It’s essential that bug-testing is carried out by a team with ‘fresh eyes’, meaning people who have had no previous involvement with the game’s development. In this case, this is a team based in Fox Interactive’s US offices, under the watchful eye of the AvP producer, Dave Stalker.

At the stage we’re at now, AvP’s bug testing is just about complete and we are into the more enjoyable process of play-testing, with teams from both Fox and Rebellion putting the game through its paces to make sure the whole experience is as good as it can possibly be.

Once again, however, AvP’s unique combination of characters has caused us a few headaches. In short, the fact that you can play the game as either Predator, Marine or Alien means that each level has to be fully tested three times. After all, a level which might look perfect from a Marine’s perspective may turn out to be below par when viewed from the ceiling as an Alien. Also, the Alien’s top speed (one tenth of the speed of sound, stat fans) makes play-testing with his character particularly (ahem!) challenging.

For every gameplay idea which made it into the game during the testing process, there are probably half a dozen which will either be saved for a future product or simply discarded. Like everything else, the finished Aliens Vs Predator will be a compromise of the best ideas put together by a truly creative team, delivered within the final deadline. Next week, in the final diary part, we will pay proper tribute to the team.