It's an exaggeration. The point is that for the past three or four years Zynga was on a massive hiring binge, and I saw people from every studio in the bay come through our doors in the year I was there. So discrediting someone because they had a brief contract at Zynga, is just silly.

It's hard to answer that, because I have no idea what the job market is like in Sweden. But in general, when you apply at a studio, I'd suggest checking back in with them from time to time. Not pestering, just showing interest. Recruiters remember people like that.

I mostly agree with you, which is why I left console for mobile testing. But yeah it's fun if you can overcome the wall of shit that everyone else in the studio piles on you.

Yep, that's the gist of QA. But it's all about your attitude towards that lifestyle, and how you roll with the punches, that will make or break your career. Don't forget overtime is not JUST QA testers. It's the whole team.

Frustration, stress, giving up hope. But you know what's great about us humans? We can persevere and move on if we let ourselves.

Yeah, NEVER believe those adds. If it sounds too good to be true, it definitely is.

It seems that QA if less of a requirement in console testing due to post-release patching. I hope that clarifies things?

Hey everyone! Thanks for all of the awesome comments and questions. I have to run for a bit (lots to get done today), but will try my best to answer EVERYONE over the course of the next day or so.

In the meantime, feel free to read this epic tome : http://tay.kotaku.com/a-qa-contracto… it has a lot of the answers you…

I'm in mobile now. It's like a completely different universe. ;)

Yes! I have lots of awesome stories, but let me maybe circle back around to this question later today! :)

Yes, that's exactly why I started testing. I was that kid in 1991 that didn't go run around outside with his friends, but would prefer to sit inside and go on adventures with Sonic and Mario. Testing games was always something I wanted to do as a kid.

My background was High School graduate, with some light post-HS animation training. I got my first gig because I worked at Babbages for a season. Console testing for publishers, doesn't require any education beyond H.S.

Also: http://tay.kotaku.com/a-qa-contracto… for a much more detiled answer.

Yes, and No. It's worth it. But you really have to be a rock star tester to stand out. That means volunteering for overtime, finding lots of bugs, being a generally positive member of the team. Lots of other things.

Unfortunately that doesn't ever happen. And salary starts at $11 an hour, and can go up to $18 or so for basic testing. Leads can make much more than that.

http://tay.kotaku.com/a-qa-contracto…

This will answer your questions.

I am looking forward to playing a ton of games. Way too many to list. Witchmarsh is near the top of the list though. I'm actually at a job currently where I work 9-5. I worked 22 hour days for a time at a startup studio once. Never again. My current job is full time with benefits.

It sure does suck, if you have that kind of an attitude about it.

You basically have to roll with it, and remember it isn't just you QA guys working crazy overtime. The entire team is doing this together. From management, to the engineers. You can make a name for yourself by being the guy that keeps everyone upbeat an motivated during those phases. Don't look at it as "Oh nooooo,…

I have done that a few times. That's when you call in sick lol.

And that second question is really good, but will require a lot more time to answer. Basically understand that this game is being made by dozens of teams, each assigned with very specific tasks. All of these teams have to coordinate together, and work in…

Honestly, manager, and then Producer. But you start as an AP, which means you'll mostly be another Senior Producers secretary, and assistant.