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Life of a Game Tester (not for the weak)


Ztalker

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Heya

 

How many of the forumites here would love to test games? Most of them, I'd guess. But is the job of game-tester really like the dream we think it is?

 

I discovered this log, about a game tester. He became a total wreck, he got depressed. It's a sick story. Really sick.

 

About the hours he worked:

I clocked over 110 hours that week. Consider that. 110 hours. Let's stop and run the numbers. There are 168 hours in a week. 168 minus 110 is 58. Subtract the lunch breaks, dinner breaks, and commutes, and you end up with 44. That's 44 hours that week not spent in the office, near the office, going to the office, or leaving the office.

 

Read the Full article here

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I could never become a game tester, because I play games for fun and once something transfers from being a hobby to being a job, then you've lost the enjoyment of being able to do it on your terms.

 

Unfortunately for game testers, the video game industry is rapidly becoming one of THE primary entertainment industries. This means increased pressure to perform up to 100% standards and heavier workloads. Eurch, not for me. I play games to slack, not to bust my ass.

 

Edit: y'know, I think I'm going to be a little less hard on delayed games after reading that.

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I actually have a pal in the industry and in that job and he loves it. Yes, you won't see him months on end when there's deadline on the table.

 

Y'know. I've done 50 hour weeks at fast food with a boss that came onsite lit up on meth. I've worked two full-time jobs that I despised to get the bills paid. I temped at Microsoft and was thrilled until the contract ended and left me in the lurch with rent due.

 

It's that "contract ending abruptly" clause and the lack of health insurance that gives me pause about game testing.

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Anyone seen the ridiculous movie called "Grandma's Boy"?

 

If not, it's a satirical comedy on the life of an aging tester.

It's a HAPPY MADISON production so it's a little off the beaten path, but it's hysterical nonetheless. At least some parts of it are.

 

If this is how the game testing industry is, then where do I sign up?

 

I believe it's rated R, and it should be. But those of you old enough to view mature drug and sex references, go ahead and try not to laugh.

 

...and those of you not old enough, don't worry, you'll have plenty of time for junk like this later. For now, do your homework!

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