Games Testing advice..

MNuTz

MNuTz

MNuTz

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Im interested in getting in to games testing and i am aware that at least one person here works as one (but i cant remember who).

I am fully aware of what testing involves as ive done software testing before and looked into this job while i was doing my A-levels (7 years ago now).

Does anyone know where i can get an up-to-date list of develoeprs addresses or better now of a company thats hiring?

Its a long shot but fingers crossed :D
 
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I really can't see why anybody who knows what games testing involves would actually want to or apply for such a job, seriously.

Anyway, good luck and hope you get something - but I can more or less guarantee you'll be job hunting again within months.
 
stoofa said:
I really can't see why anybody who knows what games testing involves would actually want to or apply for such a job, seriously.
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It may be very boring and monotonous, but some people genuinely just want a job they feel they can do competently and without having to deal with MOPs. For example I'd probably be more at home in a game testing environment than I would working on a supermarket checkout.
 
I would hate to be a games tester for a really really good game.

Think about it, you would have to sit there playing it over and over and over and over again, testing every single last thing until you have got all the bugs worked out. By that time your sick of the game and you have played every last one of its features a lot of times so you will probably get no joy in playing the final product.
 
Well i naturally lean towards finding problems and suggesting fixes or fixing them, my problem solving skills are very good and its something i am naturally good at.

Plus, its easy to start on the bottom rung of the ladder and work your way up.

Thanks for the info Haly.
 
I'm a Lead games tester for a well know company. Games testing is ok, it's fun for the first year and then you wonder what you're doing with your life. It's not a great starting point to "get in to the games industry" as games testers are not thought of highly by others in the industry (read: "Bottom feeding scum sucking algie eaters" - Duke).

There is an ever growing divide between QA (testing) and Production which means that once you're in games testing you don't work your way up in to level or game design etc. You can basically work up to QA Manager (give it 10-15 years). If however you want to do something over Tesco's etc then it's fantastic! The people are generally great, the work is fun (when you get a new game), the money is better than shop work and overtime is there if you need it and pays well (usually double time).

EA do contract testing, you have a 3 month contract then it mayor may not be renewed, that's up to a maximum of 9 months with no chance of becomming permanent unless you become a Lead.

Other places do full time and pay on average of about £14,500.

All in all, it's better than a lot of jobs out there but not good if you want a career unless you want it in the games industry and are prepared to work hard!

EDIT: Most games jobs are in the Midlands, if you live around there then you probably won't have a problem finding a job.

Check out:

http://www.gamesrecruit.co.uk/

http://www.change-job.com/
 
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thanks for that Mint, i live between Shrewsbury, Telford and Stoke so its pretty easy for me to jump on a motorway and get anywhere within the Midlands.
 
There is an ever growing divide between QA (testing) and Production which means that once you're in games testing you don't work your way up in to level or game design etc. You can basically work up to QA Manager (give it 10-15 years). If however you want to do something over Tesco's etc then it's fantastic! The people are generally great, the work is fun (when you get a new game), the money is better than shop work and overtime is there if you need it and pays well (usually double time).
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I disagree, it's very much dependant on where you work. If you work for EA then trying to get a permanent position is nigh on impossible, as they hire so many contract testers (same with other publishers actually) all looking to do the same thing. Saying that; Codemasters run secondments and often hire internally within QA for all kinds of positions. Just recently we had someone move into design, someone else move into a community manager position on a MMO and someone else go into acquisitions. All of whom were on temp contracts.

If you can find a job testing at a developer you have a much better chance of moving into another position either in production, design, community management... anything really. This is because there are significantly less testers, and they are often all on permanent contracts.

I’ve been testing for around 7 months now, and while it’s not what I want to do as a full on career – it’s better than a lot of other jobs. The atmosphere is really laid back, and generally everyone is really friendly.

Your best bet is to try and get a job at a publisher to get some experience, and then try and find a permanent job else where at a developer. Be warned though, your job is never safe – even when on a permanent contract. ;)
 
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well if any of you hear of any positions going please let me know :D

Its good to have so much info and i am currently looking locally (Midlands area) so fingers crossed i may get lucky :D
 
Haly said:
Alpha<insert some numbers> is a games tester I think, or at least knows lots.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/ might be the kind of site you're looking for.
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Do you mean me???

And no im not a tester i am an artist.. Most game studios dont employ testers, only publishers do. And some smaller independant ones have small in house testing.

My advice is to just keep applying to the main publisher and ensure u make your self very available. There is a lot of competition out there with sometimes 100's of applicants to each position.. A friend of mine is a tester at SEGA near london and he said there was lots of people applying.. Good grades at school / colleage especially technical and comunication skills are good.

If your in the Derby area i might be able see if we have any jobs going but id have to deal with that outside of the forum. (email in trust)

Not sure what other advice i can give. Only dont expect much of a social life as a lot of extra hours will be expected especially near submission times. Also testers often get pooped upon from a high height by the rest of the developement team as they are at the bottom of the pile :P Although not me.. im always nice to testers.. honest :D Its producers that are the annoying ones.
 
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Yes I meant you, and I was close :p
Knew you did something in the games industry, just couldn't remember exactly what :o
 
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