So I'm looking for jobs in game companies or movie companies that I can get my foot in with no formal experience for now.
Blizzard has QA (Quality Assurance...aka the ever so fabled GAME TESTER) position. I need your help with how to make a mock game analysis. I was never good at essays. I have to submit a cover letter with resume, and a mock analysis of my favorite recent game. I am going to either choose MW2 or Borderlands. I think me talking about Borderlands would be a better bet since that game could be so much better, hence more to talk about.
I just don't know how to write an "analysis". Do you think it's just a very detailed review?
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Help me get a job at Blizzard (Yes, the Warcraft, Blizzard)
Started by
Timmeh
, Jan 06 2010 09:35 PM
34 replies to this topic
#2
roboa
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:38 PM
Atm for me, a simple analysis is 3500 words so... 
#3
Timmeh
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:39 PM
I don't care how much I have to write if I can get a job at Blizzard! =D
Perhaps me gets free WoW time...ooooooooooooo hahaha
Perhaps me gets free WoW time...ooooooooooooo hahaha
#4
roboa
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:42 PM
haha. I think the difference between an analysis and a review is that while a review points out negative aspects, an analysis then goes into more depth and gives an explanation of how these things can be improved. Also, an analysis will generally comment on how well the game appeals to intended markets and what attracts people into it.
#5
Timmeh
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:46 PM
When I explain how stuff can be improved, I tend to write like I'm trying to redesign the whole game. I don't know if they want that or not haha
#6
_NW_
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:47 PM
If you can't write one by yourself, how do you expect to be able to write them after you're hired?
#7
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:49 PM
I know how write. I just don't know what's entailed in an "analysis". Once I find out, I can keep writing it. I'm just trying to find out the difference between an analysis and a review. There must be one.
#8
roboa
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 09:55 PM
An analysis explains your opinions more (if you get where i'm coming from). It links points you make together and just generally shows more reasoning for why you are saying what you are saying.
Edited by roboa, 06 January 2010 - 09:56 PM.
#9
Timmeh
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:02 PM
I might end up jamming my opinions down their throats. I'd assume my opinions should be based off of many different variables to conclude something more beneficial to the game.
I just don't want to sound like I am trying to make the game personalized for me.
I just don't want to sound like I am trying to make the game personalized for me.
#10
roboa
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:09 PM
You should try and comment on a wide array of points, yes. Don't just go on about one thing forever and try not to repeat points you've already made.
#11
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:14 PM
I've been reading reviews, and they seem to highlight different things of the game, but not going into detail about annoying things. I think I got a good idea for an analysis. Don't know whether to do MW2 or Borderlands still...MW2 I could probably talk about forever.
#12
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:17 PM
The principles of Quality Assurance could easily be of more importance than familiarity with video games (Six Sigma, statistical analysis, best practice, etc).
From a QA standpoint, an analysis is more technical than an opinion piece.
From a QA standpoint, an analysis is more technical than an opinion piece.
#13
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:38 PM
Hysteriantics, on Jan 6 2010, 09:02 PM, said:
I might end up jamming my opinions down their throats. I'd assume my opinions should be based off of many different variables to conclude something more beneficial to the game.
I just don't want to sound like I am trying to make the game personalized for me.
I just don't want to sound like I am trying to make the game personalized for me.
They probably don't want to hear that.
Instead of saying "I like this game because it is too hard because I keep dying," could easily be replaced by "To the veteran FPS gamer, one might find it extraordinarily challenging even on the toughest of levels, however there are multiple levels of difficulty in which novice players can enjoy, unlike me who tried the hardest setting and miserably failed, but hey check out those blood splatters on the wall!"
Edited by NWilkinson, 06 January 2010 - 10:39 PM.
#14
Timmeh
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:39 PM
I obviously wouldn't say it's too hard cause I die. But I don't want to sound like a review. As Duke said, I have to get technical. Trying to make it at least 2 pages long.
#15
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:43 PM
Hysteriantics, on Jan 6 2010, 09:39 PM, said:
I obviously wouldn't say it's too hard cause I die. But I don't want to sound like a review. As Duke said, I have to get technical. Trying to make it at least 2 pages long.
Remember, you're doing an analysis of the game, not your game playing skills, but it's always nice to try to humor the reader in thinking you suck, no one likes to hear people brag and no one likes noobs that complain about being noobs.
Also keep in mind that reviews (you're doing an analysis, not a review) goes further than game play.. you'll have to go into the game engine, it's functionality, compatibility, ability to troubleshoot, stability, loop holes or bugs, eastereggs, etc.
#16
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:47 PM
Good point. Since I'm on PS3, that's all I can talk for though. We'll see how it goes. If I need help I'll post it here, and see if any of you can help me.
#17
.Andrew
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 10:58 PM
Become a GM...then help out my wow character 
#18
Timmeh
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 11:14 PM
Doubt that's possible =P
Page one almost done. Kind of filled in what I will talk about. So far it's single player and controls, just started on multiplayer.
Page one almost done. Kind of filled in what I will talk about. So far it's single player and controls, just started on multiplayer.
#19
.Andrew
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 11:15 PM
Well become friends with a game master, THEN help me. Thx 
#20
Mr Smooth.
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Posted 06 January 2010 - 11:22 PM
If you have no previous gaming job roles etc, it will be very hard. Blizzard are an exprience, no mess around company. When they hire people they go buy what exprience you have. I don't know one person working at Blizzard that doesn't have a degree, especially on the US team. You might say well it's only a game/beta/alpha tester. Thats quite a challenging role, they like you to be able to know the in's and out's of the gaming world plus have some experience in developing games to understand why something is happening.
How old are you btw? Blizzard aim for mid 20s, not sure why. Suppose it's to do with experience.
Write it yourself, they want to know about you, not some bullcrap to try to impress them. No one here knows you that well, infact no one in the world no knows you better than yourself. Be truthful.
How old are you btw? Blizzard aim for mid 20s, not sure why. Suppose it's to do with experience.
Write it yourself, they want to know about you, not some bullcrap to try to impress them. No one here knows you that well, infact no one in the world no knows you better than yourself. Be truthful.
