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  Casually Speaking Interview: Kavya S

August 16, 2007
Casually Speaking: Kavya S

Welcome to Casually Speaking – the interview series that showcases the fantastic developers, artists, and designers who make MSN^® Games such a great gaming site!

This week we're turning the spotlight on software testing superstar Kavya S! It takes a global effort to bring a great gaming experience to our customers, and what we do wouldn't be possible without the hard work of Kavya and other members of the MSN Games team in Hyderabad, India. We chatted with Kavya about how she works behind the scenes to keep the Web site running smoothly; what it's like to work with coworkers halfway around the world; and her love for games!

MSN Games:   What do you do here at MSN Games?

Kavya S: I am a Software Design Engineer in Test, or SDET, which essentially means that I am responsible for quality assurance of the MSN games site. I try to ensure that the users have a fun, bug-free experience.

MSN Games:  What is a typical day like for you?

Kavya S: Apart from the emails and meetings, there is very little that is “typical” about a day here!

I work on different tasks each day, from creating a test plan for a new feature, to testing a feature in development, to resolving any issues that came up. Each day has a little surprise in store. Often, there are projects where some team members work in India and the rest of the team is half-a-world away in  Redmond, Washington. We have to make sure that everybody is in sync, which means we share information and sync up over mails and regular conference calls during a convenient time for people in both time zones. Because Hyderabad is 12 ½ hours ahead of the West Coast, I sometimes must come in early in the morning or wait until early evening if I need to talk with my American counterparts.

MSN Games:  Could you tell us a little more about your background: where did you grow up and go to school? 

Kavya S: I grew up in Kerala in southwest India. During high school, I became smitten by computers and decided to study Computer Science. I graduated from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, with a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer science and engineering.

MSN Games:  How did you join the MSN Games team?

Kavya S: I was hired by Microsoft after graduation through the campus recruitment program. It was a little daunting at first, but soon I started feeling at home here.

MSN Games:  Did you play video games before you joined the MSN Games team?

Kavya S: YES!!! I was hooked on Super Mario Bros. right from the first time I played it at a friend’s place. I pestered my parents till they got me the same video game too, which I used to play for hours at a stretch. Later, I moved on to playing games on computer. I spent a lot of time playing the Need for Speed and FIFA series.

I also developed a fascination for casual games thanks to FreeCell! The following statement from the FreeCell help file – “It is believed although not proven that every game is winnable" – intrigued and challenged me. I played and played and played some more, trying to maintain a 100% win rate.

Nowadays, I play a lot of word games like TextTwist on MSN Games. I also play Zuma and Virtual Villagers often.

MSN Games:  What is the casual gaming market like in India?

Kavya S: Gaming is a fast growing market in India, especially mobile games. There are a lot of gaming companies in India now and also a sizeable gamer population, although I believe many Indian gamers would be called "hardcore" in America.

I personally have always been hooked on games, casual and otherwise Now that I work for MSN games, my sister and friends also play often on the site too!

MSN Games: What do you love most about your job? What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

Kavya S: The best part of my job is the people I work with. I'll also admit the kind of work we do is very fun. I often get to hear statements like “You play at work?!?” from friends.

MSN Games: What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

Kavya S: Quality assurance in itself is a huge challenge. There are various aspects to it, such as ensuring a game's functionality, performance, and security. Each project is different, requiring you to think on your feet to catch all the bugs in the code before a game reaches the users. It is a bit like sleuth work.

MSN Games: What advice would you offer to someone interested in doing your job? What qualities are important?

Kavya S: In college, I always thought I would be a “developer." After joining MSN games as an SDET, I realized that software testing can be a lot of fun and at the same time give you a broader perspective of the product.

To be a good tester, you need to understand the project you are working on. Hence you need solid technical knowledge. You have to keep an open mind and be ready to learn. Attention to detail also helps.

Thanks Kavya for taking the time to talk about your job and your experience working on the MSN Games team!

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