Martin Tsolov’s Post

For the past 3 months, I have been looking for a new job in Quality Assurance. A position which I have held responsibly and dutifully for 6 years. In this time, I have submitted over 150 applications, and have received 39 rejections to date. Not a bad response rate, if I'm being honest. But, complaining about my job hunt whilst in my industry's biggest downturn isn't why I'm here today. I want to call out and address job listings like these, because I have been seeing a *lot* of them. Some companies are looking for a QA/Tester, when they're really looking for a Jr. Developer or Programmer (or Tool Developer, in this particular case) that also does QA work. Let's be real here, they are *not* going to have time for QA work, because they will be too busy supporting the things they are developing for your company. Here's the main problem. When a job (any job!) like this is advertised, you alienate two groups of people: the people who are traditionally qualified for this kind of traditional work (I've done lots of Performance testing before! 5 AAA titles worth!) but they are deemed "unqualified" due to not having those additional required skills. And the other group is the people who are qualified for this role, but understand that this position title is lesser than for what they're qualified for (which likely also means accommodating lesser pay.) So what this listing screams to me is that you're looking for someone desperate that you can underpay and give a lesser title to. (And no doubt this particular position is likely contract, so once they're done being your tool dev their contract will be complete.) And that doesn't sit well with me. #GameDev had 8,000+ layoffs last year, and Riot Games just laid off 500+ more talented people yesterday. No doubt these companies know there are a lot of desperate people out there, and it's obvious to me they're trying to take advantage of this to shaft people who are deserving of their roles in favor of getting people in that are overqualified they can overwork and underpay. I ask that you all please know your worth and know what role you're deserving of, so that you can completely ignore listings (and maybe companies) like these, and get the point across to them that this is *not* okay. Good luck out there everyone. #gamedevelopment #qa #qajobs #opentowork #hiringtrends #development #programming

This is a tough pill to swallow. Real tough for those of us who haven’t been in the industry long. I’m not sure I can do it, and come back to working in games. But… It’s not bad advice. Right now, many of us need to survive more than we need to follow our passions. The game industry is full of passionate people and especially at the entry and junior level. That has been true since well before 2022. I’ve heard many say this is the time to “go indie instead,” and I agree with the criticism saying that path isn’t any easier and is potentially far more harrowing. I think it’s important to note that many of us working in this industry LOVE games as a medium and artform, and that passion does not have to be married to the game industry. Nor should the game industry continue to expect it after 2023, and arguably since long before that. The record profits in the game industry almost overshadowed the record consequences paid to purchase said profits. And because those consequences are now in the public eye, we can no longer throw a couple coats of passion over the problem and ignore them any longer. To all industry workers, and especially to all workers directly affected, this is not bad advice. Your prosperity is more important than record profits.

🎉 Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉 As we step into 2024, let's take a moment to appreciate the unsung heroes of the gaming industry – QA professionals! 🕹️💻 QA is not just a position; it's a vital role that ensures our games are polished, bug-free, and enjoyable for players. 🌟 To all students and recent graduates aspiring to enter the gaming world: If you're struggling to find your perfect fit, consider exploring QA. Many industry leaders began their journey in QA, a role that provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire development pipeline. It's a fantastic opportunity to decide your path or excel within the QA domain. 💪 Embrace your journey, and never underestimate the significance of a QA role. Those who remain in QA often become some of the most knowledgeable and valuable assets in the company. Need a solution, have an issue, or questioning a game mechanic? Consult your QA team – they possess unparalleled expertise! 🙌 To all the dedicated QA professionals out there, thank you for your hard work and commitment. Without you, our games would lack the excellence and quality they boast. You are all truly amazing! #NewYear #GamingIndustry #QA #CareerAdvice #ThankYouQA 🚀

As bad as it's been for game dev, it's been much worse for QA. From the Wired story linked below: "Of those layoffs, it was quality assurance workers who seemed to have been most impacted; 22 percent of QA workers said they’d been laid off in the last year. Only 7 percent of developers overall reported losing their jobs." And it's probably even worse than even those numbers with the larger percentage of QA being contract vs full time and not being "laid off" just having their contracts cancelled/ended. Gabriel Tissot-Ritchot is right, there are other great opportunities for QA outside game dev with lots of other benefits. It can feel like you're losing your dream having to leave game dev (trust me, I know, I did it last year), however there are amazing products, teams, challenges, and opportunities that can be very fulfilling outside of games. https://lnkd.in/gSv9bewd

Hey, Gamers! Are there any dreamers out there thinking about Game QA or switching careers? Here is the scoop: For Aspiring Game QA: 1. Attention to Detail: Master the art of spotting even the tiniest bugs; it's the essence of QA. 2. Communication Skills: Practice expressing issues clearly - a crucial skill for effective collaboration with developers. 3. Patience is a Virtue: Embrace repetition in testing and remain patient; comprehensive examination takes time. 4. Analytical Thinking: Develop the ability to analyze game features, systems, and interactions critically. 5. Problem-Solving: Identify issues swiftly, but also propose practical solutions to enhance your value. For Career Switchers to Game QA: 1. Transferable Skills: Recognize skills from your current role that can seamlessly apply to QA. 2. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with fundamental game development and testing processes. 3. Build a Portfolio: Showcase relevant skills or personal projects to demonstrate practical understanding. 4. Networking: Connect with gaming professionals, especially those in QA roles, for valuable insights. 5. Show Enthusiasm: Express your genuine passion for gaming during interviews; it can set you apart. Remember, the gaming industry is diverse, and QA roles can vary. Customize your approach based on your interests. Best of luck on your gaming journey! #GameQA #careerswitch #gaming #qa #qualityassurance #students #success #developers #softwaretesting #iohseekers #career

