A Dream Job: Insights from a Quality Assurance Tester in Gaming

A DREAM JOB In product development
'People think I play video games all day, but that isn't what I do, says the
video games tester who gives us only his online nickname - TestPilot. As a
tester, I've never really played the games - not in a normal way. I try to find
problems with them. For example, I've done a lot of 'matrix testing' where you
make every character in a fighting game go against every other character,
looking for issues with the game's function, or with the art and design. It's fun,
but it's also hard work! TestPilot adds that he also does a lot of administrative
work. 'Today, I've already spent two hours in meetings. And I've just spent an
hour writing emails. I haven't even looked at a video game yet today!
Test Pilot has worked as a Quality Assurance Tester in the video games
industry for about six years. Before that, he studied economics and politics at
university. "I've always enjoyed gaming, but I never expected to get a job in the
industry! After finishing his degree, TestPilot looked for office jobs. Then a
friend mentioned the games-testing job. 'For a laugh, I attended a group job
interview, and they selected me. It was a total surprise!' At first, his parents
often asked, 'Have you found a real job yet?' But when they realised he was
happy and could afford to pay his bills, they stopped asking.
TestPilot has worked for three companies. After three years in my first job,
I left that company for a position with better pay! But then two years later, that
firm went out of business and TestPilot moved on. I've been with my current
company for a year. They've just made me Quality Assurance Manager, so I
feel happy about that. To be honest, the money isn't great, but it's enough. I've
already had two pay increases, and I haven't become bored with it yet, and I
don't expect to. So I guess this is my career, now!' The biggest problem, says
TestPilot, is that he doesn't often play games for fun these days. 'It's too much like work! * Q & A:
Exercise 3 ( Page 50): Read the article and answer the questions.
1) What type of product testing is it about?
=> It is about matrix testing.
2) What good and bad points of the job does the article mention?
=>The good points of the job are make author feel happy and earn enough money.
The bad point of the job is hard work.
Exercise 4 (Page 51): Read the article again. The statements below are
incorrect. Underline the information in the article that shows the correct information.
1) TestPilot spends most of his time playing video games.
=> He also does a lot of administrative work. (L9 - 11)
2) Being a video game Quality Assurance Tester is the easiest job in the world.
=> Being a video game Quality Assurance Tester is hard work (L8)
3) TestPilot has just started working as a video games tester.
=> TestPilot has working as a video games tester for six years. (L12-13)
4) As a child, he dreamt of working as a games tester.
=> As a child, he never expect to working as a games tester. (L15)
5) TestPilot's employer has just laid off him.
=> TestPilot's employer has promoted him Quality Assurance Manager. (L26)
6) After work, he relaxes by playing video games.
=> After work, he doesn’t relax by playing video games.(L31 - 32) * VOCABULARY EXPLANATION
1. TESTER (n) /ˈtes.tər/ ukterri016.mp3 : người hoặc thiết bị làm công việc
thử nghiệm, kiểm tra phần mềm
a person or a machine that tests something
Synonym: experimenter, sample, vv
Ex: He got a job as a software tester
They are the world's top maker of memory chip testers
Q: Do you think what are the most important skills of a tester?
2. CHARACTER (n) /ˈkær.ək.tər/ ukchaot021.mp3 :nhân vật
a person represented in a film, play, or story
Synonym: personality, figure, vv
Ex: The film revolves around three main characters
Q: Who is your favorite character in the cartoon?
3. FUNCTION (n) /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ ukfumes006.mp3 : chức năng, nhiệm vụ
the natural purpose (of something) or the duty (of a person)
Synonym: purpose, task, role,…
Ex: I'm not quite sure what my function is within the company
Surely the function of the law is to protect everyone's rights
Q: Should the function of children's television be to entertain or to enlighten?
