In 2023, Sunblink partnered with Lionbridge Games for a custom QA testing solution to support their upcoming release, Hello Kitty Island Adventure — a cozy, open-world adventure game for the Apple Arcade, and eventually, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam). With a dev team of less than 50 people, Sunblink needed extra hands to stay on top of this ever-growing project. After a successful partnership on their previous release, HEROish, Sunblink returned to Lionbridge Games to provide an embedded team of experienced testers to plan, create, execute, and maintain tests, as well as assist with post-launch support.
Last updated: June 2, 2025 3:12PM
The Challenge
Hello Kitty Island Adventure was an ambitious project with limited resources, tight deadlines, and an ever-expanding scope. Being based on Sanrio’s beloved Hello Kitty IP, it also faced immense pressure to live up to Hello Kitty & Friend’s larger-than-life reputation. Sunblink’s lean (but mighty!) team needed to hit the ground running and keep up that pace. They needed a partner who could:
- Quickly onboard and integrate with Sunblink’s tech stack
- Understand the project’s unique challenges and requirements
- Ensure immediate access to essential devices and personnel
- Create a strategic project roadmap to meet deadlines and prevent crunch
- Provide certified, experienced testers for an embedded solution
- Scale and adapt to evolving demands while remaining resource-efficient
- Maintain clear and consistent communication in multiple time zones
- Demonstrate meticulous organization, precision, and attention to detail
The Process
Using documentation provided by the dev team, Lionbridge Games developed a custom testing solution involving two in-lab embedded senior testers. Our testers
- Created a strategic project timeline and developed comprehensive test plans
- Set key deadlines for various project stages, including milestones for test phases and build submissions
- Established clear expectations for communication and prioritization to stay open and organized despite our teams having an 8-hour time difference
Hello Kitty Island Adventure was originally slated to release on Apple Arcade, requiring functional QA, compatibility, and certification testing on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. As the project faced tight deadlines, it was crucial to start working as soon as possible. Lionbridge Games was able to provide 400+ on-hand Apple devices, including multiple of each iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with versions from as early as 2011 through 2025.
The team began testing immediately, relying on the embedded Lionbridge Games testers, to create, lead, and maintain tests for all Apple devices. Our testers worked in Lionbridge Games labs, while receiving training, supervision, and tools from Sunblink to fully integrate into their team. All communication was performed remotely, with frequent touchpoints to keep all parties on the same page.
During the initial testing process, complications arose due to differences in documentation, management, and reporting standards. However, Lionbridge Games worked closely with the Sunblink team to troubleshoot the issues, clear up miscommunications, and establish more efficient processes.
After its initial Apple Arcade release in 2023, the Hello Kitty Island Adventure project was expanded to include Nintendo Switch and PC. To support the additional platforms and growing library of in-game content, Sunblink recruited the help of 12 additional Lionbridge Games testers. To accommodate workload peaks, Lionbridge Games provided additional testers for short-term sprints.
Lionbridge Games was ready to go with numerous Switch dev kits and a wide array of PC components. The team tested 100 different variations of PC builds, covering over 75% of the market. The testing process proceeded smoothly, with the team meeting all critical deadlines and hitting all quality markers for the 2025 Switch and PC release while supporting upkeep for the Apple Arcade version.
The Results
The partnership between Sunblink and Lionbridge Games yielded outstanding results, successfully addressing the unique challenges associated with the Hello Kitty Island Adventure project. Despite a lean development team and tight deadlines, Sunblink was able to achieve a high-quality release across multiple platforms, thanks to the strategic collaboration with Lionbridge Games.
Successful Multi-Platform Launch: The game launched on Apple Arcade in 2023 to positive reception, showcasing robust functionality and compatibility across iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and tvOS. The seamless expansion to Nintendo Switch and PC, planned for 2025, was supported by meticulous QA testing processes that ensured all critical deadlines and quality markers were met.
Accelerated Testing Process: Lionbridge Games equipped Sunblink with instant access to over 400 Apple devices across various versions, enabling testing to begin immediately after onboarding. This setup helped Sunblink bypass potential bottlenecks and avoid crunch. The quick provision of numerous Switch dev kits facilitated prompt testing on that platform, while a diverse selection of PC components enabled quick and efficient testing of 100 different PC build variations, effectively covering over 75% of the market.
Efficient Resource Management: The embedded Lionbridge Games testers integrated seamlessly into Sunblink’s workflow, aided by strategic planning and clear communication protocols. This collaboration enabled Sunblink to scale their testing efforts efficiently, adapting to evolving demands without overextending their limited resources.
Improved Processes and Communication: Despite initial complications with documentation and reporting standards, Lionbridge Games worked closely with Sunblink to refine and streamline processes. The teams established effective communication channels across different time zones, ensuring that all parties remained informed and aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
Ongoing Support and Adaptability: Lionbridge Games' ability to provide additional testers for short-term sprints allowed Sunblink to manage workload peaks effectively. The partnership ensured that Sunblink could maintain the quality and performance of Hello Kitty Island Adventure post-launch, with continued support for updates and additional content.
Truly Custom Support: Lionbridge Games exhibited a thorough understanding of Sunblink's specific requirements and operational dynamics. Our team’s attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the project was tailored to meet Sunblink's unique goals and expectations.
Meticulous Testing and Expertise: With our rigorous testing protocols and industry expertise, Lionbridge Games contributed to the development of a high-quality and seamless product. Our team’s meticulous approach was instrumental in identifying and addressing potential issues early, resulting in a polished final release.
By designing a QA testing plan that matched Sunblink's specific needs, Lionbridge Games helped address the challenges of a complex, multi-platform release. Our team’s expertise, clear communication, and attention to detail, along with a solid understanding of Sunblink's operations, ensured smooth workflow and efficient resource management. As a result, Hello Kitty Island Adventure was able to delight fans across various platforms while maintaining the game's quality and performance post-launch.
