Jason started life as a games tester and then moved up to QA manager at Codemasters. He’s currently Senior QA PC specialist at Eidos.

You spent a long time working for Codemasters testing games like Brian Lara’s Cricket. Is testing easier when you’re working on quality titles, or do they eventually get you down too?
I don’t mind what I’m testing, it doesn’t really get me down. It’s the end product I’m working towards, so I will do what I have to no matter what the title.

What’s the hardest part of testing? Bug testing or gameplay?
I’m not the best player in the world, so I would say gameplay. Everyone beats me at Tekken, although I do get the odd fluky win occasionally.

Do you still videotape games when you’re playing them in the hope that you don’t have to recreate a crash-bug, you’ll have it on tape?
Oh yeah. We have more videos then Comet around here. Everything goes on tape, usually to prove to the programmer it DOES happen.

How many hours does a game need in testing for a) bugs and b) gameplay?
That’s a difficult one. Bug testing goes on constantly, whenever the game is being played (so that’s 24/7 in my case usually). On a master, a full play through on all difficulty levels is required (with bugs being looked for at same time). So there isn’t really a figure.

Why do you think we still see games released that are bug-ridden?
Because no team is ever big enough to cover the game completely. There is always some little graphic somewhere waiting until after the master is written to decide it’s going to corrupt itself.

What’s a game tester’s best friend?
I would say sleep, but of late even that friend has left me.. so, erm, I would have to say vodka (for me).

Is it easier to test on a particular platform (N64, PC, whatever)?
I would say consoles are easier to test on, there are no compatibility issues (except for what controllers work etc). This also means you don’t have problems with not enough RAM, under-powered CPU etc. Consoles are just… erm… there…

What have you been testing lately?
Warzone 2100. That game rules.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Seeing the product on the shelves, and watching some kid screaming about wanting it (that was in the Micro Machines 2 days, but still same effect). Also seeing my name in the credits is a good feeling.

What’s the most annoying part of the job?
Not being listened to all the time. People seem to forget that testers pretty much know a bit about every department. We play the games, we buy them, so know what works. When we get told something it just annoys us as to how ‘blinkered‘ they are being.

Do testers get enough industry/public recognition?
Ithink we are the first to be blamed for ANY issue regarding a game. Elite Frontiers anyone? I would like to think we are known (I was the in top 50 for that Space Bastards thing).