Introduction

As my contract at Ubisoft Paris ended, I started looking for new opportunities. Among the various job offers I’ve browsed, I found this one as QA Tester for Dotemu/The Arcade Crew. After working at Bandai Namco and Ubisoft Paris, going back to a smaller studio wos allowing me to feel more connected to all of my coworkers, even if we don’t work in the same department or on the same project. Also, former classmates whom I already know were already working there, allowing me to establish trust between the studio and myself much quicker. Finally, Dotemu’s recent releases had been acclaimed by both the press and the players.

I started my contract on November 2nd, joining a team of 14 people, – the largest QA department I’ve joined so far, led by Pierre-Olivier Petillot. As I arrived, I’ve been placed under the leadership of the QA Lead Manon Botineau, whom I’d work with on her assigned projects.

Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition

Pitch

Plan your next move wisely, every additional combo can make the difference! Whether in solo or duo, online or offline, mix and match your units to defeat your enemies in this Definitive Edition of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes!

Production

This project was the first one as a core tester at Dotemu/TAC. I arrived at the end of the production, with Master Candidates already validated from constructors. From November to July, my focus was on the Day One Patch, and polishing the game on each platform.

For the 7 months I’ve spent working on this project, these are most of my performed tasks:

Tests:

• Familiarization
• Bughunting
• Online Multiplayer
• Achievements
• Localization (Chinese, Japanese, EFIGS)
• Screen Sizes, Ultra-Wide
• Controls
• Sanity Checks
• Soak Tests
• Speedruns

Documentation:

• Master Checks
• Feature-specific Checks
• UI/UX Reworks Suggestions
• Post-Mortem

Other Tasks:

• Game Recordings for Marketing
• Game Recordings for Age Rating
• Marketing Posts Revision

Pitch

Cross Blitz is a unique RPG deckbuilder featuring fast-paced tactical combat with loads of cards to collect and synergies to wield. Explore, level up, craft new cards and build the perfect decks as you carve your own path to victory!

Production

As my work on MMCOH:DE was slowly coming to an end, the Core Tester role for Cross Blitz was given to me. Among the three projects I’ve worked on, this project is the one I’ve spent the most time on, between February ‘23 and January ‘24. As the game content was quite expensive, I later received some additional help, specially for the master checks.

For Cross Blitz, here’s the list of all the tasks I’ve completed:

Tests:

• Familiarization
• Bughunting
• Localization (Chinese, Japanese)
• Screen Sizes, Ultra-Wide
• Sanity Checks
• Soak Tests
• Speedruns
• Full Playthroughs
• DRM Checks
• Support Tickets
• Database Cleanings

Documentation:

• Master Checks (Demo & Full Game)
• Terminology
• Early Access Ressources Needs Forecast
• Changelogs
• Various Feedbacks & Improvements Reports

Other Tasks:

• Release Support
• AMA on Reddit w/ Marketing & Dev Teams
• Stand-Up Meetings
• Benchmarks

Additional Performed Tasks

• Test Kits Maintenance
• Test Accounts Setup for Nintendo & Sony Environments
• Update of Documentation regarding Inventory & Accounts
• Documenting QA & Kits Tutorials

About Dotemu

Dotemu is a French video game company specializing in bringing back the best video games and legendary pop culture licenses on PC and modern consoles, to create neo-retro experiences carefully crafted for fans around the world.

The Dotemu team has published and developed a number of global top-sellers across both PC and console including the award-winning games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, other great development and publishing work from Dotemu includes Windjammers 1 and 2, Pharaoh: A New Era and more.

About The Arcade Crew

With a gameplay first approach and high-quality focus, The Arcade Crew produces and publishes awesome indie and innovative games from creative teams from around the world.

The Crew’s iconic projects include Blazing Chrome and Vengeful Guardian Moonrider from JoyMasher, Infernax from Berzerk Studios, The Last Spell from Ishtar Games and Young Souls from 1P2P.