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Inside the Vault: Brian Bloomfield

 

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Today’s Inside the Vault features Brian Bloomfield from our QA dept.

What’s your job at Bethesda?
Quality Assurance Project Lead

What other games have you worked on?
I’ve worked on Oblivion, Fallout 3, Star Trek: Tactical Assault, Start Trek: Legacy, Star Trek: Conquest, Pirates of the Carribean: Legend of Jack Sparrow, AMF Pinbusters Wii, AMF Pinbusters DS, and Ducati DS.

What is the best part about working as a testers? The worst part?
I work with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met. It is also an awesome sight to see your name in a game played by millions.  The worst part, I think, is the misconception that I get paid to “play video games”. I have a friend, who happens to be a firefighter in Frederick County, and he thinks my job is a step above Mime, and a step below Magician.

How did you get into the industry? Do you have any tips for breaking in?
A friend of mine (who also works here) helped me get my foot in the door. As for breaking in, knowing someone within the business is crucial. Hard work and determination is just as important. Also, never get discouraged. It took me close to a year to get hired.

What would you say is your personal favorite game of all time?
This is a tough one. Toss up between Tekken Tag Tournament and Marvel vs Capcom 2.

What games are you looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to Fable 2, as well as Street Fighter IV.

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
I love my job. And I have an alarm clock that doesn’t know the meaning of “snooze”.

Worst job you’ve ever had?
Pretzel maker at Auntie Anne’s…yeah, it’s as glorious as it sounds. And more.

Any other hobbies and interests? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I really enjoy music (mostly Metal) and playing guitar. When not doing that, I’m usually caught reading a book.

Posted by acheng on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 11:54 am.

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6 Responses to “Inside the Vault: Brian Bloomfield”

Mmm, B.C. Rich guitars… props to Metal.

QA sounds like a fun job, but it must get annoying when the game has a lot of bugs. Still, QA input matters a lot, so getting a good QA team is a great asset.

Left by Kamran on August 19th, 2008

after testing the same questline over and over and over again for my mod i have a new gained respect for you Q.A. guys. big kudos to you for making the games enjoyable :)

Left by Lady Nerevar on August 19th, 2008

Please make this game good. Videos i have seen arent that old style gaming. You know what i mean…

Left by AzTeX on August 20th, 2008

Sounds like my dreamjob, nice to hear someone got a break in the industry. (Still trying to persuade my friend who works for a Game company to hire me :P) Kudos to you for making the games i play relatively playable.

Left by Ruiner on August 20th, 2008

Great Q&A time with another one of Beth’s greats. Keep plugging away and looking for flaws and workarounds my friend! :)

Left by Veritas_Secreto on August 23rd, 2008

Well, you’re doing an awesome job as far as I’m concerned. Oblivion was an amazing game; thanks for helping it become what it was. I’m stoked about Fallout 3.

Left by Nik on August 31st, 2008

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