The variety of hardware configurations in mobile games presents unique challenges for quality assurance (QA). It is often impractical to test every possible combination of variables, including devices, operating systems, screen size, and game features. The solution is pairwise testing, which provides a methodical and efficient way to ensure comprehensive testing without requiring a lot of work.
What is pairwise testing?
Pairwise testing, sometimes called all-pair testing, is a method for identifying flaws caused by the interaction of two variables. For a given parameter, pairwise testing attempts to cover every possible pair of values rather than evaluating every possible combination of variables. This significantly reduces the number of test cases, providing more test coverage.
Why Pairwise Testing Is Ideal for Mobile Games
- Device and OS Fragmentation: Mobile games need to run flawlessly across devices, operating systems, and screen resolutions.
- Time Efficiency: This minimizes the size of the test suite without compromising defect detection.
- Cost Efficiency: Saves resources by focusing on the interaction of critical variables instead of exhaustive testing.
- Error Localization: Helps detect defects caused by the interaction between two variables, which is common in mobile applications.
Steps to Implement Pairwise Testing for Mobile Games
- Identify Testing Parameters
List all the variables that affect the gameplay. Common mobile game parameters include:- Device Type: Smartphones, tablets.
- Operating Systems: iOS, Android, and their versions.
- Screen Resolutions: Various aspect ratios and pixel densities.
- Network Conditions: 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, offline mode.
- Game Settings: Graphics quality, sound levels, control schemes.
- Identify Possible Values for Each Parameter
Specify values for each parameter that needs to be tested:- Device Types: Samsung Galaxy S21, iPhone 14, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.
- Operating Systems: Android 11, iOS 16.
- Use Pairwise Testing Tools
Generation of paired tests can be automated using tools:- PICT (Pairwise Independent Combinatorial Testing)
- Hexawise
- AllPairs
These tools generate a minimal set of test cases covering all possible pairs of parameter values.
- Design Test Cases
Incorporate the generated pairs into specific test scenarios. For instance, a test case might include:- Device: iPhone 14
- OS: iOS 16
- Network: 4G
- Graphics Setting: High
- Execute Tests and Log Results
Perform the tests across the combinations and record the outcomes. Any defects uncovered should be documented with specifics about the affected pair and gameplay context. - Refine and Retest
Address the defects and run retests on impacted pairs to confirm resolutions. Additional exploratory testing can complement the pairwise approach for edge cases.
Example: Pairwise Testing for a Multiplayer Mobile Game
Parameters:
- Device: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel
- OS Version: iOS 15, iOS 16, Android 12, Android 13
- Connection Type: Wi-Fi, Mobile Data (4G)
- Game Mode: Solo, Multiplayer
Using a pairwise testing tool, you might generate combinations like:
- iPhone + iOS 15 + Wi-Fi + Solo
- Samsung Galaxy + Android 13 + Mobile Data + Multiplayer
- Google Pixel + Android 12 + Wi-Fi + Multiplayer
These combinations ensure that all possible pairs of variables are tested without over-coverage.
Benefits of Paired Testing in Mobile Games
- Improved Test Coverage: Evaluates how important parameters interact with one another.
- Faster Time to Market: Speeds up release cycles by streamlining the QA procedure.
- Bug Detection Efficiency: Detects critical bugs caused by interactions between different parameters.
- Enhanced Resource Allocation: Focuses efforts on effective combinations, reducing redundant testing.
Conclusion
Paired testing fundamentally changes the rules of QA for mobile games, offering a smart and efficient way to solve testing problems in a fragmented ecosystem. QA teams can enhance their testing efforts and find more defects in mobile games by using this practice.
