I wanted to be a game designer for a long time then i realized that the job paid terribly and you never got to really do your own "thing" unless you're at blizzard or something (LOL GL getting in there unless you're a goddamn genius)
You feel designers have greater individual control in a larger, established company than a smaller one? Interesting theory.
Blizzard is an exception. Just like Pixar. Or Google. Or Nintendo. And that's one of the reasons these companies are so successful
There ARE big companies that let you do whatever but those controlled by bigger ones like EA/activision generally don't.
You don't need a college degree for either QA or Design. Many people infact use QA as a stepping stone into the game industry.
The best chance of getting a QA job is to play the companies game until you know it inside or out. If that isn't possible just playing the genre of games that they work on helps. If you were looking into an MMO company you should have lots of experience playing MMO's.
Once you have your foot in the door and you're working there, you can work your way into design. Most companies I've worked for allow you to apply for another department after like 6 months of working there.
I've never really thought of a QA job.
So basicly, if you have a lot of gaming *experience you can apply for a job, if you get it, you test games etc and after 6 months you can apply for another deparment (i.e design etc)
Yeah, for QA the more knowledge you have of their game or the genre of the game, the more valuable you are as a tester. You also have to come off as being professional. The companies I've been at just don't hire anyone. You need to have good communication skills and take the job seriously. It's not the "I get to play games all day" idea that everyone has of the position. It's work and it's not an easy job to be a good tester.
Game designer is a lot toguher to get into without experience in the industry. Even with a degree from a credited design school it's hard because without the experience you're still looked at as an entry level candidate. Honestly, we would take a internal QA person who shows the potential to be a good designer over someone with a degree and no experience. The upside of the QA person is that they are already at our company and they work with our tools and need very little training.
To move into design though, you need to show that you're capable of being a designer. Being a good designer is not someone who thinks of ideas. Everyone can come up with good ideas and honestly, 9 times out of 10 your great idea has already been thought of. You need to be creative, have a passion for games and have the ability to put those ideas into practice with the tools that you're given. It's work.
Sounds like a fun work.
No kind of education for it? Guess nothing but personal experience with gaming.
If you think about it, playing games is your education. It's like reading a book to get the knowledge you need from it. You can learn from every game that you play.
Originally posted by Justin83x Hey I was just thinking the other day. It would be nice to be a game tester or something along those lines for a life career. So my question is pretty much what can you guys tell me about the whole process you went through, and whats it like doing that as a job. Also anything else you feel important just add. Thx.
Tester is preferably a person with some programming background who seeks flaws in a program.
Game designer is basically a person responsible for future development of certain part of the project.
Being a game tester is no different from any Quality Assurance job you can get in pretty much any production environment.
Game designer can be then compared to a manager responsible for his department and team.
It is a business and jobs like any other, just you look at it from customer/player perspective.
Originally posted by Izork I just saw IO Interactive (Big danish company, made Hitman, Kane and Lynch) recruiting QA testers And from their recruitement I saw no education needs
Not sure how it works in Denmark. In the US, you get 600 applications. You don't want to read all these applications so you filter some out. Who is filtered out first? The people without college degrees. This will remove about 400 applications and now all you have to do is read 200 applications.
QA Tester - Unless you get a job at a good company, you can expect to be laid off everytime a project finishes. Unless you have solid programming history or prove yourself obviously better than co-workers, Tester=Temp. yes, this will involve you taking efforts to make others you work with look bad during early years. if you can't stomach social sabotage, don't continue.
Designer - These are the hardest jobs to get at any established company. Everyone wants to be the idea man, not everyone has the true skills it takes to get those ideas moved from headcase to computer.
Those "Design" Schools - Are a joke. Tweak that sound on level 3. Ya. Goto a real college, get a real degree, have real life-experiences to build your ideas from. Also, read into the specific career path you want. You can't go into the games industry thinking you'll "feel your way through", you have to have some baseline goals and ambitions or you'll burn out before you even start.
Other things, save money and pay your way into a GDC or 2. Networking between people, especially people in industry, gets you good picture of what the job really will entail. Plus, you can learn a lot at the conferences.
Also, don't go into this industry if you're not prepared to work long, long, long hours. Regardless of what the bleeding-hearts may say, Crunch-Time happens, will probably always happen with a successful title, and just needs to be put up and dealt with. Make sure you stay on an Hourly rate as long as possible, earn your checks, and know when you finally have a life again, thats when you spend like a high-roller.
Lets Push Things Forward
I knew I would live to design games at age 7, issue 5 of Nintendo Power.
Support games with subs when you believe in their potential, even in spite of their flaws.
