StompingFreak
22-08-2008, 05:04 AM
The Vigilante 8 developers have given an unusual insight into what Xbox Live Arcade certification for a game entails.
Having just submitted Vigilante 8 for certification, the developers then help break down the process.
Microsoft QA (Test Department) is verifying that the game complies with a zillion different "technical requirement guidelines" (TRG). For example, things like the maximum allowable load screen durations, what happens if the network cable is unplugged amidst play, what if the downloaded data is corrupted at any point, playing the game off the MU card, required terminology for menus, etc. etc.
There are virtually hundreds of these scenarios and even more permutations. Most of these TRGs are absolutely essential, although a great number are pretty obscure and unlikely to affect the average user. But rules are rules! Bottom line, every Xbox 360 game must pass this rigorous certification prior to being released.
Having watched the game undergo numerous TRG sweeps at Activision QA over the past three months, we are confident it's in a very solid state by now. We're anticipating one re-submission at the most to obtain certification, but unfortunately there are no guarantees. Remember, a release date cannot be secured until the game is approved
So there you go. This would also help explain why every game has a 'how to play' option, why the menus nearly always the same options and so on.
Source (http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=5819)
Having just submitted Vigilante 8 for certification, the developers then help break down the process.
Microsoft QA (Test Department) is verifying that the game complies with a zillion different "technical requirement guidelines" (TRG). For example, things like the maximum allowable load screen durations, what happens if the network cable is unplugged amidst play, what if the downloaded data is corrupted at any point, playing the game off the MU card, required terminology for menus, etc. etc.
There are virtually hundreds of these scenarios and even more permutations. Most of these TRGs are absolutely essential, although a great number are pretty obscure and unlikely to affect the average user. But rules are rules! Bottom line, every Xbox 360 game must pass this rigorous certification prior to being released.
Having watched the game undergo numerous TRG sweeps at Activision QA over the past three months, we are confident it's in a very solid state by now. We're anticipating one re-submission at the most to obtain certification, but unfortunately there are no guarantees. Remember, a release date cannot be secured until the game is approved
So there you go. This would also help explain why every game has a 'how to play' option, why the menus nearly always the same options and so on.
Source (http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=5819)