Fantastic Bugs and how to Find Them
Combinational tables are a type of grid which makes it easier to generate an idea of how bugs are found in games.
When glitches occur
Problems with games can occur in many different ways and at many different points. For instance, when starting up a game you could face problems due to servers being overloaded or missing files that can prevent you from playing the game without installing additional software, such as a newer version of DirectX.
Here is a guide to help know what kind of problems can happen and where they are likely to happen.
Triggers:
Stress points, such as servers being overloaded or having too many objects or characters on screen, can be caused by both weak/overloaded servers or even poor hardware on the user-end. These issues usually occur on either the start-up or in game phase of running the game.
Exceptions, such as dll or missing file errors, usually occur during the start up section of the game and will be triggered when you are lacking files that the game depends on, such as dlls or files that the game uses to load menus and characters.
Start up errors, such as the game just crashing to desktop upon opening, are usually caused by hardware problems at the user-end, however it is also possible for it to be caused by things like broken operating system updates or even broken patches from the developer itself.
Function errors, can occur from missing files, such as Visual Studio not being up to date or code not being able to be read correctly.
Assignment bugs occur from values not being set correctly in the game and as such they result in bugs, such as glitches or crashing problems in the game. A common example of this is an incorrectly coded A button that will make it be impossible to jump in a game.
Regions:
Pre-region is the game starting up for the first time, before any files are read or settings modified. Pre-region is anything that happens before the games window actually shows up for the first time.
Start up is the game starting up, reading files and changing settings to match the users hardware specifications. It is anything that happens before you assume control of the main character of the game.
In game is the game booting up and being able to control your character, such as being able to move or look around your environment. In game is everything that happens after taking control of your character for the first time, but before the end of the game.
Finally, post game is what happens once the game is finished and you have completed it up until the end credits. Usually the only problems that occur here are issues with music or credits that don't display correctly.
Here is a guide to help know what kind of problems can happen and where they are likely to happen.
Triggers:
Stress points, such as servers being overloaded or having too many objects or characters on screen, can be caused by both weak/overloaded servers or even poor hardware on the user-end. These issues usually occur on either the start-up or in game phase of running the game.
Exceptions, such as dll or missing file errors, usually occur during the start up section of the game and will be triggered when you are lacking files that the game depends on, such as dlls or files that the game uses to load menus and characters.
Start up errors, such as the game just crashing to desktop upon opening, are usually caused by hardware problems at the user-end, however it is also possible for it to be caused by things like broken operating system updates or even broken patches from the developer itself.
Function errors, can occur from missing files, such as Visual Studio not being up to date or code not being able to be read correctly.
Assignment bugs occur from values not being set correctly in the game and as such they result in bugs, such as glitches or crashing problems in the game. A common example of this is an incorrectly coded A button that will make it be impossible to jump in a game.
Regions:
Pre-region is the game starting up for the first time, before any files are read or settings modified. Pre-region is anything that happens before the games window actually shows up for the first time.
Start up is the game starting up, reading files and changing settings to match the users hardware specifications. It is anything that happens before you assume control of the main character of the game.
In game is the game booting up and being able to control your character, such as being able to move or look around your environment. In game is everything that happens after taking control of your character for the first time, but before the end of the game.
Finally, post game is what happens once the game is finished and you have completed it up until the end credits. Usually the only problems that occur here are issues with music or credits that don't display correctly.
Example of a bug
Recently I played Skyrim Special Edition on Xbox One, which was a game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Whilst playing, I encountered a few bugs with the game.
Some issues were quests not being able to progress, due to the scripts not calling on the next state, so the quest simply paused and does not progress forwards from that point.
Another bug that I encountered was an issue where NPCs (Non-Playable Character) would move into the next area after talking to me and giving their greeting. I assume this is because they are set to pause on the player's location and if the player moves then they have to move with the player to finish the dialogue before moving on to their routine.
There was also a bug with the sound crackling if I was in an Xbox Live party. I'm unsure as to what the cause of it was but I am fairly certain that it was the game failing to mix the sounds of people talking with the in-game audio which results in the crackles and long pauses from time to time.
The fixes for these bugs vary from waiting an hour in game by pressing the back button, saving and loading the game, or simply exiting the area and walking back in. However, some bugs cannot be fixed without reverting back to an earlier save and are potentially game breaking unless the player saves often.
Some issues were quests not being able to progress, due to the scripts not calling on the next state, so the quest simply paused and does not progress forwards from that point.
Another bug that I encountered was an issue where NPCs (Non-Playable Character) would move into the next area after talking to me and giving their greeting. I assume this is because they are set to pause on the player's location and if the player moves then they have to move with the player to finish the dialogue before moving on to their routine.
There was also a bug with the sound crackling if I was in an Xbox Live party. I'm unsure as to what the cause of it was but I am fairly certain that it was the game failing to mix the sounds of people talking with the in-game audio which results in the crackles and long pauses from time to time.
The fixes for these bugs vary from waiting an hour in game by pressing the back button, saving and loading the game, or simply exiting the area and walking back in. However, some bugs cannot be fixed without reverting back to an earlier save and are potentially game breaking unless the player saves often.