Editor’s Note: This post was originally made on March 6, 2003, but has since been removed because of this site’s relaunch. As I am currently working on a project that is consuming all of my creative juices, I’ve decided to re-release this post for your reading pleasure.
Per popular request (when your readership is as low as mine, a single request is all it takes), I’m going to post concerning this article that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle (and was picked up by Slashdot) about being a video game tester.
George Alcantara, 18, dreams of working as a video game tester, where he could make good money playing games all day.
“I think it would be a really kick-back job,” said Alcantara of San Francisco, who was hanging out at the video arcade on Pier 39 Monday night.
Andy Alamano, 24, has that job.
You know, of all the silly, short-term jobs I’ve had, it’s video game tester that people are always curious about. I was a tester for Tiburon (a division of SuperOmniMegaCorp, er… I mean, Electronic Arts) from April to July 1999. I tested NCAA Football 2000 for the PlayStation. If any of you have a copy, check out the credits and I’m one of the poor bastards listed under “testers.” It was, indeed, my fifteen minutes of fame.
Life is not all fun and games for Alamano, though. It’s all games — with little time left for sleeping or eating, at least during the busy months before Christmas. The longest week he has logged was 106 hours, and 60-hour-plus weeks are typical in deadline crunches, he said.
People seem to have the opinion that all game testers do is sit back, eat Fritos, drink Mountain Dew and play video games. Essentially, they are correct. But it’s like being a porn star—sure, you’re still fucking gorgeous women, but it’s your job now. And it’s not video games, it’s video game. Singular. The longest week I put in was 118 hours, which was two weeks before the game had to be shipped to Sony’s QA for final approval. I slept in a chair most of that week. When I did go home, I would get in around dawn, sleep until noon and then head back to work. We were paid rather well for our time, no doubt (especially considering the sheer amount of overtime this created), but it was pretty awful.
There are benefits to working at a game company — like after-hours network gaming marathons on LucasArts’ local-area computer network.
“Most people here have kick-ass machines. We have a little LAN party after work every day,” said Longo. Lately, he and his co-workers have been enjoying the fighting game Battlefield 1942.
Indeed, there are benefits to being a game tester. We didn’t do the LAN party thing (we were working on console games, though I’m sure the developers did a good bit of their own gaming in their cubicle farms), but we would have fun. At Tiburon the testers and the development staff are pretty far apart, both physically and socially, so we tended not to hang out with each other, but the other testers were great people. Being stuck in a room together for hours on end occasionally frazzled nerves, but for the most part everything was copacetic. We also had access to EA games for extremely low prices through the company store, and one guy got head from the temp secretary on more than a few occasions. So yeah, there were benefits.
All in all, it was a fun job that helped to pay the bills (and buy my second car). I got to be part of a little video game history (2000 was the first year that the game included the MAC, MEAC and SWAC, and two of us spent the better part of a week pretty much making up their player’s stats based on press guides… so if the quarterback for East Carolina State happens to be awesome in the game when he really sucked, it was probably my fault), which was cool. It also, ironically, cemented my belief that I didn’t want to be a programmer, which helped me on my current career path. So yeah, it was fun, and I’d recommend it to anybody who has the time.
“At Tiburon the testers and the development staff are pretty far apart, both physically and socially, so we tended not to hang out with each other”
Damn straight, and that’s how we like it.
Left by Scott on May 24th, 2003
We always knew that, if it ever came down to it, we could kick most of the development staff’s ass, so we didn’t mind being shunned by the nerds
Left by John on May 24th, 2003
Having met some of Scott’s co-workers in person, I would put down a bit of money on a John-Corey deathmath. Money’s on John, of course.
Left by Dave on May 26th, 2003
If the testers ever try to start something with me, i hit them with my wallet.
Left by Scott on May 27th, 2003
its great
Left by steven on June 6th, 2003
Hello, My name is Jahesyrell Griffin and I am 14 years old. Video games are my life and I have always wanted to be a video game tester. I am really interested in becoming one for at least this summer. If anyone knows where or how I could get a summer job as a video game tester, please email me back. I will play any game. Right now I only have a Playstation 2 but I’m saving up for an Xbox. I await a answer.
