After working in games design, our Global Program Director Michael Hanna stepped to ‘the other side’ to forge a career in games testing – and has never looked back. Here we talk to him about his thoughts on staying ahead of the curve in games QA, Testronic’s passion for providing services of the highest standard to its clients, what he’s looking forward to this year and beyond, and more…

What are the benefits to studios and publishers of working with Testronic?

We’re a testing company through and through. Not only are we super passionate specifically about testing video games – but we’ve been doing it for more than two decades, so we’re highly experienced too. We’re also gamers – every day is something new, whether that’s a new project we’re starting, or a new build of a game we’ve been testing for two years – everyone is always pumped to see what’s coming.

Over the years we’ve built a robust and experienced team spanning all the major time zones and locations, meaning we can deliver, wherever, whenever, all whilst being in sync with each other. I can’t remember the last time I logged into work in the morning without a message from our Manila colleagues and I love it. I hope my American colleagues feel the same about my messages to them though…

What sets Testronic apart from similar companies in the market?

I think the boring answer would be to talk about our KPI’s, and some of the games and clients we’ve worked with for many, many years. But, to me, the answer always goes back to this: We’re big enough to deliver, but small enough to care. There are bigger companies out there, with more locations or larger teams. But we’re proud of who we are and what we do well. We work on projects we’re passionate about.

This isn’t just a job for us; coming to work is an opportunity for us to collaborate and contribute to some of the coolest ideas on the planet, and we don’t take that for granted. We align teams and people with similar interests. It’s not just another project to us, it’s an exciting collaboration.

How does Testronic stay ahead of evolving trends and technologies in the games QA space?

We’re always looking to innovate, and sometimes that means taking risks. Whether this is through AI and automation opportunities, changing how we measure performance, or how we capture and report on data – we’re never short on ideas of how to innovate. The challenge is knowing which ones to do first!

What does a successful QA partnership look like to you, and how does Testronic nurture long-term relationships with clients?

We believe transparency inspires confidence and trust, and so we’re leaning in harder than ever on this. We’re building new tools and processes, so that the value and great work our teams deliver is obvious, and no one even has to ask the question.

We want our clients to see that we bring more to the partnership beyond testing video games. We’re QA experts. We’ve seen and done it all, we can help make your games better, and the best way to demonstrate that is by showcasing to studios what we do well and how we operate alongside the development process to help clients create world class player experiences.

What do you think studios and publishers sometimes misunderstand about QA, and how is Testronic helping to improve that perception?

The biggest misconception I think we see is that synchronised testing hours is mandatory. Some of the best work we do happens when we’re out of sync with the development team, and they come in to a fresh report every morning of what does and doesn’t work, including recommendations and guidance on where might need more love.

Tell us about your own experience and expertise in games QA.

I used to test videos games myself! After working in Games Design for a few years, I hopped into QA to see ‘the other side’, and frankly, never looked back! As I rose through the ranks of QA, I developed a love and appreciation for the most underappreciated part of development.

When I got the call from Testronic four years back, it was a no brainer; and it’s been the highlight of my career to be a small part in helping the company go from strength to strength.

What are the unique traits of the games industry in Europe when it comes to providing support services to studios and publishers?

Well, as a European, I might be a bit biased, but I think Europe is the most creatively diverse place on earth. We have such an incredible range of cultures, talents, histories, languages and everything else, that it was inevitable that Europe would deliver the biggest and craziest ideas possible.

What are you most looking forward to from the games industry in 2025 and into 2026?

2025 is going to be remembered for two things: GTA6 & Switch 2. I can’t choose which one I’m most excited for though. I’m already trying to bank extra sleep hours, as I know the second half of this year will be relentless.

As for 2026, I think there are so many fantastic studios that have been hard at work for some years, and – let’s be honest – through some challenging times. I’m optimistic next year our crazy industry will finally turn a corner and we come out swinging!