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This is a "rant" I wrote for my website C.Dump Magazine about my opinion on the future of testing with 3D TVs. Its not very long and it is the first piece I posted on my site after launch. There will be more QA related articles to come.
3D Gaming: A testers worst nightmare?
According to Sony, The next big thing in the TV industry for the next
decade is 3D movies & gaming in your living room. Most of us have
already plunked down nearly 20 dollars to see a 3D IMAX movie over the
years. Many are excited about the possibility of experiencing the same
(yet on a much smaller scale) 3D wonders in their living rooms. I assume
many gamers are also looking forward to 3D video games. I on the other
hand am not.
A Quick History
There is only a handful of 3D movies that have came out in the last
decade but 3D technology has been around for quit some time. It all
began way back in the late 1800’s. So technically 3D is not a “new”
technology and has been around in some form for well over 100 years.
There was 3D files in the 20s and the “golden age” of 3D films on the
big screen were in the 1950s.
In the last decade however 3D films have made a come back thanks to
IMAX and RealD. The first half of the decade seen a small number of
films and animated movies making their way to 3D IMAX. By the later half
of the decade the movie industry seen how much profit can be made off
3D IMAX over regular 2D viewings. Now with 3D movies coming out more
regularly. TV manufacturers (mainly Sony) are whipping up a media storm
about the future of 3D TVs and are forcing them out as early as this
year.
If they sell well it means billions for Sony and other TV
manufactures like Samsung and Toshiba. It is not just movies Sony is
pushing for these new TVs. 3D TV is also the wave of the future for
Video Games. 3D tech demos of GT5 and Super Stardust HD are being played
at major video game entertainment show around the world.
A Testers Opinion
I did see this coming. Being a Sony compliance tester I got the heads
up that 3D gaming was going to be added to Sony’s compliance testing. I
noticed it when looking through the updated TRC (Technical Requirements
Checklist) document in the fall of 2009. Up to that point it was still a
rumor that wasn’t officially made public by Sony yet. At first I got
kinda excited. Something new to play with and test is always fun. But
after giving it some thought. I realize 3D gaming will be a nightmare to
test on.
Although I did see Avatar in 3D IMAX. I did not really enjoy the 3D
experience. Wearing glasses to watch a movie is uncomfortable, While
extended periods of time watching 3D movies sometimes gave me headaches
along with dizziness when the action picked up. At work I stare at a TV
screen for 8 to 16 hours a day. Which gives me headaches, eye strain and
sometimes dizziness already. Add on top of that 3D Glasses and more
then likely broken blurry 3D effects on screen for the same amount of
time. No thank you. I think I’d quit my job quit frankly.
Although I don’t expect all testers to be switched over to 3D TVs and
testing on it in one foul swoop. It will be a slow gradual transition.
Just like the transition that will take place getting 3D TVs into your
living room. So at the moment I’m hoping I’ll work my way out of QA by
the time 3D testing comes in full swing. I’m (not so) secretly hoping 3D
TV flops before it gets its feet firmly on the ground.
- Billy Stever
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I see some real problems here. First, Avatar is the top grossing movie of all time. Second, it got there quickly BECAUSE of the 3D effects. Third, the paying public apparently doesn't agree with your assessment of the 3D experience. Fourth, 3D is just now catching on and it is getting better and better. Fifth, 3D is definitely an avenue to additional revenue streams that will make up for a lagging video game industry.
I agree. You need to quit.
I have to warn you, though. Criticizing your employer in a public venue is not a good strategy. You might "work your way out of QA" quicker than you might think.
My employer makes mostly iPhone games. Only 6% of their market is consoles (which they include handhelds like PSP and DSi as consoles) I'm not to worried about my employer not liking my views on 3D gaming and firing me over it.
@Steve:
I'm not debating Avatars popularity or how much its made. Nothing I even said there had to do with Avatar as a movie at all actually.
Ive been in QA for a while now leading in Xbox Compliance and I agree with Billy on this 100%. (I also do my own development stuff on the side not just QA) For the people reading this who have never been in QA, I don't believe you have the right comment on this at all. The treatment and demand from QA is always intense for 1/5th the salary a developer makes and the employee turn over rate is huge in compaison to a developer. Picture being told now on top of staring at broken game on a small screen for 10-12 hours a day you have to wear bulky glasses, while staring at not poilished 3D enviorments that are suppose to be poping out around you but are only half doing it and some are blurry, making minimum or just above minmum wage an hour and trying to explain to dev's whats wrong without the ability to get screenshots and Video and if you don't do a better job that the other guy going blind beside you, you will be let go at next renewals. Total Nightmare for testers, employers will have to start offering eye care to their employees which is highly doubtful as QA is the bottom of the barrel but one of, if not the most important part of development.
@ Jaime - I assume you work for Sony and probably make 2-3 times the amount a tester does with less risk of being let go than they do. QA in my opinion is the only place you truly get to see a companies true colours. Gaming currently has no union (only a matter of time like the movie industry before us) to complain to and its the companies best interest to recieve and listen to their employees about what sucks or whats awesome, Its how you improve and grow. Treating the people who Fix the broken problems like crap or demanding to much from them when you give nothing in return other than a pink slip at the end of the project. Its retarded and unfair to expect no one will comment or say anything. In fact, that C Dump Magazine site has a rate you're employer for QA which is an awesome idea. Its annoymous and is a great way for QA to voice their opinion. Companies should follow that section and listen, because QA is the biggest part of you're development process, is it wise to kick the 'little guys' while they are the ones who will detemine if you're game goes out polished or broken.
Just my thoughts.
Ps. I do know that sometime developers get shafted too with pink slips at the end of projects and all that jazz, its typically more so (all the time) with QA at certain places.
I was under the impression you were working for Sony, not an iPhone dev...so criticize away!
@William
I've worked for Sony's QA for quite a while, so I'm very familiar with "risk" and "true colours."
As for compatibility testing for 3D TVs -- or any other new technology for that matter-- it's always going to mean new testing procedures. However, testing for 3D (i.e. wearing goofy glasses and staring at a blurry TVs all week), is considerably less "nightmarish" than testing for other tech, like connectivity, for instance. Certainly, there's a physical toll 3D testing may have on the tester, but it's no different than your typical cycle.
I don't think Sony has any offices in Canada for testers to work in. If there was I would apply today.
I used to work for VMC where I was trained to do TRC testing by Derek Neal before he went to work for Capcom. So I have worked for Sony doing ceritication overflow. But it was indirectly through VMC.
I do work on PS3 and Xbox here at my new job but they mainly develope for iPhone. Lucky for me I only spent a month testing iPhone games before they realized my experince in console certification.