Hey Gamers! Any dreamers out there thinking about Game QA or switching careers? Here's is the scoop: For Aspiring Game QA: 1. Attention to Detail: Master the art of spotting even the tiniest bugs; it's the essence of QA. 2. Communication Skills: Practice expressing issues clearly – a crucial skill for effective collaboration with developers. 3. Patience is a Virtue: Embrace repetition in testing and remain patient; comprehensive examination takes time. 4. Analytical Thinking: Develop the ability to analyze game features, systems, and interactions critically. 5. Problem-Solving: Identify issues swiftly, but also propose practical solutions to enhance your value. For Career Switchers to Game QA: 1. Transferable Skills: Recognize skills from your current role that can seamlessly apply to QA. 2. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with fundamental game development and testing processes. 3. Build a Portfolio: Showcase relevant skills or personal projects to demonstrate practical understanding. 4. Networking: Connect with gaming professionals, especially those in QA roles, for valuable insights. 5. Show Enthusiasm: Express your genuine passion for gaming during interviews; it can set you apart. Remember, the gaming industry is diverse, and QA roles can vary. Customize your approach based on your interest. Best of luck on your gaming journey! 🎮✨ #GameQA #CareerSwitch #gaming #qa #qualityassurance #students #success #developers #software #jobs #career #gamedev #skills #interviews #qualityanalyst #quality #contentstrategy #qajobs #qacommunity #testing #gamingtechnology #technology #creativity #content #branding #digitalmarketing #employee

I'll be writing out more of these throughout the week but as many have heard by now, there was massive layoffs at Sledgehammer and ABK overall. If you are hiring, please take the time to look through those who were let go from our company, you will absolutely be grateful for the incredible talent that is available right now. For now I'll be shouting out my amazing, direct, team that I had the honor and privilege to work with the closest. If you are looking for technical QA talent then here is some of the best: Jason Graham - Best manager I've ever had. Seriously, you will not find anyone better. Long time veteran within the game industry and absolutely knows how to not only lead a department but light a fire within them to get the best possible work done. Charismatic and a real people person, with an even greater work ethic to match. James Hui - Long time veteran at Sledgehammer, very knowledgeable and experienced in working with custom tools and with different departments to understand their needs. Also has experience in coding and working in an embedded environment with engineers. Grant Norton - Great all rounder QA analyst who is exceptional at debugging and problem solving. Has a coding background, experience and also knowledgably when it comes to VFX and Coding tools. Has a mean golf swing as well ;) (seriously he was a pro) Alexandre S. Early - Another great all rounder QA analyst with a background/expertise in art tools! Great at environment art and has the chops to thrive in any environment. Has experience in gameplay, live ops, mtx and proprietary tools testing. David Batt - Similar to Alexandre, a great QA analyst with an interest in art and experience working with custom tools. Has experience in Maya and 3DS Max, along with VFX custom tools. Can definitely thrive in any environment and produce results. Bram Barber - A very versatile QA analyst who can produce great results. Is very perceptive when it comes to figuring out testing details, needs and not afraid to ask questions or speak up. A natural leader and has ease with talking and working with different departments. Christine Lo - Greatly technical QA analyst who is very experienced in coding, automation and working with custom tools/engineers in an embedded setting. Very keen at detecting problems, solutions and a resolute work ethic. Would be especially helpful for whatever engineering team you have, games or otherwise! Jason Gregory - Long time veteran within the tech and game industry! Incredibly knowledgeable on many subjects and very quick on the uptake because of it. Jason came into our team in the middle of a ship year as our new lead and hit the ground running on improving our workflow and direction, while respecting and learning about what came before; no easy feat I assure you. Also has great taste in music ;) (I mean he WAS a radio host before, its a requirement) Feel free to ask me more or get in contact with them directly! #abk #activision #gamedevs

Unlock the power of efficient game testing for your company! 🚀 As a skilled QA Game Tester, I offer invaluable benefit that can save you money in the early stages of development. By meticulously examining every aspect of your game, I ensure that potential issues are identified and addressed before they escalate, saving you the hassle of dealing with costly fixes later on. With my keen eye for detail and dedication to quality, I help streamline the testing process, allowing your team to focus on creating an exceptional gaming experience. 🎮 Let's work together to optimize your game development cycle and achieve success faster! Reach out today to learn how I can contribute to your project. #GameTesting #QA #Efficiency #opentowork #Tester #gamedev #gamingindustry #FQA #CQA #QATester #Remote #hybrid

What does a Game QA tester do? 🤔 Playing games all day, obviously. 😏 Hold On! Just Kidding. 🤥 Because it’s a common misconception about the QA Department. 🤷♂️ Let me give you a little bit of an idea about what it takes to be a game tester. Ready to learn about game testing? 😊 Let's find out what it's all about in a fun and easy way! A game tester's job involves: 1. Understanding game design thoroughly. 2. Play the game multiple times until all the issues, bugs, glitches, and every small mistake are resolved.  3. Communicate with developers about all the problems, verbally & in writing.  4. Conducting deep testing to find issues. 5. Testing multiple game versions for various platforms. 6. Checking for small details like typos and grammar errors. 7. Try new versions to see if old problems are fixed. 8. Trying innovative testing methods. 9. Providing feedback and collaborating with developers. 10. Give ideas & feedback to make the game better. It’s just a little bit of a job. It's more than just having fun; it needs careful attention, watching closely, and being tactful. Ready to do great? #gaming #qa #qualityassurance #jobs #careers #companies #problemsolving #developers #gamedesign #gamedev #journey #innovation #branding #content #qajobs #education #strategy #motivation #startups #management #socialmedia #networking