Darren King

I started in the games industry way back in August 1993. Unemployed at the time, a friend of mine was doing work experience for Electronic Arts. They required extra people to come in to Test their latest games, so I give it a shot, as I had nothing to lose.

My first product to test was the James Pond 3 on the megadrive. I was told that I was only needed for 4 weeks work, however with the high number of bugs within the game, it was very difficult not to impress and my contract continued.

Next I was given the Lead Tester role on Powermonger Mac. This was a great honour, as I was a massive fan of the game, when it had been released previously on the Amiga. Unfortunately I don't think it sold well on this format, so I must be one of very few who still own a Mac copy.

From this point onwards, I was offered a permanent job and many more products followed for me to be Lead Tester on. These included Magic Carpet (PC), Theme Park (PC), Dark Omen (PSX), Fifa Soccer Manager (PC) and all its licensed sequels, F.A. Premier League Manager 99, 2000 & 2001.

After 7 years working in their Test department, I decided it was time to leave Electronic Arts and find a new challenge somewhere else. On my last day at EA, I was offered a Lead Tester position at Sega. I accepted this, but it turned out to be a short-lived affair, as I found it very demeaning for a Lead Tester to refill their vending machines in the Test department. Coupled together with the extensive travelling times from Guildford, I quit only after 4 weeks.

I'm now starting all over again as a contract Tester for Muckyfoot, this time armed with a wealth of testing experience.

Source: Selected articles from Mucky Foot Productions Official Company Website - Info - Individual People - Darren King

http://www.muckyfoot.com/people/whoareyou/kingdarren.html