"You'll probably never see our names until you read the credits, but we have one of the most important jobs in game publishing," writes Scott James Magner. He heads up the "unsung heroes" of the TERA development team -- the game testers -- and he's written up a few fun insights into the behind-the-scenes process that is helping to refine this MMO as it heads to launch.
According to Magner, the En Masse QA team's been flooded with requests to join the testing and feedback process as they continually poke and prod at all of TERA's systems and content. "At this point," he says, "we've played every class and race multiple times, but no one is tired of coming to work."
The team is currently testing fights against "Big-Ass Monsters" in the Celestial Hills, and Magner says he's still learning new combos and techniques even after a full year of testing. While the testing team usually is far out of the spotlight, he says that its job is crucial to the game's success and that all of the testers are "you" at heart -- passionate gamers who want the best for this title.
[Thanks to Joseph for the tip!]
Reader Comments (21)
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 9:21AM ThePeon25 said
Tera this Tera that. It is just like that story the boy cal out it the wolf the wolf the third time ppls did not believe him and he died. Now they call out Tera on every mmo page when it comes out no one will believe iy out and the game will die just after it´s release.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 9:32AM Nenene said
Hire someone who has some knowledge of 'pants', TERA team! Your game's females are crying out for armor!
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 9:51AM dfnshow said
why doesn't tera exalt a friggin' release date
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:03AM Dukeun said
Yet again, Massively posting something about TERA that doesn't matter. This something En Masse could do on a mass beta, or other form of mass testing. So far, all I see is them giving bs reasons on why the game isn't out yet, and/or things that could be patched, or beta tested.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:23AM real65rcncom said
For what I've seen from Tera so far with art, costumes and playstyle, this is NOT the picture I was imagining to be viewing of actual staff.
It's almost like I'm looking at one of those "family pictures" they insert into frames before you buy them, then you take that out and put in the 'real' family picture.
It's almost like I'm looking at one of those "family pictures" they insert into frames before you buy them, then you take that out and put in the 'real' family picture.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:23AM fallwind said
as someone who works in the industry, I agree. QA testers never seem to get the credit they deserve. Good QA is as important as good coders and designers :)
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 7:26PM (Unverified) said
@fallwind
Having been a QA Tester, I agree! Great QA are really hard to find, and super valuable, especially the ones that are technically apt (unfortunately, those types also rise up quickly to better positions).
If I had it my way, QA Testers would be paid roughly the same as other Developers, but also have higher expectations and criteria. I can't tell you how many QA Testers I've worked with just don't deserve their job b/c they're seen as disposable, so HR doesn't really bother to test for higher competency and skill...
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Having been a QA Tester, I agree! Great QA are really hard to find, and super valuable, especially the ones that are technically apt (unfortunately, those types also rise up quickly to better positions).
If I had it my way, QA Testers would be paid roughly the same as other Developers, but also have higher expectations and criteria. I can't tell you how many QA Testers I've worked with just don't deserve their job b/c they're seen as disposable, so HR doesn't really bother to test for higher competency and skill...
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:24AM Pingles said
Can't help but think of the movie "Grandma's Boy"
I just hope their main programmer is as good as JP.
I just hope their main programmer is as good as JP.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:42AM eddiestrike said
if Tera is anything like Aion, I'll probably play a month or two
I love an asian themed mmo.
I love an asian themed mmo.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 10:47AM Lhurian said
best fucking job in the world. sitting on your but playin games.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 11:27AM (Unverified) said
@Lenn I often do this while playing an already released game >.> I wouldn't mind getting paid for it!
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Posted: Oct 27th 2011 11:17AM (Unverified) said
If I were to start over, I'd be in gaming in some compacity. Most are jealous of them....me for one.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 11:19AM nimzy said
Speaking as a former MMO QA tester, I have to say that seeing something like this ranks between "goddamn miracle" and "not working on a contract basis."
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 11:22AM silver001 said
From what i hear about Q&A testers, playing the same area for days. Having to record every single bug and then replying it again and again. I personally get the feeling that if i was to be a Q&A tester i would probably hate playing video games.
Anyways, its funny how they can say that because i when i played tera i got sick of it after lvl 30 and slug it through to 44, but if they can honestly say they like it, well more power to them.
Anyways, its funny how they can say that because i when i played tera i got sick of it after lvl 30 and slug it through to 44, but if they can honestly say they like it, well more power to them.
Posted: Oct 27th 2011 11:47AM Alex Oglitchkin said
@silver001 I tested Madden games for 2yrs and it was hectic. What really sucks is once you find the bug that you have to recreate it over and over to make sure it's a constant thing. Even when you do find the problem and it's too far in the cycle they don't fix it.
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