'The Tester' contestants should probably have read this account first

Wut?

Yeah, the prize isn't necessarily the main reward. It's the doors opened while getting there in networking with important people in the industry and the media exposure.

"(not unlike how many American Idol contestants get record deals, despite not winning the competition)"

But that's not the same thing at all. I really doubt anyone in this contest is going to get scooped up by some major game developer.

lol wut? is more like it.

You do know that ANYONE can be a video game tester, the only requirement is that you're 18. No reality show history required.

Major Developers require that you have completed secondary education.

Game testing is not as easy as it sounds.

Since getting a job as a videogame tester is so easy, why are these people on this show to battle it out for one? Because there's more at stake than just a job as a tester. If one of the contestants gets popular, or, as I said previously, proves to be knowledgeable about games and/or videogame theory (maybe more than your average gamer), there could be companies that come knocking with potential job opportunities, whatever those may be. I'm not saying they'd end up being game developers or high-level game testers, but if developers see that contestants could be of benefit, I could definitely see some of these contestants getting jobs.

And, like I said before, there is a lot at stake for the females on the show. I don't doubt that there are companies looking for the next Jessica Chobot or whomever, and this show could very well yield some potential talent that fits into their plans.

getting a job like that is pretty easy if you live in the right place...

one of my buddies got hired by 2k games to test borderlands but he quit after a couple months because the job sucked so much and he wouldnt recommend it anymore lol.

if you live in the san fernando valley or LA in general there are jobs out there...

Game testing involves repetitious hours of playing levels over and over, creating extremely detailed reports so developers cant quickly figure out and fix problems. Generally game testers are not just any joe schmoe. Game companies look for people with skills that can help them in future, as game testing is an entry level position. Many many programmers and designers must start as game testers. There are exceptions of course.

*Can

Doors do get opened for testers after spending a lot of time testing games and coming up with good constructive criticism. As a professional game developer myself I can say without a doubt that the kind of shit they go through on the show doesn't prepare them for it in any way. To test a game you can't really be a hard core gamer. Hard core gamers get annoyed easily and have a short temper. They need to be entertained the whole time they play the game. Testing games is thoroughly un-entertaining.

The kind of doors that do open to those who prove themselves and actually voice out their opinions, that is if they are any good, are for designer positions. Jaffe (God of War dude) started off as a tester but he didn't become a lead game designer over night, nor was it an easy process to begin with.

Also, game design isn't as exciting as some people like to believe. It involves a lot of writing for design documents and actually putting the whole game into words. How every level plays out, how everything is supposed to look and feel. Basically everything that the programmers, artists and technical designers need to know to make the game. It's a grueling process and it takes a really long time before you see your work coming to fruition if at all.

Exactly WHAT kind of "exposure" could anyone hope to get on a reality show made specifically for an online network on a single gaming console?...

And exactly what kind of "doors" would being on such a show open?...

I'm sorry, but it's hard to believe that anyone grounded in reality would be making an appearance on The Tester as a contestant for anything other than the prize, and to a lesser extent, the "fun" they're sure to have on the show...

Let's be serious here; I don't exactly see anyone from the myriad game shows on G4TV attending Red Carpet events...

I think a better show for Sony/Playstation would be "The Producer." Basically, get MBA grads/JDs/those with more significant professional experience (being a cheerleading coach or a production assistant doesn't count) a chance to compete for a job with Sony because....they are secretly hard-core gamers. Not "I buy Madden on release day" types....I'm talking about really hard-core gaming types. They buy MAG on release day anyway. Or Imagine Figure Skating because they might like it. Have them do business/team projects a la the Apprentice that involves a made-up game/beta tested game. No 'gamers' would watch it, but it would be more realistic job preview than having people playing paintball and watching them play Uncharted 2.

I doubt very seriously that most of the people on the show could do well in a professional environment or in that sort of situation.

Yeah,I agree. Hell, that "Star" chick is Ciji from WCG Ultimate Gamer that aired on Sci-Fi so she has been on TV before on another reality show.

Granted this is limited exposure but still... its getting your face out there.

LOL WUT.

THe only exposure they are getting is the fact that they are being put on display for their ignorance to pu compete in a contest where the "prize" isn't one. Bravo. I'll take internet anonymity anyday.

it reminds me of that old nickolodeon show, wild and crazy kids. just a bunch of out of shape people running around shooting each other with water pistols and doing challenges that requires trampolines and throwing pies for some reason.

....whatever the hell that means......

You don't know what it means? What are you, 5?

Since when is nuseouse a word?

...Guess we now know how many JS trolls it takes to screw in a lightbulb.

You mean the black people?

omg hidden racism! lololol!!!111

should be posted in every "The Tester" thread for it is the truth.

That's funny, unfortunately the first game I work on for Sony was Mary Kate & Ashely Crush Course PSX.

It makes me puke of its adorableness.

I wouldn't want to test for Polyphony. You'd be playing the SAME GAME for five years plus.

.....and what's wrong for playing the awesomeness that is GT5 for 5+ years?

Your not testing GT5... your testing why car #248 can pass though collision object #1,214 when driving in reverse with the handbrake on... Why the game crashes when the back left tire hits a traffic cone... Why when you hold Circle, Triangle, L1, R3 and scroll up on the track selection screen the camera starts to spin...

Game testing isn't about playing a game... it's about breaking a bug ridden peace of crap until your eyeballs bleed...

...that wouldn't be a reality show, that would be the last episode if anything.
That is, if this thing even makes it to the 3rd episode.

His facial expression reminds me of our own Aggie_CEO

You mean that's not the same black guy that posts here?
They must be related or follow the same guide to taking badass pics :-P

^^^Racist.

UnCyrus has a hell of a lot of Platinums for being 'just an actor'.