I just saw IO Interactive (Big danish company, made Hitman, Kane and Lynch) recruiting QA testers And from their recruitement I saw no education needs
Not sure how it works in Denmark. In the US, you get 600 applications. You don't want to read all these applications so you filter some out. Who is filtered out first? The people without college degrees. This will remove about 400 applications and now all you have to do is read 200 applications.
I don't think it's the same here in Denmark.
Now, I'm almost 17 only so I guess I can't get work right now, but what would be good to meanwhile? Since I find QA tester a properly work for me in the future ( I have had a lot of trouble finding something that I want to do).
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
I just saw IO Interactive (Big danish company, made Hitman, Kane and Lynch) recruiting QA testers And from their recruitement I saw no education needs
Not sure how it works in Denmark. In the US, you get 600 applications. You don't want to read all these applications so you filter some out. Who is filtered out first? The people without college degrees. This will remove about 400 applications and now all you have to do is read 200 applications.
I don't think it's the same here in Denmark.
Now, I'm almost 17 only so I guess I can't get work right now, but what would be good to meanwhile? Since I find QA tester a properly work for me in the future ( I have had a lot of trouble finding something that I want to do).
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
All companies are different but very few of the QA testers have programming exeperience. Any kind of technical experience that you have helps but in my experience, it's not required. The QA guys with programming experience usually fills a position called QA Engineer which is at a higher level position than a QA tester.
Again, all companies are different on how they are setup.
The companies I have worked for have read all applications. They choose the ones with potential and give them phone screens. If the phone screens go well, then they are offered an in person interview. I've never been at a place that automatically filters by having a degree or not. Like I said though, all places are different.
I just saw IO Interactive (Big danish company, made Hitman, Kane and Lynch) recruiting QA testers And from their recruitement I saw no education needs
Not sure how it works in Denmark. In the US, you get 600 applications. You don't want to read all these applications so you filter some out. Who is filtered out first? The people without college degrees. This will remove about 400 applications and now all you have to do is read 200 applications.
I don't think it's the same here in Denmark.
Now, I'm almost 17 only so I guess I can't get work right now, but what would be good to meanwhile? Since I find QA tester a properly work for me in the future ( I have had a lot of trouble finding something that I want to do).
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
All companies are different but very few of the QA testers have programming exeperience. Any kind of technical experience that you have helps but in my experience, it's not required. The QA guys with programming experience usually fills a position called QA Engineer which is at a higher level position than a QA tester.
Again, all companies are different on how they are setup.
The companies I have worked for have read all applications. They choose the ones with potential and give them phone screens. If the phone screens go well, then they are offered an in person interview. I've never been at a place that automatically filters by having a degree or not. Like I said though, all places are different.
Hm okay I see.
I guess I'd have more chance of getting a job as a QA if I'm older right? Or?
Originally posted by Izork Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Well I guess what I'm asking is that if I can make a living of being a QA?
And if I should do something to get better at it, since I'm only 17 and I guess they take older people only.
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Well I guess what I'm asking is that if I can make a living of being a QA?
And if I should do something to get better at it, since I'm only 17 and I guess they take older people only.
No one makes a career out of being a QA. As someone above said, it is generally temp or part-time work. Most of the people i've seen do it are around college age and do it as 'fun' part time work to get through school; compared to working some other crappy job kids your age get.. Since your only 17, I'd suggest setting your goals higher, unless you want to work for barely above minimum wage forever.
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Well I guess what I'm asking is that if I can make a living of being a QA?
And if I should do something to get better at it, since I'm only 17 and I guess they take older people only.
No one makes a career out of being a QA. As someone above said, it is generally temp or part-time work. Most of the people i've seen do it are around college age and do it as 'fun' part time work to get through school; compared to working some other crappy job kids your age get.. Since your only 17, I'd suggest setting your goals higher, unless you want to work for barely above minimum wage forever.
"Quality Assurance: By contrast, testers tend to have the fewest years of experience, with nearly half having been in the industry less than three years. They are also the lowest-paid professionals, averaging $37,905--although for QA employees who do stick around for more than six years, that average salary more than doubles."
So Yeah, entry level testers are not paid huge salaries but you can make a career out of it if you want and end up making a decent living. QA isn't for everyone but it's a solid place to start and it provides oppurtunity to move up in the company.
Hey thanks to everyone that posted. This has given me something to think about, and I look at the whole thing alot differently now. Again thanks alot everyone.
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Well I guess what I'm asking is that if I can make a living of being a QA?
And if I should do something to get better at it, since I'm only 17 and I guess they take older people only.
