Bethesda Seeking Play Testers for "Upcoming and Released" Games

[roseofbattle]

Bethesda Seeking Play Testers for "Upcoming and Released" Games

The publisher for games such as The Elder Scrolls series and Fallout 3 wants play testers of all skill levels and gaming backgrounds.

If you live near or can get to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and want to play some games for free, you could apply to be a play tester. Bethesda Softworks has opened applications for play testing volunteers to play both already released games and upcoming games. The company notes that players of all skill levels are welcome, so don't worry if you feel like you aren't a "good gamer."

Applicants must be at least 18 and residents of the US; Bethesda Softworks is not accepting international applications. Play testers will not be paid and they must sign a non-disclosure agreement and provide a government-issued ID to prove they are at least 18 on the play testing date. Participants "may, however, receive games or swag in connection with your participation in the play test." Videogame reviewers, developers, and publishers cannot apply.

Play tests last about an hour to two hours. You may apply even if you do not live in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. Bethesda states participants must provide their own transportation.

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to id Software, the developer of Doom and Quake and subsidiary of ZeniMax Media. Bethesda Softworks is also a subsidiary.

If you choose to apply, make sure you provide a valid email address if you want to hear back from Bethesda. After first providing your birth date, the application will ask if you have any affiliations in the game industry, for your name, and for your email address.

Source: Polygon [http://playtest.bethsoft.com/]


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[Sledgimus]

Weird, from playing Bethesda games, I'd assumed the paying customers were the testers.

 

[Dr.Awkward]

Now that I've given it more thought this greatly concerns me about the quality of testing that it makes me not want to apply.

First off, I'm going to have to say, if you're going to make it volunteer then at least offer to pay accommodation, gas, rentals, all the expenditures your playtesters are going to run into trying to get there and stay there. If you don't, you're likely just going to get the opinion of the local region because they're already there, and don't have to do much in terms of budgeting. Yet I've heard the stories from the trenches, and that itself makes me consider that regardless of how long they play the games, product testing should never be a volunteer position - That's just asking for bad PR.

However I know a few people who have concerns with Beth's games, and while this is a chance to be heard by one of Beth's teams, is the price even worth it?

 

[Arnoxthe1]

Methinks this is actually a smart move on Bethesda's part. They may be another way to get your foot in the door in context of the gaming industry, Bethesda gets less buggy games, and you get free games and fashion accessories. Not only that, an hour or two doesn't sound unreasonable at all.

 

[Micalas]

Hmm...I wonder if they have any play tests in Maryland seeing as how they were founded in Bethesda, MD and now reside in Rockville, MD.

 

[SinisterDeath]

Umm.. Seriously? An in-person game-tester 'job' that doesn't pay?
Yea. umm.. no Thanks.

 

[HanFyren]

Erd ma gerd!
Are they making the first ever Bethesda QA department?

 

[putowtin]

US only,

of all the cheek!

 

[Arina Love]

and as usual they'll end up hiring bunch of monkeys from local zoo. Seriously i will wait for a year before touching any of Bethesda stuff.