I’ve shared a few anecdotes about the lessons I’ve learned working on some of the biggest games in my career, from BioShock to NBA 2K. But today, I want to talk about something even more important: relationship building. Because in QA, it's not just about finding bugs. It’s something I worked hard at and been developing in over nearly two decades in this industry and one that has made all the difference in my work.
Let me preface it with a little story first. Many years ago, I had a conversation with my father, a Navy man, about his love for solving problems on the warships he served. He told me that if he could remove the "people management" side of his job, he'd happily work at sea forever. My response? People were the part I loved the most. That answer baffled him.
Fast-forward to my time building a new Loc QA team in the Las Vegas studio. I personally welcomed each of the first ~10 Loc QA testers arriving from Europe. I picked them up at the airport, drove them to their temporary housing (Which I got to say, was so much better than my former 1-bedroom apartment in London), and even took them grocery shopping. I still laugh remembering one couple in awe of the endless cereal aisles and the fact that most eggs were white. Those first days were all about easing their transition into a new country, and it made a difference.
Investing in those moments paid off. We built a tight-knit team, and to this day, I think of them often. Relationship building takes time, but as one of my mentors once said; "There are no shortcuts when it comes to relationship building. You get out what you put in."
If you’re looking for a leader in video game QA who thrives on building strong, successful teams and isn’t afraid of putting in the time, reach out. I’d love to chat.
PS - If you want to chat about your challenges or just about the industry, don't hesitate. Love connecting and trying to solve problems together.
QA Engineer at Lloyds Bank | United Kingdom
1moHi, I am interested. How can I apply for this role?