About Kelina Cowell

I am a UK-based Game QA Tester focused on manual game testing, clear bug reporting, and player-facing issues across PC, mobile, and VR.

My current portfolio is built around real QA passes on playable builds, including indie demos, early builds, updates, and live systems.

I focus on reproducible bugs, evidence-backed findings, clear developer handover, and practical QA judgement under real gameplay conditions.

My work demonstrates:

• Clear scoping, environment setup, and risk-focused test design for each test pass.
• Targeted test passes aligned to core systems and player-facing risk.
• Structured, evidence-backed bug reporting with clear repro, context, and player impact.
• Evaluation of system behaviour, UX clarity, and accessibility as part of overall player experience.

QA Portfolio

My main QA portfolio showcases current testing work on real playable builds, including exploratory testing, bug reporting, regression awareness, player-facing clarity issues, and accessibility-focused observations.

This is the best place to review how I test, how I document findings, and how I communicate issues for developers and teams.

View my QA Portfolio

My early QA Projects showing structured learning are still available to view, but my main portfolio now reflects the current standard of QA work.

How I work

• Scope testing around the build, platform, current risks, and player-facing impact.
• Use focused test passes and exploratory charters to target core systems and likely failure points.
• Document bugs with clear repro steps, expected vs actual results, environment details, and evidence.
• Capture short video clips and screenshots so issues can be understood without guesswork.
• Prioritise findings based on impact, clarity, progression risk, and player experience.
• Include accessibility and usability considerations where they affect player understanding, comfort, or recovery.

Training & Professional Development

I transitioned into Game QA from a background in ambulance control and call centre operations, bringing strong attention to detail, structured communication, and the ability to work under pressure.

I developed my QA approach through the Game Academy bootcamp, alongside self-directed testing projects focused on structured test design, evidence capture, and clear reporting. Supporting training includes Jira (Scrum and Kanban) and user story writing.

My work has a strong focus on accessibility, identifying player barriers alongside system defects as part of overall player experience. This is supported by the Certified Accessible Player Experiences® (APX) Practitioner training with AbleGamers, alongside Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals.

This training provides a structured approach to accessibility-focused QA, including:

• Clear accessibility vocabulary for communication with development teams
• Use of access and challenge patterns to identify player barriers
• Evaluation of accessibility as part of overall player experience
• Application across PC, mobile, and VR

I also completed QA 101 - Foundations of Game QA with Emerge QA, reinforcing core fundamentals such as structured bug reporting, evidence capture, and destructive testing.

I have been selected for the Limit Break Mentorship Programme (2026), working with an industry QA professional to further align my work with studio expectations.

My focus is integrating accessibility-focused QA early in development by identifying player barriers through testing and design, rather than treating accessibility as a late-stage fix.

For full details and certificates, see my Education page.