Bug Localization in Software Models in Video Games

The video game industry has evolved into a highly profitable sector with increasingly complex development processes, leading to the emergence of Game Software Engineering. In addition, the adoption of Model-Driven Development (MDD) in game development is growing, however, bug localization methods remain primarily focused on source code, overlooking the critical role of software models. Bugs in video games often arise from intricate interactions between game mechanics, player behavior, and the game environment, necessitating specialized bug localization approaches. This thesis aims to develop bug localization techniques tailored to software models in game development.

This thesis compendium comprises three studies, ranging from an investigation into the current state of bug localization in video games to the proposal and evaluation of a novel approach that advances the state of the art. The first study explores the impact of Search-Based Software engineering on MDD maintenance tasks, analyzing how different search parameter configurations influence model fragment location performance. The second study compares MDD and Code-centric Development (CcD) in terms of performance, productivity, and satisfaction, finding that while MDD increases user satisfaction, professionals perform better in CcD, revealing a knowledge gap in MDD bug localization. The third study proposes an approach for bug localization in video games using MDD, demonstrating that taking into account model interactions improves bug localization compared to baseline methods.

Beyond entertainment, video games are increasingly influencing other domains such as film and television production, architectural visualization, simulation-based training, and even the infrastructure of future virtual worlds envisioned by initiatives like those of the European Union. This growing relevance further underscores the need for robust software engineering practices tailored to the unique challenges of game development.