July 27, 200520 yr I am interested in game testing and i was wondering what skills,requiements etc... you need to have to get hired for that particular type of job. thanks for any info you can give me.
July 27, 200520 yr I heard the pay isn't that good but it's a good college job. "Your total disregard for the law and human decency both disgusts me and touches my heart. Bless you, sir." "Soilent Green is people. This guy's just a homeless heroin junkie who got in a internet caf
July 27, 200520 yr Game testing, from what I've heard, is a pretty basic entry-level position. I can't think of any skills that you would specifically require to get the job, but you would certainly need an enthusiasm for gaming, as well as good communication skills and perseverance.
July 27, 200520 yr Why would you need good communication skills? "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
July 27, 200520 yr Why would you need good communication skills? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It helps if you can efficiently communicate the results of your testing.
July 27, 200520 yr Presumably you would keep a log. If it means written communication skills then fair enough. "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
July 27, 200520 yr Communications skills are communications skills. As long as you have some way to effectively communicate with the design team (whether it be with logs or reports or your savvy use of the verbal language), it's going to be useful.
July 27, 200520 yr There aren't really any specific QA skills that you can develop outside of a professional QA enviornment the way you can with Programming, Art or Design. Ultimately, most of the attributes that make a successful QA Tester are more general; some degree of technical proficiency is helpful in doing compatability testing, an eye for detail is hugely important, discipline and patience are crucial. Knowing how to be detail-oriented without spending too much time on any one task is key. Good communication skills are critical. This includes being able to describe problems and possible solutions clearly and concisely, being able to get along well with a team, etc. Tact and professionalism are huge; even though QA is often considered an entry level position, your feedback is going straight to producers/developers. A lack of professionalism is all too easy to detect in a QA tester. Self-motivation is key because you will stand out among other testers if you test parts of a game of your own volition, without a superior telling you to. In terms of specific skills, learning how to use Microsoft Word well is always a good thing. Some database experience is helpful. Beyond that, just love games and have a critical eye for them.
July 27, 200520 yr I wouldn't be adverse to QA myself. Although I don't know if Bioware is hiring for QA (or even has QA). If my friend gets hired, I'll have him put in a good word for me :D Although by that time I'll hopefully be in my internship, so QA would not really be worth my time, and I'll be working in a more programming specific field.
July 28, 200520 yr Welcome to Obsidian boards Chapman-san. This post is not to be enjoyed, discussed, or referenced on company time.
July 28, 200520 yr Tervetuloa toveri Chapman. kirottu said: I was raised by polar bears. I had to fight against blood thirsty wolves and rabid penguins to get my food. Those who were too weak to survive were sent to Sweden. It has made me the man I am today. A man who craves furry hentai. So let us go and embrace the rustling smells of unseen worlds
July 29, 200520 yr Welcome to Obsidian boards Chapman-san. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Why thank you. I've actually been an occasional reader/poster here before, though that was before I started working at the Obsidz. :ph34r:
July 29, 200520 yr I've actually been an occasional reader/poster here before, though that was before I started working at the Obsidz. :ph34r: <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi. And what was your previous incarnation? Actually, scrub that, it's probably better if we don't know. :ph34r: "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
July 29, 200520 yr Which project are you working on? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm a QA Tester on Neverwinter Nights 2.
July 29, 200520 yr Totally Ack. Some people get all the good jobs. Why isn't there a green with jealousy smilie?
July 29, 200520 yr Totally Ack. Some people get all the good jobs. Why isn't there a green with jealousy smilie? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think people have a pretty rosy picture of what QA is in their minds. Don't get me wrong - I love working on games, and I love working at Obisidian. I enjoy QA Testing. But it's a lot more than just playing a game and giving your opinion on it. A lot of the time you're doing very mundane, repetitive stuff. Stuff like running through the same level over and over again, completing a checklist of every ability of every unit in an RTS, Checking the damage of every weapon in an FPS (over, and, over, and over again), running up against all the exterior walls of levels to find map holes and stuck spots, etc. etc. etc. There are fun times, too, and every once in a while you really get to sit back, get into your gamer mentality, and playtest. But (excuse the cliche) it's not all fun and games. I still do feel lucky that I have this job, though. :D
July 29, 200520 yr Have they added a hidden pong mini-game for me yet? For NWN:2 it should be two wizards in a duel, knocking back and forth magic missle with their wands.
July 29, 200520 yr Hahaha that'd be awesome! BTW Nathaniel, you need to get someone to give you a more official rank. "Level 1" just doesn't cut it :D I liked Sawyer's Obsidz VIP, but perhaps something else if you prefer?
July 29, 200520 yr Totally Ack. Some people get all the good jobs. Why isn't there a green with jealousy smilie? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think people have a pretty rosy picture of what QA is in their minds. Don't get me wrong - I love working on games, and I love working at Obisidian. I enjoy QA Testing. But it's a lot more than just playing a game and giving your opinion on it. A lot of the time you're doing very mundane, repetitive stuff. Stuff like running through the same level over and over again, completing a checklist of every ability of every unit in an RTS, Checking the damage of every weapon in an FPS (over, and, over, and over again), running up against all the exterior walls of levels to find map holes and stuck spots, etc. etc. etc. There are fun times, too, and every once in a while you really get to sit back, get into your gamer mentality, and playtest. But (excuse the cliche) it's not all fun and games. I still do feel lucky that I have this job, though. :D <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, thats more than I thought was involved definitely. I guess its the start in the games industry that a QA position really represents that I am jealous of.
July 29, 200520 yr BTW Nathaniel, you need to get someone to give you a more official rank. "Level 1" just doesn't cut it :D Nah, it's cool. QA is like the "Level 1" of the Game industry. I only have 4 hit points and if I miss my saving throw on that sleep spell chances are I'll die
July 30, 200520 yr Then you better make sure you save by buffing up so you can kill some critters and lever up me says :D
July 30, 200520 yr Make sure to put in your order Nathaniel. I hear Feargus is a pretty good coffee-fetcher. [/inside joke]
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