Ben-DutkaGrowing up, which of us didn't want to have a job testing video games? Such is the concept behind the PlayStation Network original series, "The Tester."
Today, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) have announced the new panel lineup that will appear in Season 2. Highlighting the lineup is Adrianne Curry, winner of the first season of "America's Next Top Model," and star of VH1 reality shows "The Surreal Life" and "My Fair Brady." She will team up with some returning members of the panel, including Brent Gocke, Senior Release Manager from SCEA, and host Meredith Molinari, model and host of several online music shows. There are even more recognizable big names from the industry, too-
This group – which might be fairly intimidating – will analyze the twelve Season 2 cast members as they compete to win a job as an official PlayStation game tester for SCEA's Quality Assurance department in San Diego, California. They even get a prize package consisting of a $5000 signing bonus, a 42" 3D Bravia HDTV, and a limited edition "The Tester" PlayStation 3. Cast member profiles can be found at the show's official website . Here's what Curry had to say about joining the team:
"As an avid gamer and PlayStation fan, I am absolutely thrilled to join ‘The Tester’ panel this season. We have a very energetic and incredibly eccentric cast of characters this round that I know fans are going to love. I have no problem saying what is on my mind and I hope the contestants appreciate my brutal honesty and unfiltered perspective on just about everything."
The debut of "The Tester" resulted in 2.5 million downloads on the PSN and PlayStation has once again teamed up with one of the biggest names in reality TV, 51 Minds ("The Surreal Life," "Rock of Love," etc.). That was obviously quite the success, which certainly warrants a second season. So, who's watching?
I enjoyed the last series, i'm looking forward to this.
Mmm, yet to watch an episode. How do the contestants compete? Is it by testing games and seeing how many bugs they find, and see who found the most?
In the first season, it was by putting them in games that tested (pardon the pun…if it is one lmao) their abilities Testers would get tested on ^.^, such as communication skills, eye co-ordination skills, teamwork, etc.
The tests in each round was nothing like anyone imagined. Ex: Fighting like ninjas, role play etc. Communication and team work are pretty words to cover up the actual goofiness of the show. It's kind of entertaining though, but it's not till the end where it's actually have some direct relation to gaming.
Ben you should be on that panel.
Heh. Fairly certain I'm not qualified.
You are no less qualified than Michael McWhertor from Kotaku.
I actually was a finalist for this season and asked to be an alternate for the show!
Wow, Congrats are in order for even getting that close!!!!
Cool beans. 🙂
Speaking for myself, I thought the first Tester was one very big snore-fest.
Hell, they only allowed the contestant's to actually touch a controller in the very last episode where they pitted them against each other in Uncharted.
Let's hope they stop with all the reindeer games, and do something much bolder to liven things up in TT2.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/21/2010 6:28:51 PM
Yea completely agree! They could've done better in the game design, such as:
The first episode. Instead of using choosing the errors in still images not related to gaming. They should have the contestants play a version of God of War 3 where a certain furnitures or items are moved around.
Actually let these people hold a controller, so they can have a feel of what they will be dealing with if they get the job. I can't imagine that is EXACTLY how David Jaffe started his career.
What does a tester do?
Do they do more than just game testing?
Would like to watch it.
Now SONY….:
Please bring this to the rest of the European PSN, along with the rest of the video store, will you?