No one makes a career out of being a QA. As someone above said, it is generally temp or part-time work. Most of the people i've seen do it are around college age and do it as 'fun' part time work to get through school; compared to working some other crappy job kids your age get.. Since your only 17, I'd suggest setting your goals higher, unless you want to work for barely above minimum wage forever.
"Quality Assurance: By contrast, testers tend to have the fewest years of experience, with nearly half having been in the industry less than three years. They are also the lowest-paid professionals, averaging $37,905--although for QA employees who do stick around for more than six years, that average salary more than doubles."
So Yeah, entry level testers are not paid huge salaries but you can make a career out of it if you want and end up making a decent living. QA isn't for everyone but it's a solid place to start and it provides oppurtunity to move up in the company.
Yeah, and I don't want to really make a big career and all.
I've always worked with my hands when I worked, making kitchens and stuff. But I love gaming more, and I'm good at it aswell.
I was not a genius in school, I was decent. As all I could find out, QA requires decent/good English speak/write, i couldn't find much other requirements.
The biggest asset as a QA tester you can get is a second language like Japanese. It is the most permanent skill needed for QA testers, and these testers are usually hired directly by the studio instead of through a 3rd party. Most studios get QA testers through 3rd party temp companies, so having QA tester as a career is not really plausible. It will pay your bills through your 20's but nothing that will get you anywhere. Being a QA tester is the most competitive and the least rewarding job in the game industry.
When you are talking about education required for the Game Industries positions, a degree won't get you the job. Going to college is an easy way to concentrate enough to learn the material and get the skills you need for the specific job, however it can be an unproductive endeavour and put you in debt for atleast 10 years. If you do decide to go to college, you should be aiming for a broad degree that covers the skills necessary to get into the game industry yet offer the oppurtunity to find another line of work. Its very hard to get a job in the game industry even when you are the top student at your school. Good degrees are Computer Engineering/Science, Writing, Business, and Marketing.
The other method to get skills has a more garunteed way to get you into the game industry if you are going down a design or art path. Try to become someones apprentice who is already working in the game industry. You will most likely work directly on projects related to the game industry and get experience and references without having to pay money. Most people working in the game industry will gladly take on apprentices or GOFORs who show enthusiasm.
The last method is to try and mod games or create you own small flash games.
Comments
Blizzard is an exception. Just like Pixar. Or Google. Or Nintendo. And that's one of the reasons these companies are so successful
There ARE big companies that let you do whatever but those controlled by bigger ones like EA/activision generally don't.
at least that's how I understand it
Sounds like a fun work.
No kind of education for it? Guess nothing but personal experience with gaming.
I just saw IO Interactive (Big danish company, made Hitman, Kane and Lynch) recruiting QA testers
And from their recruitement I saw no education needs
Quote:
Responsibilitie s:
• Find and report issues in the game (AKA bugs and inconsistencies )
• Clarify issues (providing detailed information if necessary)
• Verify the resolution of issues and seeing them through to the end of the testing process
• Thoroughly test a specific feature/executi ng test case (Targeting Testing).
• Testing for certification requirements from Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo
• Provide assistance for the Development team
• Testing of the game as a whole
The perfect candidate:
• Has an eye for details
• Boasts a highly evolved work ethic and sense of discipline
• Is enthusiastic about games (and finding bugs in them)
• Can read, write, and speak English at a fluent or near-fluent level
• Works well in diverse teams
• Is not afraid of taking on responsibility/ additional work
If you think about it, playing games is your education. It's like reading a book to get the knowledge you need from it. You can learn from every game that you play.
Tester is preferably a person with some programming background who seeks flaws in a program.
Game designer is basically a person responsible for future development of certain part of the project.
Being a game tester is no different from any Quality Assurance job you can get in pretty much any production environment.
Game designer can be then compared to a manager responsible for his department and team.
It is a business and jobs like any other, just you look at it from customer/player perspective.
Not sure how it works in Denmark. In the US, you get 600 applications. You don't want to read all these applications so you filter some out. Who is filtered out first? The people without college degrees. This will remove about 400 applications and now all you have to do is read 200 applications.
Well shave my back and call me an elf! -- Oghren
Few quick things to add:
QA Tester - Unless you get a job at a good company, you can expect to be laid off everytime a project finishes. Unless you have solid programming history or prove yourself obviously better than co-workers, Tester=Temp. yes, this will involve you taking efforts to make others you work with look bad during early years. if you can't stomach social sabotage, don't continue.
Designer - These are the hardest jobs to get at any established company. Everyone wants to be the idea man, not everyone has the true skills it takes to get those ideas moved from headcase to computer.
Those "Design" Schools - Are a joke. Tweak that sound on level 3. Ya. Goto a real college, get a real degree, have real life-experiences to build your ideas from. Also, read into the specific career path you want. You can't go into the games industry thinking you'll "feel your way through", you have to have some baseline goals and ambitions or you'll burn out before you even start.
