Beta testing

[kreza]

I wanna start doing some beta testing, after never having done any before, i was wondering if you guys knew anyway to start, like any websites that have up to date news on what games are going to want beta testers, or actual developers that are looking for beta testers.

thx 4 any replys

l8er... bedtime 4 me!

 

[whipped]

To be honest, the easiest way is just to keep an eye on the news. Most private beta testing is invitre only, but public testing can usually be easy to get into.

Make sure you have a decent PC, and if it's for something that is going to attract a lot of interest, (i.e. SWG) get involved with the community first. You'll end up playing with these people, so why not get to know them a little on some forums.

 

[ECA]

There are a couple of websites that link to applications to betas etc. etc.

betabites.com the best has sadly died, a year or so back, I must have got into 10-15 betas from that webby :-]

 

[Mr.Monkey]

I know there are companies that do offer outsourced beta testing for games and apps, but afaik they are all in the US.

The uk firms tend to have in house testers, who are paid shit all, and tend to be students. Look at the websites for job openings.

As for non commercial, ie mods, follow the mod from the moment it has a webpage, then offer to the producer to be part of a beta team.

Edit - beta testing is shockingly boring. Stuff like standing in different parts of the map and shooting. And making sure you've tried to jump over everything on the map etc. dull as muck.

 

[SilverHood]

gamespot.com has a nice beta test center, with a lot of the latest current applications.

http://www.betatests.net/ is Atari's beta center... got stuff like unreal 2 multiplayer and T3 signups at the moment. (you need a valid copy of unreal 2 to get into that one, ofc)

 

[adams901]

i've never had any luck with betatests.net, all my projects are always stuck in Pending.

Quality Assurance positions for games companys pay well, I've been to many interviews (Codemasters, Eidos to name 2) it wasn't until I was actually offered a job that I took it seriously and decided that it wasn't what I wanted to do, I get bored playing games I purchase so beta testng for a living would have killed me.

 

[SilverHood]

i've gotten into 3 closed beta tests over the last few years, and taken part in 2 open ones

great way of contributing to a game... though some companies listen, and others don't

 

[whipped]

I'm doing the PS2 beta testing at the moment. Good deal, play for more than 15 hours a month and turn up to the two scheduled, 1 hour session and you get a free copy of the full game.