA) testing, particularly through crowdtesting, steps in to bolster player trust.
Crowdtesting in iGaming entails enlisting a diverse group of testers who evaluate the software from different angles. These testers, often players themselves, rigorously assess every facet of the games, scrutinizing Random Number Generators (RNGs) to verify that outcomes are genuinely random and not manipulated to favor the house.
With the collective intelligence of crowdtesters, iGaming platforms can ensure that games adhere to the highest standards of fairness. The transparency and credibility that crowdtesting brings to the table instill player confidence, cementing a loyal player base.
Global market insights
Crowdtesting facilitates testing in multiple markets and regions simultaneously, providing valuable insights into different regulatory frameworks, cultural preferences, and regional requirements. In the iGaming sector, understanding these variations is vital for compliance and adapting the software to meet diverse market needs.
Crowdtesting allows iGaming companies to gather feedback from a global tester base, helping them tailor their products for specific markets and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This leads to a more globally optimized iGaming software that can successfully penetrate and thrive in various regions.
Rapid scalability and flexibility
iGaming platforms often experience fluctuating user traffic, especially during peak times or special events. Crowdtesting offers the advantage of scalability, enabling iGaming companies to quickly ramp up the testing team size to accommodate higher testing demands.
Moreover, the flexibility of crowdtesting allows for testing on-demand, ensuring that new game releases, updates, or patches are thoroughly tested in a timely manner. This agility is crucial in the fast-paced iGaming industry, where being the first to market with tested, high-quality products is a competitive advantage.
Diverse testing scenarios
Crowdtesting brings in a diverse pool of testers with varying backgrounds, devices, and locations. This diversity allows for comprehensive testing across different platforms, operating systems, and network conditions.
In the iGaming industry, where players use a wide range of devices and interfaces, crowdtesting helps simulate real-world scenarios and identify potential issues that may arise in various contexts. This leads to a more robust and inclusive testing process, ultimately enhancing the quality of the iGaming software.
Conclusion
In the fast-evolving landscape of iGaming software development, QA crowdtesting emerges as a vital ally. It ensures that games are not only entertaining but also reliable and secure. By prioritizing QA testing, iGaming operators and providers can elevate the quality of their software, gain player trust, and ultimately achieve business success in the competitive world of online gaming. So, if you’re looking to thrive in the iGaming industry, remember that QA crowdtesting is your key to delivering exceptional gaming experiences.
About the author
Ian McKinnon
TESTA Head of Marketing