Brink Production Testers Wanted!

(Smooth) #21

It says preferably on consoles, so not essential.

The essential bit is “Experienced First Person Shooter player” :stuck_out_tongue:

(Nail) #22

I’d rate these as essential:

Good understanding of the bug tracking process and software involved

Previous experience with Sony and/or Microsoft TRCs

Familiarity with id engine games

Good knowledge of PC software and hardware

Basic knowledge of programming languages

Computer games technology degree or similar related degree

(INF3RN0) #23

[QUOTE=Nail;233146]I’d rate these as essential:

Good understanding of the bug tracking process and software involved

Previous experience with Sony and/or Microsoft TRCs

Familiarity with id engine games

Good knowledge of PC software and hardware

Basic knowledge of programming languages

Computer games technology degree or similar related degree[/QUOTE]

Don’t need any of that to find yummy exploits and glitches :). I think this is oriented towards the curious gamer actually, and not as much towards those with programming smarts. I think someone with some Q3/W:ET trick jumping XP would have a pretty good chance at taking the movement system to the next level. Stuff like that. It is after all a game breaking job and not one meant for constructive feedback right :wink:?

(Nail) #24

in house testing isn’t sitting playing all day to try find a hole in the surface terrain or looking for tj exploits, more likely you’re given a section of the game to specifically target certain things and must report extensively on every action/reaction in the proper technical terms

(SockDog) #25

I’ve done some very light systems testing and I’d argue 80% of it is preparation and documentation and 20% actual testing. Understanding the underlying processes (engine, coding, tools etc) would help on both of those.

Not sure about SD but I’d guess they primarily want the testers to test the game and say what works and doesn’t. Design flaws etc I would think are a very separate subject and something they employ Rahdo to loom over. :slight_smile:

(INF3RN0) #26

It just appeared to me that this particular job doesn’t require any credentials other than your good at playing games, especially outside of the intended parameters. For a general beta test with feedback rather than fixes, I would definitely agree with all of the above. For what this sounds like however, I would just as soon entrust it with a 6 year old glitch detective :tongue:. I am glad that SD is attempting to open up the testing audience as it will help reveal things that even the devs didn’t imagine :).

(tokamak) #27

Indeed, you’re not expected to actually fix the bugs you find. You only need to be able to trace them, reproduce them and clearly formulate the problem.

(ehrw) #28

Which basically is what a beta tester does but instead of just finding the stuff yourself you get papers from above with stuff they want you to look at.

(Exedore) #29

I find your lack of faith… disturbing…

(tokamak) #30

Yes, and that’s what makes this job less appealing to me. During the games I beta-test I always gave feedback on the gameplay balance itself. I left most (obvious) bugs for what they were as I imagined the devs would’ve noticed those themselves by the time they produced the latest build.

My current study is all about policies, public models, economics and game theory (maths). That’s what fascinates me about video games the most, the mechanics behind it. The last thing I worked on together with my teacher was an excel-game for large groups to demonstrate the tragedy of the commons. It really gives a thrill when you put it to practice and everyone is captivated by it.

Much respect to those who are able to find glitches in a game, even more so if they can exploit those glitches (and report them of course) though.

(seth) #31

Hey Folks,

first post and I’m on someones ear about a job…bad form but hey…:slight_smile:

Badman, probably a daft question but i guess that someone who would have to leave the team to go back to uni in the fourth week of September need not apply?

thanks in advance man :slight_smile:

seth

(ehrw) #32

Some of this work could really be done by a test group by distance. Don’t think it really has been tested before. Could be really awesome to put a group together under heavy nda.

With all this hype I’m totally hooked. Reading the forums all the time both from my phone at work and at home.
You’ve really done something beautiful here. Let’s make sure its awesome all the way!

(mortis) #33

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

(Anti) #34

[QUOTE=ehrw;233306]Some of this work could really be done by a test group by distance. Don’t think it really has been tested before. Could be really awesome to put a group together under heavy nda.
[/QUOTE]

The level of involvement Production Testers have is something that can’t be matched remotely, they need to be involved with the wider dev team day-to-day, they need access to lots of documentation, the latest files and builds. The hardware they use is also something that can’t be easily accessed by those off site.

Beta testers tend to play lots and report very little, Production Testers spend much more time than that with their hands on the game’s guts, then generate a huge amount of info about the game that is very useful, be it bugs or gameplay feedback. They find things in the game’s systems that even those building them wouldn’t see.

Also, it’s better than being a janitor :tongue: It tends to lead on to bigger and better roles in the games industry.

(tokamak) #35

See, looking forward to better roles sound interesting, but the 5-6 month contract makes it sounds as if you get the boot when the testing phase is done. Of course, from a job with such low requirements you can’t expect much more, but it definitely doesn’t suggest any future prospect.

Or did you just mean that it would look good on any aspiring developper’s resume?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still really tempted. But it takes a lot for me to put a halt to my study and move abroad to become a tester. Then again, I’m sure there won’t be a shortage of applications for you guys to handle.

(Nail) #36

think of it as an internship, knowledge always leads to better things

(Blowfish) #37

Sounds like a dream job… if I only had the time :). If you ever need beta testers… I am your man…well fish. :penguin:

Gaming since 1975… (pacman console) …
IT Nerd since 1980 … (ZX Spectrum time) …

(caliban) #38

a dream would come true
oh my gosh

i would totally do anything to get the job

i remember a time when i was member of the nintendo club :smiley: in the age of 8 or something and i wrote them a letter to become game tester for nintendo :smiley:

haha
that would be so cool

(MadJack) #39

Hey Mr. Badman!

Long time no see! :smiley:

It figures. Now that I’m back here visiting, there’s a job opening. sigh

I know it hasn’t been posted that long ago, barely a week, but I just want to make sure the opening is still valid.

(badman) #40

Welcome back! We’re still accepting applications for this one (when a position’s filled, we generally take it down to avoid confusion).