Since Lionhead Studios opened, we’ve offered the public a chance to carry
out Work Experience in our Testing Department. Through Work Experience you can discover
the wonderful world of video game development. Read on for more information…
Work Experience Testing: what about it?
1. What will you spend your time doing?
1. What will I spend my time doing?
Work Experience Testers at Lionhead do a similar job to our full-time Testers: For
the most part, this involves playing the games we currently have in development.
We do this for two reasons;
- Firstly: To find bugs (problems in the workings of the game
that prevent the player from experiencing the game as it is intended).
- Secondly: To give feedback on the quality of the gameplay experience.
The opinions of Work Experience Testers are important to us as you will be encountering
the game – as it stands - for the very first time.
At some point during your stint at Lionhead Studios you will also be shown around
our development studios, meet Development Team members and get given a good, in-depth
understanding of how we develop our games. If you are interested in any development
role in particular, be it Programming, Design, Art, Animation, Sound or Testing,
to name but a few, we’ll do our utmost to arrange for you to sit with a friendly
member of the team and experience exactly what they do, firsthand.
2. Which games will I get to test?
Any of our games currently at a testable stage of development! Top-secret projects
you may have heard of and a handful of top secret projects you won’t have
as well as the chance to look at our illustrious back-catalogue!
3. How do I become a Work Experience Tester?
If you’re interested in becoming a Work Experience Tester for Lionhead Studios,
please read the rest of this page before you get in contact with us; if you’re
keen, we’ll need you to send an e-mail stating:
- Firstly: Your age.
- Secondly: Your location.
- Thirdly: Which week you’d like to join us for.
Please note there are a large number of bookings at all times so prepare to be flexible
when attempting to book a date for work experience.
Within a few working days you should then receive a reply featuring the next steps
to confirming your placement.
4. What is the difference between ‘Beta-testing’ and doing Work
Experience testing at Lionhead?
‘Beta-testing’ refers to testing work that’s done during the ‘Beta’
stage, towards the end of a game’s development. When a game reaches this stage,
its content and functionality should be complete. All that is left to do is to tweak
the values that affect the difficulty and pacing of the game (this process is called
‘balancing’) and to find and address any major bugs still remaining;
the game should be more-or-less ready for release to the manufacturers / to the
general public.
Many Developers, particularly those making massively-multiplayer online role-playing
games (M.M.O.R.P.G.’s), offer the chance for members of the public to ‘Beta-test’
pre-release versions of their games ‘out of house’ ie: at home.
Lionhead does not offer this service. If you want to test our games, you have to
come to us. Here you’ll see, test and feed back on our games at almost every
stage of development; you’ll see the whole picture, not just ‘Beta’
stage versions of our games!
5. How old do I have to be to do Work Experience testing at Lionhead Studios?
You must be at least 14 to work at Lionhead, but you can only work 5 hours of the
day, as this is the law. If you're 15 or over, you can work a full day.
6. Whereabouts is Lionhead Studios based?
We’re based at:
1 Occam Court,
Occam Road,
Surrey Research Park,
Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YQ
ENGLAND.
You can find written directions to our location here.
You can find visual directions to our location here.
7. What are the working hours at Lionhead Studios?
The hours are from 10:00am until 6:00pm, with an hour’s lunch break from 1:00pm
until 2:00pm.
8. Do I get paid for doing Work Experience testing at Lionhead Studios?
No, unfortunately we don't pay Work Experience Testers for helping us test our games.
9. What do I get for doing Work Experience testing at Lionhead Studios?
A certificate signed by the members of Lionhead Studios is your reward for helping
us out - and of course, the opportunity to gain an invaluable, behind-the-scenes
insight into the day-to-day-running of the top games development company in the
country!
10. How long can I stay for?
You can come in for one week at a time, from Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays,
when the Studios will be closed).
11. Do I have to pay for my own travel expenses and accommodation?
Unfortunately, yes, you will have to pay for your own travel and accommodation expenses.
12. What buses go to the Research Park?
Should you need to get a bus to the Research Park, you’ll either need to go
to the bus-stop outside the rear entrance to the Guildford train station or Guildford
bus station (in the middle of town, outside The Friary Shopping Centre); whichever
is closer. You can then get a bus to the ‘Royal Surrey Hospital’ and
walk the remaining distance into the Research Park, where you’ll find us.
You can find details on Guildford’s bus services here.
13. Where can I stay for the duration of my Work Experience stint?
There are many affordable places to stay located inside or just on the outskirts
of Guildford Town Centre that are within walking / short bus journey’s distance
from the Research Park where we’re based. Prices and availability are updated
regularly; check the official Guildford Town Centre website for up-to-date details:
You can find the Guildford Town Centre website here.
14. Where and what can I eat when I am at Lionhead Studios?
Bring and eat your own food or buy food when you get here; we have access to our
own excellent in-house, Lionhead-only café! Additionally, several food vans
visit throughout the morning and afternoon selling hot and cold food, there’s
also a supermarket just a short walk from our building.
15. Will I be insured whilst I am doing Work Experience at Lionhead Studios?
Yes, you will; all Testers on Work Experience are covered by our insurance.
16. Do you have a dress-code at Lionhead Studios?
Casual, casual, casual…
17. Do I have to sign any documents before I can start?
Yes, you will have to sign and date a confidentiality form or, as it’s more
commonly known, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (N.D.A.). This is standard practice as
it legally prohibits you from discussing or sharing information about anything you
see, hear, read about or get hands-on with during your time with us at Lionhead
Studios.
18. Where can I get more information?
On our message boards, or if you can’t find the answer you’re looking
for feel free to email.
19. Where can I get more information on Lionhead Studios?
On our message boards or, if you can’t find the answer you’re looking
for, contact HR. Alternatively, click here to view the profiles of Lionhead’s
illustrious Test Department!
If you are under 18 years of age, the confidentiality form will need to have been
signed by one of your parents or by a legal guardian otherwise you will not be allowed
to enter the building in order to start your placement.
This situation is handled by HR during the booking of your placement. When you contact
Lionhead Studios, and give your details, they will pick up on the fact you are under
18 and arrange for the NDA to be sent to you so you can get it signed and bring
it with you on your first day, enabling you to start work.