Gamification in Software Testing

Software testing plays a critical role in ensuring software quality, yet it is frequently undervalued and underutilized by both practitioners and learners. A persistent lack of motivation, driven by perceptions of testing as tedious and less creative, hampers the adoption of rigorous testing practices in both industry and education. This thesis investigates the potential of gamification and serious games to address these motivational and pedagogical challenges, aiming to enhance engagement, learning outcomes, and testing behavior. Grounded in a mixed-methods research design, this work explores the application of game design principles to the domain of software testing through tool creations, empirical studies, and experimental interventions. It identifies key technical, organizational, and motivational barriers to effective testing based on large-scale survey data and qualitative insights. Drawing on these findings, the research develops and evaluates a series of game-based and gamified learning experiences across secondary, higher education, and professional development contexts. The results demonstrate that both gamification and serious games can positively impact how learners and developers engage with software testing, leading to improved motivation, conceptual understanding, and testing practices. Furthermore, this thesis offers theoretical and practical contributions by outlining design considerations, implementation strategies, and empirical evidence for integrating playful learning and feedback mechanisms into software testing education and practice. By reimagining software testing as an interactive and intrinsically rewarding activity, this work bridges the gap between technical rigor and learner engagement, contributing to a more sustainable and effective approach to testing within the broader field of software engineering.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Universität Passau

Year

2026

Author dc:creator

• Straubinger, Philipp

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fraser, Gordon
• Becker, Steffen

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons - CC BY-SA - Namensnennung - Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen 4.0 International

Repository record source_url

https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-uni-passau/frontdoor/index/index/docId/2096

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kobv.de-opus4-uni-passau:2096