Other things, save money and pay your way into a GDC or 2. Networking between people, especially people in industry, gets you good picture of what the job really will entail. Plus, you can learn a lot at the conferences.
Also, don't go into this industry if you're not prepared to work long, long, long hours. Regardless of what the bleeding-hearts may say, Crunch-Time happens, will probably always happen with a successful title, and just needs to be put up and dealt with. Make sure you stay on an Hourly rate as long as possible, earn your checks, and know when you finally have a life again, thats when you spend like a high-roller.
Lets Push Things Forward
I knew I would live to design games at age 7, issue 5 of Nintendo Power.
Support games with subs when you believe in their potential, even in spite of their flaws.
I don't think it's the same here in Denmark.
Now, I'm almost 17 only so I guess I can't get work right now, but what would be good to meanwhile? Since I find QA tester a properly work for me in the future ( I have had a lot of trouble finding something that I want to do).
Do you NEED any programming skills, or is it a + ?
All companies are different but very few of the QA testers have programming exeperience. Any kind of technical experience that you have helps but in my experience, it's not required. The QA guys with programming experience usually fills a position called QA Engineer which is at a higher level position than a QA tester.
Again, all companies are different on how they are setup.
The companies I have worked for have read all applications. They choose the ones with potential and give them phone screens. If the phone screens go well, then they are offered an in person interview. I've never been at a place that automatically filters by having a degree or not. Like I said though, all places are different.
Hm okay I see.
I guess I'd have more chance of getting a job as a QA if I'm older right? Or?
QA is monitoring the whole process of project development thus programming skills are mandatory at some point.
It all depends on company organization and needs. I guess you ask about 'unqualified' beta(alpha) level testing where programming skills are 'just a +'.
Well I guess what I'm asking is that if I can make a living of being a QA?
And if I should do something to get better at it, since I'm only 17 and I guess they take older people only.
I am not sure you have a right picture about what QA is...
Playing a game whole day long and being paid for it is rather far from it.
To understand what QA is doing, google up ISO 9000 methods and alike.
Yes, I'm certain thats not just playing a game all day.
No one makes a career out of being a QA. As someone above said, it is generally temp or part-time work. Most of the people i've seen do it are around college age and do it as 'fun' part time work to get through school; compared to working some other crappy job kids your age get.. Since your only 17, I'd suggest setting your goals higher, unless you want to work for barely above minimum wage forever.
This is simply untrue.
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=568161
"Quality Assurance: By contrast, testers tend to have the fewest years of experience, with nearly half having been in the industry less than three years. They are also the lowest-paid professionals, averaging $37,905--although for QA employees who do stick around for more than six years, that average salary more than doubles."
So Yeah, entry level testers are not paid huge salaries but you can make a career out of it if you want and end up making a decent living. QA isn't for everyone but it's a solid place to start and it provides oppurtunity to move up in the company.
Hey thanks to everyone that posted. This has given me something to think about, and I look at the whole thing alot differently now. Again thanks alot everyone.
Yeah, and I don't want to really make a big career and all.
I've always worked with my hands when I worked, making kitchens and stuff. But I love gaming more, and I'm good at it aswell.
I was not a genius in school, I was decent. As all I could find out, QA requires decent/good English speak/write, i couldn't find much other requirements.
The biggest asset as a QA tester you can get is a second language like Japanese. It is the most permanent skill needed for QA testers, and these testers are usually hired directly by the studio instead of through a 3rd party. Most studios get QA testers through 3rd party temp companies, so having QA tester as a career is not really plausible. It will pay your bills through your 20's but nothing that will get you anywhere. Being a QA tester is the most competitive and the least rewarding job in the game industry.
When you are talking about education required for the Game Industries positions, a degree won't get you the job. Going to college is an easy way to concentrate enough to learn the material and get the skills you need for the specific job, however it can be an unproductive endeavour and put you in debt for atleast 10 years. If you do decide to go to college, you should be aiming for a broad degree that covers the skills necessary to get into the game industry yet offer the oppurtunity to find another line of work. Its very hard to get a job in the game industry even when you are the top student at your school. Good degrees are Computer Engineering/Science, Writing, Business, and Marketing.
The other method to get skills has a more garunteed way to get you into the game industry if you are going down a design or art path. Try to become someones apprentice who is already working in the game industry. You will most likely work directly on projects related to the game industry and get experience and references without having to pay money. Most people working in the game industry will gladly take on apprentices or GOFORs who show enthusiasm.
The last method is to try and mod games or create you own small flash games.