4. ADMINISTRATIVE (adj) /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.strə.tɪv/ ukadjus008.mp3 : (thuộc)
hành chính, (thuộc) nhà nước.
relating to the arrangements and work that is needed to control the
operation of a plan or organization Synonym: govermental,…
Ex: This software claims to reduce administrative costs (Phần mềm này
tuyên bố giảm chi phí hành chính)
The new study looks at the amount of time police officers spend on
administrative tasks (Nghiên cứu mới xem xét lượng thời gian cảnh
sát dành cho các nhiệm vụ hành chính)
Q: How long is the working time of an administrative worker?
5. ASSUARANCE (n) /əˈʃɔː.rəns/ ukassiz015.mp3 : sự chắc chắn, sự đảm bảo
a promise to tell something to someone confidently or firmly, or a
promise to cause someone to feel certain by removing doubt (
Một lời hứa sẽ nói điều gì đó với ai đó một cách tự tin hoặc chắc chắn,
hoặc một lời hứa sẽ khiến ai đó cảm thấy chắc chắn bằng cách loại bỏ sự nghi ngờ)
Synonym: guarantee, warranty, certainty,…. Antonym: confusion, doubt,…
Ex: He gave me his assurance that he would give us an answer by the end of the week.
Q: What brand of car do you feel the assurance of quality?
6. POLITICS (n) /ˈpɒl.ə.tɪks/ ukpolar030.mp3 : chính trị
The activities of the government, members of law-making
organizations, or people who try to influence the way a country is governed Synonym: goverment,…
Ex: The group is campaigning to get more women into politics.
Q: Do you think our country’s political system is safe now?
7. INTERVIEW (n) /ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/ ukinter324.mp3 : sự gặp gỡ, cuộc phỏng vấn
A meeting in which someone asks you questions to see if you are suitable for a job or course
Synonym: meeting, conference, discussion,…
Ex: I had an interview for a job with a publisher
Q: Have you joined any school’s club interviews?
8. AFFORD (v) /əˈfɔːd/ có đủ khả năng, có điều kiện.
To allow someone to have something pleasant or necessary
Synonym: give, allow, provide,. . Antonym: refuse, reject,. .
Ex:The hut afforded little protection from the elements.
Q: In your first salary, what gift do you think you can afford to buy for your parents?
9. FIRM (n) /fɜːm/ : hãng, công ty
a company offering a professional service,
for example a company of lawyers
Synonym: company, business, organization,…
Ex: He works for a law firm called Neiko.
Q: Do you think you will work at a firm or start your own business in the future? Why?
10.GO OUT (v) /ɡəʊ//aʊt/: rời đi
To leave a room or building, especial y in order to do something for entertainment.
Synonym: leave, exit, depart,… Antonym: arrive, enter
Ex: Please close the door as you go out.
Do you want to go out for a drink after work?
Q: What time do you want to go out?
1. TESTER (n) /ˈtes.tər/ : người hoặc thiết bị làm công việc thử
nghiệm, kiểm tra phần mềm
2. CHARACTER (n) /ˈkær.ək.tər/ :nhân vật
3. FUNCTION (n) /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ : chức năng, nhiệm vụ
4. ADMINISTRATIVE (adj) /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.strə.tɪv/ : (thuộc) hành chính, (thuộc) nhà nước
5. ASSUARANCE (n) /əˈʃɔː.rəns/ : sự chắc chắn, sự đảm bảo
6. POLITICS (n) /ˈpɒl.ə.tɪks/: chính trị
7. INTERVIEW (n) /ˈɪn.tə.vjuː/: sự gặp gỡ, cuộc phỏng vấn
8. AFFORD (v) /əˈfɔːd/: có điều kiện, có đủ khả năng
9. FIRM (n) /fɜːm/ : hãng, công ty
10. GO OUT (v) /ɡəʊ//aʊt/: rời đi
Document Outline

• Exercise 3 ( Page 50): Read the article and answer
• Exercise 4 (Page 51): Read the article again. The
• a person represented in a film, play, or story
• the natural purpose (of something) or the duty (of
• relating to the arrangements and work that is need
• a promise to tell something to someone confidently
• The activities of the government, members of law-m
• A meeting in which someone asks you questions to s
• To leave a room or building, especially in order t