View Full Version : Test run GTAIV..
nOs jOn
03-07-2007, 11:22 PM
Rockstar North is looking for game testers. They are offering an 8month contract which if you were hired in April would finish in December... therefor its likely that GTAIV would be one of the games in that period of time that you would be required to test.
Link: http://www.rockstargames.com/jobs/
*from the page
ROCKSTAR NORTH - Games Tester
Job Description
Rockstar North is looking for enthusiastic and passionate game testers to join its QA teams. You will be expected to play through our games looking for problems and accurately reporting errors to ensure game quality before release.
The position is for a full-time fixed term contract running for eight months.
Candidates must be 18 years of age and above and provide two references. To apply please send your CV and a covering letter or email detailing your history as a gamer and why you think you have the skills to make a good tester.
Required
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must; as is attention to detail and good general computer skills, including word-processing; working with databases and spreadsheets.
Desired
* Previous industry experience with software QA would be advantageous but not essential.
PLEASE NOTE: Rockstar are only interested in direct applications for this position and will not be inviting agencies to forward candidates.
Contact:
cv@rockstarnorth.com
Rockstar North
Calton Square
1 Greenside Row
Edinburgh
EH1 3AP
att: Recruitment
http://www.rockstarnorth.com
Slim Trashman
03-07-2007, 11:26 PM
Damn, well good news too anyone with the experience and of age. Unfortunately, I'm under 18 :(
Thanks for sharing this though.
Some of you guys should really snap this one up asap. If I could I'd do it, but I really lack experience, a year on my life and a necessary console.
The top Don
03-08-2007, 12:38 AM
ohhhhhh 3 more years
Ash_735
03-08-2007, 02:19 AM
Rockstar NYC are also looking for Game Testers, surely someone could try out, I would but lacking a few months on age.
victim
03-08-2007, 02:29 AM
If I was 18 I'd almost definitely do it. However I wouldn't as it would most likely involve me moving to Edinburgh.
The top Don
03-08-2007, 02:38 AM
someone from GTA has to be able to go (give us the info)
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 03:19 AM
/me applies.
Jimmy_86
03-08-2007, 03:25 AM
Pretty interesting. I'd consider it if I didn't live about as far away from Edinburgh as you possibly can. Olin's right, someone should definately apply. Clansman lives in Scotland doesn't he?
EDIT: Nice one Xeroer!
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 04:01 AM
Few things you should remember when applying, and those with expience know these all too well.
- Testing video games is often a dull and repetitive job.
- The pay is usually like you are doing it for community service.
- In some environments, Q.A testers have a tough time with the "higher" employees in the production team. E.g. programmers.
- Start early, finish late.
- Nothing you see/do/hear will leave the office. You will be in a legal binding contract that will prevent you from letting anyone know what you do.
I can imagine with these projects, there would be severe consequences for leaking the smallest detail.
T-Virus
03-08-2007, 06:50 AM
Hey! I might very well consider this. Most of the work might be boring, but it's worth a shot. I don't really have good computerskills though, but I've been through some beta testing. F.ex BF 2142 Northern strike.
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 08:14 AM
Hey! I might very well consider this. Most of the work might be boring, but it's worth a shot. I don't really have good computerskills though, but I've been through some beta testing. F.ex BF 2142 Northern strike.
What type of bugs did you have to documentate?
And was it in-house?
Working in beta teams online is so very different to QA testing in an office. You need to documentate very clearly (with extensive knowledge of the workings of the system/computer/game etc) to the programmers, and others in the production team.
phreak
03-08-2007, 08:52 AM
I'm 19 and have a 360, and hell, I'd do it. But I think because it's Rockstar North, it means I'd have to move to Scotland right? I've wanted to go to the UK for a while now, but I don't quite think I'm ready to move there just yet :P
I'm a Robot
03-08-2007, 09:14 AM
Dammit it isn't fair probably the majority of GTA game players are under the age of 18 dang this stinks:(
And even if i was 18 or on up i'd have to move and take along plane flight from South Carolina to Scotland.:(
T-Virus
03-08-2007, 09:28 AM
Oh.. I didn't even think of the location of this. Well, Norway is a bit to far away.
