Quality assurance of a video game product plays a significant role throughout the development cycle of a game, though comes more significantly into play as the game nears completion. Unlike other software products or productivity applications, video games are fundamentally meant to entertain, and thus the testing of video games is more focused on the end-user experience rather than the accuracy of the software code's performance, which leads to differences in how game software is developed. Early access has grown in popularity over the last decade, especially for indie games where full funding is still in question. Platforms like Steam give developers a direct line to gamers. In turn, gamers feel more included in the development process. For some developers, early access has become their primary funding source and community building.
