On game download and playing platforms, many people become testers for some games before they are released and share their experiences with game companies. Although this is beneficial for companies, many of the rights of testers are taken away and they are made to work in difficult conditions. Epic Games has made a decision to change this order. Here is the good news that will save test players from exploitation…
Testers can be full-time employees
Epic Games hires US-based contingent employees full-time and with benefits. The Fortnite developer is offering full-time employment to other eligible employees alongside quality assurance (QA) testers.
In an employee note obtained by The Verge, Epic Games will offer full-time discretionary employment to eligible US-based contingent workers, and most of these offers are effective April 4, 2022. He said he would. He was also talking about the exceptions stating that some workers could not get offers.
Several hundred contractors will be hired, and most, if not all, will become quality assurance (QA) testers, Epic Games spokesperson Elka Look said. QA testers and other workers are contracted through temporary agencies including Eastridge, Hays and Nextaff.
The gaming industry, including Epic Games, has been pretty ruthless with testers. Many test players are trained for hours on end. Moreover, sometimes they do not receive a fee for these working periods called crunch. In 2019, Epic Games was met with criticism after announcing the long work days it took to improve Fortnite in line with fan expectations.
This step taken by the gaming company seems to increase the competition between rival companies. It will also kind of encourage other game development studios to improve working conditions for QA testers and other employees.
What do you guys think about this step taken by Epic Games? Do you think other game development studios will take similar steps? Do not forget to share your ideas and opinions with us in the comments.