ai-coding-workflow-labs/bmad/_bmad/gds/gametest/knowledge/compatibility-testing.md

Compatibility Testing for Games

Overview

Compatibility testing ensures your game works correctly across different hardware, operating systems, and configurations that players use.

Types of Compatibility Testing

Hardware Compatibility

• Graphics cards (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
• CPUs (Intel, AMD, Apple Silicon)
• Memory configurations
• Storage types (HDD, SSD, NVMe)
• Input devices (controllers, keyboards, mice)

Software Compatibility

• Operating system versions
• Driver versions
• Background software conflicts
• Antivirus interference

Platform Compatibility

• Console SKUs (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
• PC storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG)
• Mobile devices (iOS, Android)
• Cloud gaming services

Configuration Compatibility

• Graphics settings combinations
• Resolution and aspect ratios
• Refresh rates (60Hz, 144Hz, etc.)
• HDR and color profiles

Testing Matrix

Minimum Hardware Matrix

Component	Budget	Mid-Range	High-End
GPU	GTX 1050	RTX 3060	RTX 4080
CPU	i5-6400	i7-10700	i9-13900
RAM	8GB	16GB	32GB
Storage	HDD	SATA SSD	NVMe

OS Matrix

• Windows 10 (21H2, 22H2)
• Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2)
• macOS (Ventura, Sonoma)
• Linux (Ubuntu LTS, SteamOS)

Controller Matrix

• Xbox Controller (wired, wireless, Elite)
• PlayStation DualSense
• Nintendo Pro Controller
• Generic XInput controllers
• Keyboard + Mouse

Testing Approach

1. Define Supported Configurations

• Minimum specifications
• Recommended specifications
• Officially supported platforms
• Known unsupported configurations

2. Create Test Matrix

• Prioritize common configurations
• Include edge cases
• Balance coverage vs. effort

3. Execute Systematic Testing

• Full playthrough on key configs
• Spot checks on edge cases
• Automated smoke tests where possible

4. Document Issues

• Repro steps with exact configuration
• Severity and frequency
• Workarounds if available

Common Compatibility Issues

Graphics Issues

Issue	Cause	Detection
Crashes on launch	Driver incompatibility	Test on multiple GPUs
Rendering artifacts	Shader issues	Visual inspection across configs
Performance variance	Optimization gaps	Profile on multiple GPUs
Resolution bugs	Aspect ratio handling	Test non-standard resolutions

Input Issues

Issue	Cause	Detection
Controller not detected	Missing driver/API	Test all supported controllers
Wrong button prompts	Platform detection	Swap controllers mid-game
Stick drift handling	Deadzone issues	Test worn controllers
Mouse acceleration	Raw input issues	Test at different DPIs

Audio Issues

Issue	Cause	Detection
No sound	Device selection	Test multiple audio devices
Crackling	Buffer issues	Test under CPU load
Wrong channels	Surround setup	Test stereo vs 5.1 vs 7.1

Platform-Specific Considerations

PC

• Steam: Verify Steam Input, Steamworks features
• Epic: Test EOS features if used
• GOG: Test offline/DRM-free functionality
• Game Pass: Test Xbox services integration

Console

• Certification Requirements: Study TRCs/XRs early
• SKU Differences: Test on all variants (S vs X)
• External Storage: Test on USB drives
• Quick Resume: Test suspend/resume cycles

Mobile

• Device Fragmentation: Test across screen sizes
• OS Versions: Test min supported to latest
• Permissions: Test permission flows
• App Lifecycle: Test background/foreground

Automated Compatibility Testing

Smoke Tests

# Run on matrix of configurations
compatibility_test:
  matrix:
    os: [windows-10, windows-11, ubuntu-22]
    gpu: [nvidia, amd, intel]
  script:
    - launch_game --headless
    - verify_main_menu_reached
    - check_no_errors

Screenshot Comparison

• Capture screenshots on different GPUs
• Compare for rendering differences
• Flag significant deviations

Cloud Testing Services

• AWS Device Farm
• BrowserStack (web games)
• LambdaTest
• Sauce Labs

Compatibility Checklist

Pre-Alpha

• Minimum specs defined
• Key platforms identified
• Test matrix created
• Test hardware acquired/rented

Alpha

• Full playthrough on min spec
• Controller support verified
• Major graphics issues found
• Platform SDK integrated

Beta

• All matrix configurations tested
• Edge cases explored
• Certification pre-check done
• Store page requirements met

Release

• Final certification passed
• Known issues documented
• Workarounds communicated
• Support matrix published

Documenting Compatibility

System Requirements

MINIMUM:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD RX 560
- Storage: 50 GB available space

RECOMMENDED:
- OS: Windows 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 or AMD equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6700 XT
- Storage: 50 GB SSD

Known Issues

Maintain a public-facing list of known compatibility issues with:

• Affected configurations
• Symptoms
• Workarounds
• Fix status