I'm not that certain that most GTA players are below 18. Practicly every dude I know plays GTA, or have played it since GTA 1.
What type of bugs did you have to documentate?
And was it in-house?
Working in beta teams online is so very different to QA testing in an office. You need to documentate very clearly (with extensive knowledge of the workings of the system/computer/game etc) to the programmers, and others in the production team.
I only reported glitches in the game actually. From my own living room. I only have basic computer skills, so I'll guess this is not for me. I'm old enough though. Probably the oldest member on this forums:)
Cutts
03-08-2007, 09:31 AM
Are you 60+?
T-Virus
03-08-2007, 09:33 AM
nope, 27:) are you 60+?
Too bad though. I could like this kinda job.
Cutts
03-08-2007, 09:37 AM
You should go for it. Think of it as a long vacation.
T-Virus
03-08-2007, 09:43 AM
Yeah, I'd love it. But I only have limited computer skills, and I run a record shop back here in Norway. I can't really quit this awesome job anytime soon, because I really like it. They should have online testers too:)
Zidane
03-08-2007, 09:43 AM
If you weren't required to move, I would totally do it. I've beta tested tons of games before, all but one were done from my own home.
Darn.
Cpt_Chris
03-08-2007, 10:14 AM
as cool as that sounds i cant just drop out of college for 8 months :( wish i could though, think I might have an adequate chance of getting in, being in the industry and all.
I'd go for it but i'm nowhere near Rockstar sigh..
nOs jOn
03-08-2007, 01:36 PM
Few things you should remember when applying, and those with expience know these all too well.
- Testing video games is often a dull and repetitive job.
- The pay is usually like you are doing it for community service.
- In some environments, Q.A testers have a tough time with the "higher" employees in the production team. E.g. programmers.
- Start early, finish late.
- Nothing you see/do/hear will leave the office. You will be in a legal binding contract that will prevent you from letting anyone know what you do.
I can imagine with these projects, there would be severe consequences for leaking the smallest detail.
completely! no one thinks of the bad side when you hear "games tester required"
I was thinking about applying, moving to Scotland for a bit, but with all i'm not really sure I could handle the job, I don't wanna be sick of playing games... And I am pretty sure I would rather see the finished version of GTAIV from the comfort of my own home rather than a in work process..
Slim Trashman
03-08-2007, 01:48 PM
/me applies.
I can't believe I didn't think of you when I saw this. You would be perfect!
voodoo
03-08-2007, 02:00 PM
Darn it. :(
If I had experience and was a good few years older I might just apply for it.
Xeroer nailed it. I'm certain that all of the fun would be taken out of it. I've beta tested before and I know there are ads on g4tv like "cool! i get to play video games all day!" but that's a myth. You have to report things, you have to test boring parts, you can't show anything to anyone, you get to see things you like changed around on a whim, and most of all it can be anywhere from smooth to extremely buggy. If you do encounter a bug you have to report it, and then try to repeat it. You would have to run the character into a wall 100 times, then change his shirt and run him into the wall 100 times, then change the gun and run him 100 times. It can be really frustrating and you'll really bang YOUR head against the wall.
I meet the requirements but I'm going to pass on it for those reasons and not to mention I'm still in college ;p
Slim Trashman
03-08-2007, 03:28 PM
If I met requirements, I agree, I wouldn't want to test and ruin the experience, but with a game as huge as GTA, I believe it would be pretty cool to be one of the testers and get to talk with R* about it, see how it's all done.
billyboy_999
03-08-2007, 05:51 PM
My friend would be perfect for this... he can find bugs in programs that didn't exist before :)
But yeah beta testing sucks... at least you get your name in the credits, but not in any way worth moving to scotland for.
element3215
03-08-2007, 06:04 PM
it could be for gta...or the new manhunt game.
either way it would be awesome.
Rurouni
03-08-2007, 06:40 PM
i would want to do it if Im not Messing Up in highschool and Im 18 and over!
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 06:40 PM
Just going onto what I said earlier, "beta testing" isn't too much like "QA testing".
