quality assurance Archives

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Lightweight Windows 11 version finally gets an update

Microsoft has released version 2504 of Validation OS, a streamlined version of Windows 11 designed for hardware validation, error diagnosis, and quality control in Windows device production. This version includes enhancements in .NET support, driver management, and USB boot capabilities. It operates through a command-line interface (CLI) and supports Win32 applications. Key features of the 2504 release include support for WPF applications via the Microsoft-WinVOS-WPF-Support package, inclusion of Surface Dock drivers, improved USB boot functionality with RAM disk size configuration through DISM, separation of CJK fonts from the general font package, and an upgrade to the latest .NET implementation. Some known issues remain, such as instability with Bluetooth and Serial Console packages on ARM64 systems. The update builds on previous releases that added features like the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) and Hyper-V-compatible VHDX images. Validation OS is not intended for end users but benefits manufacturers and IT professionals in hardware production and validation. The latest build is available for download from Microsoft's official page.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

ZeniMax union expresses frustration at parent company Microsoft

Staff at ZeniMax Media are frustrated with delays in negotiations with Microsoft, as they have not secured a union contract nearly two years after forming the ZeniMax Workers United bargaining unit. This situation follows a labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) made almost three years ago. Employees, including senior QA tester Autumn Mitchell, express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's public image versus their experiences during negotiations. CWA chief of staff Sylvia J. Ramos emphasizes the need for Microsoft to prioritize contract negotiations. A Microsoft representative stated the company's commitment to reaching a fair resolution.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

A mysterious new folder appeared in my C drive after this Windows 11 update, should I be worried?

The Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5055523) has resulted in the unexpected appearance of a folder named "inetpub" on user systems. This folder is a harmless remnant of the security patch and is associated with Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS). Microsoft has not provided clarification on its emergence, but it is safe to delete if desired, as it poses no threat and does not run any hidden processes.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Testronic opens new Philippines testing facility

Testronic is opening a new facility in Manila, Philippines, to enhance its global presence, adding capacity for 360 additional professionals to its workforce of 2,000 employees worldwide. Ralph Quiambao, the APAC program director, will lead the office, which will operate with dedicated staff across day and night shifts. The expansion is part of Testronic's growth strategy, aimed at meeting the rising global demand for quality assurance services. Adam Keating, the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasized that the expansion focuses on investing in people and maintaining high-quality service standards.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

TinyBuild sells QA firm Red Cerberus

TinyBuild has transferred ownership of its quality assurance division, Red Cerberus, to the testing firm TestFly for .5 million. TestFly's CEO, Kevin Chelius, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, highlighting the alignment of Red Cerberus's expertise with TestFly's mission. TinyBuild's CEO, Alex Nichiporchik, noted that the sale allows the company to streamline its portfolio and focus on creating and growing intellectual properties. TinyBuild plans to concentrate on its core creative pipeline and anticipates launching several high-potential games in 2025.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Download MSI App Player (free) for Windows

MSI App Player is a versatile tool for users seeking gaming and productivity enhancements on a larger screen. It features a user-friendly interface for setting up a virtual Android environment on Windows without requiring advanced technical skills. The app allows keyboard and mouse mapping to emulate touchscreen controls and supports console pad connectivity in Console Mode. Users can open multiple windows for different applications and launch the same game with different accounts. It is integrated with the Windows operating system for mobile software testing and can handle high-end graphics and fast-paced mobile games. MSI App Player optimizes CPU, GPU, and memory usage, ensuring smooth performance even on less advanced hardware. It includes an error-checking mechanism and a built-in recovery system to prevent gameplay disruptions, with regular updates for compatibility with the latest Android games and applications.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

Unfinished PC hardware is here to stay, just like broken PC games

The landscape of PC gaming is increasingly concerning due to the trend of AAA titles launching with numerous bugs and hardware manufacturers facing similar issues. Intel's 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, AMD Ryzen 9000 series, Intel Core Ultra CPUs, and Nvidia RTX 50 series have all received criticism for requiring extensive BIOS updates or replacements to fix fundamental problems. Despite these issues, consumer outrage has diminished, with companies like Intel and AMD experiencing minimal financial repercussions from defective products. The competitive nature of the technology market is leading manufacturers to prioritize speed over thorough testing, resulting in a decline in quality assurance. Consumer demand for PC components remains strong, which may encourage companies to launch incomplete products without concern for quality. The outlook for PC hardware is bleak, with unimpressive generational gains and the rise of powerful consoles posing challenges for PC gaming. Significant innovations are needed to change the current trajectory of PC hardware.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Feb. 21: Sonic franchise sale on Steam

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now streaming on Paramount+. The Sonic franchise is on sale on Steam, featuring Sonic X Shadow Generations. The Epic Winter Sale is ongoing, with discounts available on various titles. Ubisoft is offering reduced prices on top titles. The Humble Store has discounts on beloved Capcom games. Blizzard has deals on popular titles. The Epic Games Store has a selection of discounted games. Fanatical, Gamebillet, Gamersgate, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, and Green Man Gaming are also offering various sales and promotions. Green Man Gaming has a coupon code FEB15 for a 15% discount on PC games. Humble Choice is available for .99 per month, offering titles like Immortals of Aveum and Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties, along with additional savings for members.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Toby Fox is still working on more Deltarune, folks, game development is just complicated

Tony Fox is developing Deltarune, a follow-up to Undertale, with Chapters 3 and 4 currently in the final stages of quality assurance testing. The chapters are nearly complete, but the release date is flexible based on final touches. The team is working on integrating save data from the demo version for console players. Comprehensive testing is being conducted across multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Translations for the game are completed and mostly implemented. Feedback from testers has led to adjustments, including the addition of save points in Chapter 4. Fox will not send newsletter updates until there is significant news, but fans can follow him on social media for real-time updates.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Report: 94% of devs say AI is going to play “critical role” in QA’s future

An overwhelming majority of game developers believe that artificial intelligence will play a “critical role” in the future of quality assurance, according to The State of Games QA report from Modl.ai, which surveyed over 300 developers. Currently, 94 percent of developers use non-AI automation in their workflow, with 39 percent describing their departments as “highly automated” or “entirely automated.” Only 29.7 percent of respondents have worked on a project released without bugs, and 50 percent express concern that QA budgets are not rising fast enough to keep pace with increasing game complexity. Despite advancements, 77 percent of developers admit they did not complete all necessary quality assurance for their most recent release. Looking ahead, 94 percent agree that AI will play a role in video game quality assurance, with 41 percent deeming it “very important” and 30 percent “extremely important.” Additionally, 87 percent believe their studios are prepared to integrate AI technology, though only 18 percent feel fully ready. Modl.ai focuses on revolutionizing game development through AI, including enhancing game testing and modeling player behavior.