The importance of quality assurance in indie game development
Published
27-5-2025
Type of Work
Presentation (Seminar, forum, etc)
Advisors and Contributors
Ben Kirchner (Business Development Manager AEDA) Arthur Ah Chee (Chair of SAGA)
Abstract
Through a recent indie game community event hosted by SAGA (South Australian Games Association), I delivered a talk to developers, industry leaders, and government representatives on the critical role of Quality Assurance (QA) in independent game development.
Emphasising inclusivity, I also showcased how initiatives like local non-for profits Youth Options empower neurodivergent testers to bring unique strengths to QA while providing a scalable, budget-conscious service for indie studios. The talk aimed to demonstrate that even the smallest teams can adopt sustainable QA practices to create more polished, market-ready games without compromising their resources.
The session highlighted how testing early and often can prevent costly mistakes, reduce risks in platform submissions, and ultimately improve player reception. I outlined common pitfalls—such as relying solely on developers for testing or leaving QA until too late—and shared practical, affordable strategies that small teams can integrate into their pipelines, including structured community playtesting, accessible bug tracking tools, and building QA loops directly into development cycles.
Citation
Robinson, A. (2025). QA for indie developers [presentation]. Creo.