Game testers...

[Vince]

I was at the YMCA yesterday and one of my friends told me he got a job as a game tester here in the downtown Montreal area. He gets to test out games like FIFA 07 and Madden and NBA 07 for the 360. I'm considering applying for the job. Just curious if anyone has done this and what else can I expect. He told me, as an example, one of his duties would be to make sure that say in NBA Live, Lebron James couldn't be traded for a 2nd round pick. He'd also have to play up to 8 hours a day.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Game testers...

I was at the YMCA yesterday and one of my friends told me he got a job as a game tester here in the downtown Montreal area. He gets to test out games like FIFA 07 and Madden and NBA 07 for the 360. I'm considering applying for the job. Just curious if anyone has done this and what else can I expect. He told me, as an example, one of his duties would be to make sure that say in NBA Live, Lebron James couldn't be traded for a 2nd round pick. He'd also have to play up to 8 hours a day.

I know a few people that do this for EA and a few other companies. On the surface, it sounds like fun, but it really isn't, and in some cases, can take away your love of gaming.

Think of it like this. When you're at home, you play a game until you don't want to play it anymore. You have that freedom.

Well, imagine being asked to play some crappy game that you have no interest in. Not only that, but you're not playing the game like the average gamer would play it. You're likely trying to set up a certain scenario to make sure a certain bug has been eliminated.

For example, a buddy of mine who was play testing for a certain unnamed EA Sports Title, one day, has the unenviable task of testing out the volume controls within a certain time frame of a game. He'd have to play through until that point of the game was reached, do the necessary task to get the crowd to react a certain way, then pause, adjust the volume, unpause, listen, rinse, repeat.

Sound like fun to you?

Plus, they don't really get paid jack to do it.

Imagine this scenario...

"Okay, Vince. Today, we need you to test out the uniform creating process in Madden 08. You'll be doing this for the next week."

Yikes!!

But it happens. This is what I'm talking about. It may sound like some kind of dream job, but it's really a pain in the *** that's gets old REALLY fast.

[MassNole]

Re: Game testers...

I need to ask, if EA uses game testers how in the world do glitches like onside kicks going less than 10 yards get through to final production?

[pk500]

Re: Game testers...

EA's PSP game testers must be morons. How did they let the glitch get through in NCAA 07 where the ball is marked where a ballcarrier is touched, not tackled?

Incredible.

Take care,
PK

[Fiddy]

Re: Game testers...

you get paid like 10.50 an hour...nice job if your around a place like that, but not worth moving somewhere for IMO..but to each their own!!

[TheLetterZ]

Re: Game testers...

EA's PSP game testers must be morons. How did they let the glitch get through in NCAA 07 where the ball is marked where a ballcarrier is touched, not tackled?

Incredible.

Take care,
PK

Just because the testers find a bug doesn't mean that the developers have the time, resources, knowledge, or desire to fix it.

[Vince]

Re: Game testers...

you get paid like 10.50 an hour...nice job if your around a place like that, but not worth moving somewhere for IMO..but to each their own!!

Actually it's 8 an hour.

http://search1.workopolis.com/jobsho...=1&pi_maxjob=1

TJ, I agree with a lot of what you said, but the other job that I'm getting interviewed for tomorrow is an opinion research job and that won't be really great either. At least the hours are a lot more flexible.

The biggest thing is having to play video games 8 hours a day. That would get boring really fast, IMO.

[pk500]

Re: Game testers...

Just because the testers find a bug doesn't mean that the developers have the time, resources, knowledge, or desire to fix it.

A bug that large? It's not like The Create A Mascot feature had a bug that caused the head to spin on a swivel.

Take care,
PK

[ndeezlo]

Re: Game testers...

they still haven't fixed the left-footed kick-off bug and that's been in the game forever

[TheLetterZ]

Re: Game testers...

A bug that large? It's not like The Create A Mascot feature had a bug that caused the head to spin on a swivel.

Take care,
PK

I think it's more likely that the developers didn't fix it than the testers not noticing it.

[dieselboy]

Re: Game testers...

What if you were a game tester, and you had to help develop like, Sesame Street 3D...

[Skerik]

Re: Game testers...

FYI, this is a thread about what it's like to be a game tester, not a "Why EA sucks" thread.

[Vince]

Re: Game testers...

FYI, this is a thread about what it's like to be a game tester, not a "Why EA sucks" thread.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Game testers...

What if you were a game tester, and you had to help develop like, Sesame Street 3D...

Well...just imagine trying to keep ExtremeGamer's attention for more than a week. That should be motivation enough to want to eradicate and report any bugs you may find.

Of course, those that know him know that's impossible anyway.

[gtm]

Re: Game testers...

My sig speaks. This would help get the A.I. to play right and leave the sliders for the customer to adjust where and if needed. You read every year concerning the a.i.. Heard it from the only person on the planet with this thinking.