A Brief History of the 360
What should you know about Microsoft’s game platform? In 2005, Microsoft announced that they would be launching their next generation of the popular Xbox console with the 360 iteration. The original Xbox placed second in the console wars, falling behind the Playstation 2 but ahead of the Nintendo Gamecube. With the Xbox 360 Microsoft appeared poised to take command of the video game market, releasing mega-hit titles like the Halo or Gears of War series. Since Microsoft makes far more money selling games than they do selling machines, they need to constantly keep churning out new titles in order to remain profitable. As a result, they constantly need new staff to help facilitate this production, including testers.
The Typical Xbox Game Tester
Who is the competition for Xbox 360 jobs that test games? Unlike some other careers in the video game industry, employees who test the games do not necessarily need to have a degree in computer science, graphic design, or information systems. Indeed, Xbox jobs are available for testers who are still in high school, provided they have the fortitude to go through an entire game again and again to find bugs. While there is no prerequisite education needed, the competitive job environment rewards those who demonstrate qualifications that make them a better hire. Any potential Xbox tester who does attend university classes on computers or information technology will stand out. Finally, the actual playing is only part of the entire job requirement — testers need to write up reports that clearly state details about bugs or glitches to the design team. Demonstrating a higher competency of writing skills puts you ahead of the curve. A Day in the Life
What would be the typical routine for a tester of video games? Let’s look into one of the biggest names in gaming. One of the largest providers of games for the Xbox 360 EA games hires hundreds of testers for each title they release. The smash hits like the Madden franchise employ even more. A typical day involves ten to twelve hours of gaming, going through a game released in order to look through every aspect of maps and commands to ensure there are no faults. Since a highly rated game usually has only about twenty to thirty hours of actual game time, you may burn through three different titles in a single week. Gamers have to achieve 100% completion on any game with clearance benchmarks. They have to check all settings, all loading screens, and all save files. Since EA, furthermore, produces a huge number of games with online-enabled content, these Xbox testers will need to go online in order to clean out levels and enemies. Some testers will be able to do most, if not all of their work from home, provided they have the necessary recording equipment to clearly transmit pictures and video about time and location of errors.
On the Other Side of the Aisle
Could an Xbox fan make it as a Playstation or Nintendo tester? Unless they own each console and have extensive playing experience, it is extremely difficult for an Xbox owner to become hired as a PS3 video game tester. While the games themselves are not particularly different on each console, the controls are very unalike. If you are unable to complete the necessary content cut out for you on a different console, you will not be at the top of an employment list.
How to Make It
Xbox Game Testing The Facts Of Xbox 360 Video Game Tester JobsWhere can people find out about Xbox 360 video game tester job openings? Since you are reading this page on the Internet, you are already halfway there. Microsoft as well as the game studios advertise job openings on their careers pages. Many of these careers, however, are only available to people who live near the studios of the games or Microsoft, meaning that those who do not live in specific regions (like Washington state, home of Microsoft) will be unable to qualify. Those who move, however, may be able to make 360 game tester a career reality. If you want to get some valuable experience before moving across the country, you can check out online sites that have information, forums, videos, and reviews for people who want to make it as testers. Sites like Gamer Testing Ground allows passionate gamers to connect directly with the industry’s game designers.
Alternate Ways To Get In The Business
Nearly every game released on the market features open beta tests, a way for players to get free content to games in exchange for their information about any coding or programming errors. Getting into an open beta can be a big deal for anyone hoping to become Xbox 360 game tester applicants, since it provides experience in the game industry testing business that is difficult to get elsewhere. Consider an open beta to be the equivalent of an internship for employment: the testers who are courteous and helpful will be more likely to be invited back on future tests, to gain a great referral, or even to be outright hired to an employment position. Remember that getting hired for any job, let alone a testing job, can be just as much who you know as it is your qualifications. Getting on the good side of an administrator gives you a great person to know.
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