Linguistic and functional QA for a text-heavy, JRPG-inspired video game with multiple gameplay systems and narrative elements

Project description

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Context

This project involved linguistic and functional QA testing for a medium-to-large JRPG-inspired game centred on narrative exploration, turn-based combat, and light management mechanics. The game contained a substantial volume of in-game text, including dialogue, quests, system messages, and menu interactions, all reviewed in context.

Working as part of a team of Italian testers, I supported multiple testing phases across different builds.

Challenge

The content was high in volume and often fragmented. Narrative sequences unlocked gradually, and some UI strings appeared only under specific gameplay conditions.

Interface constraints typical of menu-heavy RPGs added complexity. Character limits, line breaks, truncation, and inconsistent menu behaviour all required close attention.

Approach & outcome

Testing combined functional verification with linguistic QA. Early passes focused on interface behaviour and triggering conditions, while later stages prioritised the linguistic quality of in-game text within its gameplay context.

Communication was handled via Discord, while issues were logged using structured bug-reporting standards, including reproduction steps and severity levels. Across multiple builds, this process helped improve text consistency and interface usability.

Role

  • Reviewer (LQA / linguistic QA)
  • Tester

Language(s)

Italian

Deliverables

  • In-game strings
  • Tutorials, tooltips, and on-screen prompts
  • UI strings and menus

Tools

  • Discord
  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets
  • Jira

Volume

  • 40–60 hours of playtesting across multiple builds
  • 450+ linguistic and functional issues identified and documented

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