Thanks,
Jahesyrell
P.s My email address is Ninja1403@death-star.com. I named it this because I love games that have to do with ninjas or samauris.
Left by Jahesyrell Griffin on June 8th, 2003
How do you become a game tester?
Left by matt on June 9th, 2003
Good question, how the fuck do you become a game tester?
Left by David on June 14th, 2003
Hey, brain donors:
How about going to the website of a game manufacturer, and seeing if they have any game testing vacancies listed? Hello!
http://jobs.ea.com/index.html
Left by Dave on June 14th, 2003
I have visited alot of companies that have openings but they are all for persons above the age of 18, Is this the earliest time that i can become one.
Left by Ross on June 17th, 2003
Ross, yes 18 is probably the youngest age. Remember folks, this is a real job. You don’t just sit and play video games… Given the hours that you will likely be asked to pull, federal labor laws prohibit those under 18 to work these sorts of jobs.
Left by John on June 17th, 2003
Working here stunts your growth. Vertically, at least.
Left by Scott on June 18th, 2003
Here’s a sampling of what they are asking for in a game tester at EA — For those who came here looking for information on that sort of thing.
QA Tester – The Sims Online
As a QA Tester, you will be part of a fast moving group of developers working to add major new features to The Sims Online and will be responsible for running test cases / suites, performing regression testing and identifying / verifying design and functionality bugs. Teamwork and a professional attitude are key in this role. Communications, both written and verbal, must be professional and accurate. Composure and interpersonal skills are crucial in this role. Ability to work long hours in fast-paced environment are essential.
Job responsibilities
Run test suites / cases and regression tests – reporting results
Identify / Verify new, existing and claimed fixed bugs
Enter bugs into Bug Tracking System
Required skills
Demonstrated PC knowledge
Online gaming experience
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Good organizational skills, ability to remain focused
Superb work ethic
Ability to learn new technical skills quickly and effectively
High School diploma or equivalent required
Desirable skills
Experience and understanding of PC game testing
Software debugging and troubleshooting
Familiarity with Automated Testing practices
Tester on at least 1 released online software product
6 months software test experience
Automated Testing knowledge
Games industry experience preferred
Bachelors Degree or equivalent desirable
Left by David M on June 19th, 2003
Hey my names Jason and I am 13 years old. I am young but already know what i want to be when i grow older. I am looking forward to being a video game tester. I like this profession because i love playing video games and I can do it for many hours at a time. If you have any imformation on how I can become one please answer me back
Thanks
Left by Jason Harris on June 29th, 2003
Greetings! I am a 30 year old video game veteran. Having played video games since their inception,(Yes I played Pong, shhh don’ tell anyone) I have a great working knowledge on what works and what doesn’t. Cutting to the subject, I am looking for any game tester positions available as I have recently become hindered in my ability to travel any distance from home. Please contact me as soon as possible on any positions you may have for an experienced gamer like myself.
Left by James on June 29th, 2003
lol.
Left by Jared on July 2nd, 2003
Hi james!
what to do and learn in order to become a game tester?
got an interview and really want to become a game tester, what shall I say???
Thanks
D.
Left by david on July 2nd, 2003
Hello, everybody:
NOBODY HERE CAN HELP YOU GET A JOB AS A GAME TESTER. NOBODY HERE IS A GAME TESTER. IF YOU WANT TO BE ONE, PLEASE GO TO THE APPROPRIATE COMPANY WEBSITE.
Left by Dave on July 2nd, 2003
Hi my name is jason and i’m verey interested in being a game tester. I’m 25 and i’ve played video games ever sense the first nintendo came out. I’ve played the nes, snes, the n64,gameboy,ps1,ps2, and the xbox. With all the games i played i was able to tell that there were things still wrong with the game they were good games but they could have ben beater. I would like the opratunity to do something i alwas wanted to do. Thank you for your time.
Left by jason w collins on July 3rd, 2003
To quote Dave, “NOBODY HERE CAN HELP YOU GET A JOB AS A GAME TESTER. NOBODY HERE IS A GAME TESTER. IF YOU WANT TO BE ONE, PLEASE GO TO THE APPROPRIATE COMPANY WEBSITE.” It’s good to see that mom was right — if all you do is play video games, you end up being a dumbass.
Time to close the comments here…
Left by John on July 3rd, 2003