How do I apply to be a focus tester at Radical?
You simply fill out our online form.
What does a focus tester do?
You simply come in to our studio and play our game.
After each session you will be expected to fill out a survey and answer specific questions about how you found the experience.
What information do you gather during the testing?
We primarily ask for written feedback - in terms of a survey.
We also may record audio and/or video of your playing to monitor for issues with the game. Metrics are stored as you play to allow us to better tune the game to make it more fun.
We use all the various feedback you give to improve the end users experience.
Who can focus test games at Radical?
We are open to anyone focus testing at Radical, young to old, hardcore to casual, male and female. It is important we focus test our games across a wide demographic.
Please note as we work on ESRB rated M for Mature content we do not recruit people who are under 17 years old currently.
Privacy - what happens to my personal information?
At Radical we take your privacy seriously. The data we collect is held internally on our own servers.
The data will only be used to contact you for focus testing opportunities, statistical analysis (demographic / gamer type) from the focus testing data we collect.
We will never forward or share your details with any persons or companies outside of Activision, unless legally required to do so.
My details have changed how do I update them?
If you have already completed our Focus Test Application form and you need to update some information please send an email stating your name and the updated details here: radfocustest@activision.com
What happens next?
First make sure you have filled out our focus tester application
Once we have your details - we will keep you on a list of Radical Games Testers!
When we need to get some testing done we will contact you via email. The email will indicate the opportunity and specifying the actual dates and times, including what compensation you should expect to receive on completing the testing.
If you confirm you are available we will follow up and send you all the final details.
How do you contact me?
We always prefer email - it's easier to track and follow up.
We will email everyone when a new opportunity for testing occurs.
If we have some questions about your availability or there is a change in plans we may contact you by telephone.
Is there an age limit?
Yes - you have to be at least 17 years old to become a focus tester. This is due to the nature of the games developed at Radical. Our games are currently ESRB rated M for Mature.
We do not have an upper age limit and encourage applications however old you are. Please note we normally reflect our game demographic when hiring testers so the majority of testers are aged 17-35.
Why are people under 17 not allowed as focus testers?
This is due to the nature of the games developed at Radical. Our games are currently ESRB rated M for Mature. Our games are not suitable for people under 17 years of age.
Where does the focus testing happen?
Currently all focus testing occurs at our studio in downtown Vancouver.
Our address is: 7th Floor, 369 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6A 4C4.
How long does it take to focus test the game?
Focus testing times vary based on what we are testing. They can be as short as an hour or two - to test a specific feature. Or sometimes when a full play through is required it can be a full working week.
We will contact you when there is a specific testing opportunity and outline how much time it should take.
Is there any compensation for focus testing?
We appreciate your time and feedback, and, depending on the testing required, may offer some sort of compensation.
This may include a free game and/or financial incentives; the precise nature of which will be specified when you are contacted about a specific testing session.
What is an NDA?
An NDA is short for a Non-Disclosure Agreement. This is a legal contract you sign in which you agree to keep all the information about the game you are testing totally confidential. This is very important for us as we work in a very competitive environment and often our games are unannounced or are not at a stage where the details have been released to the press or public.
It is vital we can depend on you to only talk about anything you see here with Radical Entertainment employees.
We will go over this in some depth when you take part in any focus testing here.
Who can I tell about the game?
You should not discuss any details about the game with anyone outside the company.
Radical works in a very competitive environment and leaked information can have a big impact on the development and success of a game.
Even though you may trust your friends or family you should not discuss details with them. You can never know everyone who they know and it can be very surprising how you may be separated by only one person from one of our closest competitors.
As a rule it is always best not to discuss game aspects with anyone outside of Radical Entertainment to be sure.
You should not discuss any aspect of the game with:
- Your spouse / partner
- Your family
- Your friends
- Your colleagues
- Anyone who does not work for Radical Entertainment
In addition you should never email / blog / tweet / facebook write down or in any ways communicate your experience with anyone outside of Radical Entertainment.
Any explicit detail about the game is covered:
- The name of the game
- The franchise or theme of the game
- The genre / setting
- The location of the game
- The content
- The style of the game
Even if the game is announced publically and the game is not yet released - you should still not disclose:
- What you saw
- What you thought about the early stage build of the game
- Discuss the contents of the game in any way.
If you are uncertain about what you may discuss you can always talk to us.
Am I guaranteed to do some focus testing?
By applying to be a focus tester you are added to a pool of people we use to test our games.
We cannot guarantee we will always use everyone who applies. We will notify you, via email, whenever there is some relevant testing occurring - even so - we cannot move dates to fit you - so it may be that you will not be able to attend based on your own availability.
How often do you use focus testers?
We use focus testers at different stages throughout our games development.
We do some testing at early stages to get feedback on new features as we develop them. The majority of the testing occurs later on in a project when we have large sections of the game ready for testing. We will contact you when opportunities arise.
Why do you want to know if I or a family member work for another interactive entertainment company?
We are part of a publically traded company. There are very strict rules about insider trading and conflict of interest. As we operate in a very competitive market place it would not be appropriate for people who either work at a competitor or have close family ties to a competitive organization.
Therefore we cannot use focus testers who work for competitors.
If you have family members who work in the industry - depending on the nature of their position and relation to you we will decide whether it is appropriate to use you as a focus tester.
What can I discuss about the game when it is publically announced?
At the point where the game is announced publically by Activision to the press: it is then OK for you to tell people you tested the game by name. At this point you can also tell people that Radical is currently working on the announced game.
However even if the game is announced but is not available in the shops you still are bound by the NDA and may not discuss the details of the game:
- characters
- features
- location
- your assessment of quality
Note thse are still confidential and you should not discuss these with anyone outside of Activision.
If in any doubt do not discuss details.