Every great game is built on the work of people who care about getting the details right. The 2026 Game Quality award winners are a testament to that, leaders, innovators, and advocates who’ve shaped some of the industry’s biggest titles from behind the scenes.
We sat down individually with four of this year’s winners to talk about their journeys, their biggest lessons learned, and their advice for anyone looking to grow a career in Game Quality.
Watch the full video above!
Emily Maclean | Hero Class Leader
Emily’s journey in Game Quality is a brilliant example of the impact that strong leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to quality can have on creating exceptional gaming experiences.
Since starting her career in 2018, Emily has continued to make her mark on the industry, building a reputation for the kind of leadership that lifts entire teams. In her interview, she shares valuable advice for anyone looking to grow their career, including the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring different studios and opportunities to find the right fit for you.
Her message is simple but powerful: every detail matters, and the people behind quality are what help build great games and a stronger industry.
Alex Smith | Champion of the Player
With more than a decade of experience in Game QA, Alex Smith brings a wealth of insight from notable projects including Mortal Kombat, and now leads live operations for The Sims 4. His background in game design gives him a unique perspective on the relationship between player experience, quality, and development.
One of his biggest takeaways? Communication is everything. QA isn’t simply about finding bugs, it’s about delivering critical feedback, advocating for quality, and helping shape the experience players ultimately receive. Learning how to communicate difficult feedback, and deliver the “bad news” effectively, can make all the difference.
Alex also speaks candidly about resilience, adapting to change, and trusting yourself throughout your career journey. His outlook: every setback is a chance to learn, grow, and come back stronger.
Tish Graham | Innomaker
Tish Graham’s win for Innomaker at the 2026 Game Quality Awards caps off a journey into Game Quality that wasn’t quite the path she expected. Originally studying computing with games development, with ambitions of becoming a gameplay developer, an unexpected internship introduced her to QA, and she quickly discovered a passion for problem-solving and improving the game development process.
Since then, Tish has worked across studios including Bossa Studios, Mediatonic, and Epic Games, contributing to major titles including Fall Guys and Fortnite. Today, she leads automation efforts at Trailmix.
In her interview, Tish shares valuable advice on career growth: the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, continuous learning, and why automation doesn’t have to be as daunting as it might seem. Her advice? Start small, take initiative, and keep learning.
David Jenkins | Voice of Games Quality
In an insightful conversation, David Jenkins (“DJ”) reflects on his journey in Game Quality, shares advice for those looking to grow their careers, and discusses the importance of maintaining a positive and constructive focus within the profession.
DJ is the Release Manager at AONIC and brings a rich history in the gaming industry, including roles at Xbox and Sega Europe. His extensive background in game quality, combined with his passionate involvement in the community, makes him a credible and trusted voice in the discipline.
DJ has been at the forefront of advocating for the importance of game quality, emphasizing that it’s a highly skilled field that deserves recognition.
A Common Thread
Across all four interviews, a few themes keep coming up: step outside your comfort zone, communicate with courage, and never stop learning. These winners prove that quality isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a craft, and the people behind it are what make great games possible.
Congratulations again to all of our 2026 Game Quality Award winners!
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