WT: For those not familiar, what is a Game Master?

GM: A Game Master enforces the policies of any given MMO, or Massive Multi player Online Game. In short, we are the ones that police an entire game on multiple servers, making sure that everyone is playing in a fair and enjoyable environment. When players need to address concerns that they have in the game, we are the ones that they turn to.

WT: And what is it really like working for a game company as a Game Master?

GM: Like any job, being a Game Master has it upsides and downsides. Keeping track of numerous policies and properly applying them in dozens of different situations, all while trying to meet time and quality quotas, can be quite stressful at times. However, I do work with like-minded individuals that are just as passionate about helping others as they are about gaming, so it’s great to work with people that are very easy to get along with.

WT: How did you get into the game industry?

GM: Strangely enough, it all started with my first job at a clothing retail store about nine years ago. I worked with a couple of really cool gamers at the time, and when I later left the clothing store to work at a video game store, I helped one of them get a job with me at the video game store. She then later helped me get a job with Wired Talent when I ended up leaving the video game store, referring me to the agent that worked with the same company.

WT: What is your advice for others trying to break into the industry?

GM: Networking plays a huge part. Although the business is getting bigger by the day, the video game industry is still relatively niche, and word gets around pretty fast, especially in this technologically driven age. Meeting people involved with the industry by going to conventions, studying in affiliated fields, and even playing online with other gamers greatly improves your chances. I feel very fortunate to have so many different video game and interactive media-related companies in my backyard, so location does play an important factor, as well.

WT: What is your all time favorite game and what are you currently playing?

GM: I can come up with a gigantic list of games that I absolutely love for every genre known to man, so it is tough to choose just one all-time favorite game. However, the one that first comes to mind whenever I am asked that question is Panzer Dragoon Saga for the Sega Saturn. It was the first RPG that I completed (being solely a Sega guy after the NES and until the death of the Dreamcast), and I remember staying awake until the sun came up for several days playing it. I was completely hooked by the storyline and combat system. I love the Panzer Dragoon series, and to have it all tied into this epic game was amazing.

Currently, I am not fortunate enough to have the same amount of free time as a kid, but when I do get a chance, I run around the Wasteland in Fallout 3 on my Xbox 360. While on vacation, I completed most of Rhythm Heaven on the DS, and I’ve been meaning to finish up the third Phoenix Wright game. I was also lucky enough to get a PS3 for my birthday recently, so I’ve been getting into InFamous and Uncharted. I just started playing the Uncharted 2 Online Beta last week, and I shot up to Rank 15 on the first day. The demo is very, very addicting, and I am glad that it got “Best Game of the Show” at E3, although I would rather have had the award go to either Scribblenauts or Brutal Legend. Go Tim Schafer!

A big thank you to Square Enix and our wonderful GM for allowing us to provide this interview to our lovely audience. For more information on our jobs, please visit our job board at: http://www.wiredtalent.com/Job-Seekers.aspx

Greg Santos
Recruiter for Wired Talent

Actually, Justin is having a beard off with the crunch time, vowing not to shave until the crunch period is complete. Justin has a great attitude and work ethic, and adding a little fun is a great way to get yourself through these periods. In addition to growing manly beards, Justin likes to take his break at work with his old pal the Hoff (photo below):

WT: What is it really like being a QA Tester? Do you drink Mountain Dew and Play Games All Day? Are you thinking of getting metal legs?
JG: I spend most of my time growing beards, singing randomness all the damn time, and complaining about something to my coworkers while sipping any beverage containing caffeine. I had metal legs, but took them back after realizing I spend my entire day sitting down and don’t need legs at all! My torso is now permanently attached to my rolling chair.

In reality though, I don’t get to play games all day. I may be in the game, but I can typically accomplish the testing I need without physically moving my character around at all. I just type out commands to make him move and complete objectives… I guess it’s kinda playing, but I swear I get some work done.

WT: How did you get into the industry?
JG: I had a friend of a friend who used to work at SOE. He made me realize getting a job in the industry is actually possible! So I put together an incredible resume, slicked my hair back and gave a super incredible interview performance to land my position. I think being a social person who’s not afraid to speak his mind helped a lot.

WT: What is your most and least favorite part for the job?
JG: Amazingly, this can be summed up into one answer: Overtime!
I love it because it is often times hilarious, you get to hang out with cool people for even MORE hours every day/week/month/year, you make more money, it’s an amazing opportunity to grow a beard (you know it’s beautiful), and you finally get to realize what going completely insane is like.

On the other side, it’s exhausting and makes you wish for a day off here or there… if possible. I’d honestly say overtime is way more positive than it is negative, but you forced me to pick something to dislike! How dare you!

WT: What is your advice for others looking to get into QA testing? Aside from recommending Wired Talent of course.
JG: Just go for it! Also, know how to spell, type, and communicate well. Communication will help you get this job. I suppose a positive, fun, social attitude is not such a bad thing to have either.

WT: What is your all time favorite game?
JG: My all time favorite game would have to be Final Fantasy 4 (Final Fantasy 2 over here in America). Without this game, I never would have gotten into video games as a kid.

WT: Do you love Wired Talent?
JG: More than you can possibly ever know… I keep my love hidden deep down inside until it destroys and corrupts my very soul. <3>

A big thank you to Justin for participating in another great interview for our blog. To see if there are any current QA Openings with our company, please check out our Job Board.

