QA Testing - Now vs. Then - Rants & Suggestions
by backtracking · in General Discussion · 08/13/2005 (12:13 pm) · 1 replies
Hi Everyone,
I'm an indie by night, and a QA Tester by day. This is a rant, join in whenever ;)
I have to share something that seems to be a trend in the industry that I've noticed since being a tester.
I like to bring in older games for my co-workers to play, be it Genesis, Atari, etc.
Now these are the best testers in the industry (these guys have worked at the top 10 game companies consistently for years), I have them play these games, and these 2d games kick their butts (some testers are still old-school though).
I've noticed as games became 3d, they became easier then the 2d ones, because it seems like the human mind for some people, can't comprehend the depth a 3d game brings to their reactions, so developers made their games easier for people to play. This trend has continued and I think has made things worse then better for consumers. As an example, play Alien Hominid and see how far you get ;)
Are 3d games bad for the industry? The answer is obviously no, but I think there needs to be more 2d games. That's why I still love the Gameboy. It's the only platform that still pushes the 2d envelope, besides indie and casual games on computers.
The consumers get use to the easy-ness of the 3d games and how they control them in 3d, then go back to 2d, and can no longer comprehend how to control and play the 2d games well.
I just think this is bad for the industry. If the people (testers) who are the "last line of defense" before a title ships, and they can't play 2d games worth a crap, how bad is it really out there for consumers? Even when they are doing the same section of a level over and over again, they can't learn the patterns, or takes them a long time.
2d games are our foundation for the industry. I think they'll be forgotten or become more obscure, just as Television has pushed reading, lengthy oral community discussions/debates and plays to not being as popular as they once were.
It seems like society, as it becomes more complacent, doesn't like to memorize anything anymore. 2d games require you to memorize an entire game on a certain difficulty setting, and completing the game was an awesome sense of accomplishment. Because there is that set pattern you have to go by.
I know some memorization is required in 3d games as well, but there are so many variables in 3d, even though you may use the same items or weapons, or hit the boss "x" number of times, the odds of you doing it the same way every time are low. Why? You may be at a different angle, jumping, diving, hiding behind spmething, etc. So you may use the same procedure or plan to complete the game, but you will not use an established exact pattern to complete it. Granted, not all games fit this example.
Your brain is a pattern recognition computer. It worries me that the industry is forgetting its roots, and their brains are missing out on some exercise and utilizing their brains better, by memorizing patterns.
Another thing that bothers me are testers who don't know how to play 2d games hardly at all, know them, or won't play them, because the games "suck". I guess I show my age here, but the Playstation Generation seems less skilled in ALL types of games vs. the Atari or Nintendo Generations.
If you can dominate in Halo 2 online and play Robotron for 3 hours+ straight without losing all of your lives, then you have that increasingly unique skillset that the industry really needs now and consistently for the future.
I'm an indie by night, and a QA Tester by day. This is a rant, join in whenever ;)
I have to share something that seems to be a trend in the industry that I've noticed since being a tester.
I like to bring in older games for my co-workers to play, be it Genesis, Atari, etc.
Now these are the best testers in the industry (these guys have worked at the top 10 game companies consistently for years), I have them play these games, and these 2d games kick their butts (some testers are still old-school though).
I've noticed as games became 3d, they became easier then the 2d ones, because it seems like the human mind for some people, can't comprehend the depth a 3d game brings to their reactions, so developers made their games easier for people to play. This trend has continued and I think has made things worse then better for consumers. As an example, play Alien Hominid and see how far you get ;)
Are 3d games bad for the industry? The answer is obviously no, but I think there needs to be more 2d games. That's why I still love the Gameboy. It's the only platform that still pushes the 2d envelope, besides indie and casual games on computers.
The consumers get use to the easy-ness of the 3d games and how they control them in 3d, then go back to 2d, and can no longer comprehend how to control and play the 2d games well.
I just think this is bad for the industry. If the people (testers) who are the "last line of defense" before a title ships, and they can't play 2d games worth a crap, how bad is it really out there for consumers? Even when they are doing the same section of a level over and over again, they can't learn the patterns, or takes them a long time.
2d games are our foundation for the industry. I think they'll be forgotten or become more obscure, just as Television has pushed reading, lengthy oral community discussions/debates and plays to not being as popular as they once were.
It seems like society, as it becomes more complacent, doesn't like to memorize anything anymore. 2d games require you to memorize an entire game on a certain difficulty setting, and completing the game was an awesome sense of accomplishment. Because there is that set pattern you have to go by.
I know some memorization is required in 3d games as well, but there are so many variables in 3d, even though you may use the same items or weapons, or hit the boss "x" number of times, the odds of you doing it the same way every time are low. Why? You may be at a different angle, jumping, diving, hiding behind spmething, etc. So you may use the same procedure or plan to complete the game, but you will not use an established exact pattern to complete it. Granted, not all games fit this example.
Your brain is a pattern recognition computer. It worries me that the industry is forgetting its roots, and their brains are missing out on some exercise and utilizing their brains better, by memorizing patterns.
Another thing that bothers me are testers who don't know how to play 2d games hardly at all, know them, or won't play them, because the games "suck". I guess I show my age here, but the Playstation Generation seems less skilled in ALL types of games vs. the Atari or Nintendo Generations.
If you can dominate in Halo 2 online and play Robotron for 3 hours+ straight without losing all of your lives, then you have that increasingly unique skillset that the industry really needs now and consistently for the future.
backtracking
Suggestion to kids just now hitting the 18-21 year old mark, or will soon (or anyone of any age wanting to test games), and want to get in the industry by testing games:
1) Use the resources of the internet, ebay, flea markets, libraries, etc; to play games on the old gaming platforms and research them. Start at the 1960s. Then spend about 2 months on each decade until you get to the 1990s. Spend at least 4 months on the 1990s to 2000. Then spend 4 months on 2001-2010 (this will get read in the future, right?) and every decade on out, because technology grows faster and gains more depth quicker then most can keep up with. You don't have to play every single one (impossible), but you should know at least the top 20 games for each plat form ever made, or 70% thereof. Know your games.
2) Like to read, as that will be where you get the majority of your knowledge. Know the software that is used for the position you're applying for.
3) Don't be afraid to ask questions.
4) Learn social skills. Read management help books. Talk with people. Learn manners and ettiquette.
Have tact.
5) Be able to write concisely and explain things to others well.
6) Never give up. If you don't have a passion to work in the industry, don't do it. Don't burn yourself out either. Know when to take a break.
7) Don't let your body become weak and lazy. A weak and lazy body equals a weak and lazy mind. I know some of you may not agree with this, and may have top grades, be outstandingly creative, have awesome jobs, etc. BUT, can you imagine how much more potential you can explore if your mind is at its best, because your body is strong and healthy? The best that you can do is always more then you think it is.
8) Write the definitions of pessimistic and optimistic on a piece of paper, or make a poster, and place it somewhere you'll see it every day. Read it everyday you wake up and be determined to be optimistic instead of pessimistic.
9) Confidence, determination, patience, passion, compassion, tact, will to succeed. Learn and acquire these traits, and don't let other people get you down.
10) Research ALL areas of game development, so you know what the developers are going through, in order for you to test their games, so consumers can enjoy the games.
Ok, I think that's all I have for now. I just had to get that off my chest. No flaming to this ancient 30yo guy. :)
-Joseph
www.agfrag.com