Like Kodo said, you'll be doing amazingly dull things.
Did you have any really annoying missions or things to do in the other GTA games?
Imagine doing it a thousand times, from 9am to 6pm.
Tester: "This mission doesn't appear buggy."
Programmer: "Doesn't appear? Play it again, double check"
Tester: "All done, no bugs."
Programmer: "Okay, try changing X to Y and play again. Twice."
Tester: "Works."
Programmer: "Y to Z. Repeat"
Tester: "Bug found."
Programmer: "Reproduce."
Tester: "Reproduced."
Programmer: "Documentate"
Great! A bug! This is really bad news for you. It means you need to sit around for a few hours going very slowly in the game and writing down what bug group it is in (e.g. A, B, C, D, F), write a few pages on how to get to it, what you believe causes it, and include information you may think that can prevent it.
By time GTA IV comes out, you won't want to touch any GTA game
Slim Trashman
03-08-2007, 07:03 PM
Well yeah, does sound pretty uh, "sucky". But if you could put that aside, personally, Xeroer, I think you'd be perfect for this.
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 08:07 PM
Well yeah, does sound pretty uh, "sucky". But if you could put that aside, personally, Xeroer, I think you'd be perfect for this.
Only reason I would apply for this is because, along with the previous QA testing (not just beta testing) I've done, it is considered "a foot in the door".
Might ruin the GTA IV experience for me, but I see it as a normal job that can lead to a high-paying career, as a senior programmer or such one day.
EDIT: Just sent in my resume with a cover letter.
If I am hired, this may be the last you guys hear of me 'till GTA IV/Manhunt 2 is released :P
billyboy_999
03-08-2007, 09:58 PM
Do you know how to program? It might help, so you kinda intuitively know where bugs might occur and stuff.
Slim Trashman
03-08-2007, 10:22 PM
Only reason I would apply for this is because, along with the previous QA testing (not just beta testing) I've done, it is considered "a foot in the door".
Might ruin the GTA IV experience for me, but I see it as a normal job that can lead to a high-paying career, as a senior programmer or such one day.
EDIT: Just sent in my resume with a cover letter.
If I am hired, this may be the last you guys hear of me 'till GTA IV/Manhunt 2 is released :P
Well good look with this. Rockstar would be crazy to not give you the job. You know too much about programming and other vg stuff to not get hired. Although, if you were hired, it would be a shame that you'd only really just gotten back and have to leave so soon :P
Would you mind posting your resume here, or PMing it to me? I'd just like to see what you said ;)
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 10:38 PM
My resume is quite blunt.
However, I detailed myself in the cover letter I wrote.
If you like, I could show you that, just see me on msn - xeroer@optusnet.com.au :)
nOs jOn
03-08-2007, 10:38 PM
Only reason I would apply for this is because, along with the previous QA testing (not just beta testing) I've done, it is considered "a foot in the door".
Might ruin the GTA IV experience for me, but I see it as a normal job that can lead to a high-paying career, as a senior programmer or such one day.
EDIT: Just sent in my resume with a cover letter.
If I am hired, this may be the last you guys hear of me 'till GTA IV/Manhunt 2 is released :P
Good luck man, you'll have to let us know after the release date all the shit about R*.. I'd like to see what you wrote as a cover letter too.
Xeroer
03-08-2007, 10:45 PM
Thanks guys.
I'm not too sure on the hiring proccess, so maybe I should keep things a little more confidential.
With the cover letter, I basically just outlined my past four years of experience in the Q.A and beta-testing areas.
I wrote a fair bit, but it was pretty beif. Just to give them an idea of my knowledge and what would make me a good candidate.
If they believe I am a good candidate, I will then go further to outline all my previous experience with programming.
Do you know how to program? It might help, so you kinda intuitively know where bugs might occur and stuff.
Experience in several languages.
kelvintwt
03-16-2007, 04:15 PM
well...hope u get hired by R*..gd luck :)
BigMike
03-17-2007, 06:27 PM
Ha good luck haha..
Game testers do get a lot of shit from high employees..just watch Grandma's Boy...haha