Greg Santos and Susy Wysocki
Recruiters for Wired Talent

WT: What is it really like being a QA Tester? Do you drink Mountain Dew and Play Games All Day? Are you thinking of getting metal legs?
DR: Three things (red-headed step child/detective/messenger that always delivers bad news). I only drink the finest dew from the highest mountains and I would love to play games all day! Where do I get that job?! Metal legs… no, however a monkey that can play video games and teach me kung-fu. That would be something to look into.

WT: How did you get into the industry?
DR: I decided one day to make a resume and send it out to any gaming company I could think of. A week later I got an interview with Electronic Arts, a month after working for EA, Wired Talent called me about a position with SOE. A year goes by and I was now working with SOE, best choice I have made so far.

WT: What is your most and least favorite part for the job?
DR: My favorite part of the job has to be the people I work with and work for, my least favorite part of the job is the people I work with and work for. It’s a love/hate type family.

WT: What is your advice for others looking to get into QA testing?
DR: Make sure you don’t have a girlfriend or strong family ties, because unless they are willing to not see you for months at a time it will be hard… and always go with Wired Talent. (shameless plug)

WT: What is your all time favorite game?
DR: Empire Earth was my first love and was the game that got me into gaming. SWG, that’s right our very own Star Wars Galaxies by far was the most enjoyable game I have played. That is before it was taken out back… and well you know the rest.

WT: Do you love Wired Talent?
DR: As much as I love money

Thank you very much Doug for sharing your insight into the gaming industry and your relentless passion for Wired Talent.

Greg Santos & Susy Wysocki
Recruiters for Wired Talent

Whether by phone or e-mail, I’ve gotten asked this more times than I can recall. I’ve even received e-mails from people that say they would do the work for free! And those are the people we hire, blog post done. Just kidding!

Working with some of the biggest names in the industry, we’ve been fortunate to place a number of video game fanatics into QA tester positions over the years. We at Wired Talent know what works — and doesn’t work — when trying to land a QA tester job. I’m going to keep this very simple with two major tips that are absolutely critical when applying for a QA tester job through an agency.

Tip #1: Video Game Tester Jobs are Real Jobs

Just because the industry is video games and the job is testing a game, that doesn’t mean you can forget all rules for applying for a job. For example, I receive countless e-mails with poor grammar, poor punctuation, and strings of sentences that no employer wants to hear/read/see when it comes to hiring a new employee. Keep it professional and apply for QA positions like you would any other job you’re serious about landing. QA positions revolve around your ability to catch mistakes, including spelling and grammar, corrupted text, etc., as well as the ability to clearly communicate those issues. When applying for a QA tester job, make sure to exhibit those skills. Write clearly, concisely, and with correct spelling and grammar. Keep it professional, and make sure to include all items from the advertisement in your e-mail, since your ability to follow instructions is one of the first things a recruiter looks for after examining the e-mail’s structure.

Tip #2: Include a Video Game Resume

When applying for a marketing position, you include examples of the marketing you’ve done. When you apply for a content specialist position you include a portfolio of content you’ve written. Makes sense, right? It’s no different when applying for a QA tester job. Candidates who submit applications and resumes that zero in on game skills ALWAYS get a call from us (But don’t forget the first tip — we don’t call applicants who submit everything with caps lock on and no punctuation). We recommend you take it one step further and attach a video game resume in addition to your “regular” resume. Be sure to make it specific to the posting. For example, if the company produces MMOs, include your MMO experience. Include any beta testing you’ve done, and keep it concise. Being an avid gamer is a great thing, but don’t list all of your gaming experience from the Atari days until now. Below is an example of what a video game resume looks like when applying to a company that produces MMOs:

Final Fantasy XI
2003-Present

1 x Galka Samurai 75
- Other jobs in low-mid level range.

Linkshell Officer of LightsTemplar(RPLS)
- Linkshell dedicated to enhancing the game experience of other players through role-playing

Linkshell Member of DynastyofVirtue
- HNMLS and social LS participating in sky, sea, and other endgame events

We hope this helps you land your dream job and we especially hope you won’t be working for free. Look out for our next post, where we interview one of our current QA testers about breaking into the industry and find out where he’s at now. As always, we invite you to provide any feedback, questions, or suggestions you see fit.

Greg Santos
Recruiter at Wired Talent

Who We Are

Wired Talent is the premier video game staffing service, currently serving the San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Bay Area, Seattle, and Austin markets, and beyond. We focus on connecting talented professionals with top video game industry clients in design and development positions like game masters, QA testers (for all types of platforms), tech support representatives, customer service representatives, content specialists, forum specialists, Web programmers, graphic artists and much, much more. Get the latest on our current postings.

What to Expect

We’re in a very lucky and unique position to be on both sides of the equation: Finding top talent and servicing big name video game companies. With that comes the opportunity to share our experiences and insight into the industry, and uniquely into the employment sector. Our blog will dish on things like breaking into the video game industry with interviews from our very own employees, upcoming releases and news with interviews from our clients, and random narcissistic posts to make us feel a part of the giant Web 2.0 community.

In all seriousness, we hope you find our blog entertaining, but most importantly, valuable. If you’ve got questions, feedback, or suggestions on future posts please contact us.

Greg Santos
Recruiter for Wired Talent