[News] QA5 - Michael "Misk" Armstrong - Software Test Lead

[Kylie Kinslayer]

Michael "Misk" Armstrong


Software Test Lead


For those of us who don't know, what has your "career track" been with the gaming industry?
My career track in the gaming industry had been mostly playing them. Quality Assurance for UO is my first job in the gaming industry. Prior to our move to Virginia I had worked for an accounting firm back in San Diego.

What project that you were involved in are you the proudest of?
I would probably choose The Stygian Abyss expansion as I was involved in testing that project from day one after the move to Virginia. As this project was my first experience in QA it definitely holds a special place for me.

I think most of us understand and respect Dev's having to remain tight lipped about upcoming content etc. However, when it comes to past content only, what was the hardest thing for you to personally remain tight lipped about?
Smooth boat movement (period). When I first saw smooth boat movement implemented and started testing it, I am pretty sure that I uttered the words “Holy crap, this is freaking awesome!” After spending years fishing and doing MIBs with the old choppy tile by tile boat movement I actually had the “Dang, if you all only knew what is coming down the pipeline” moment.

When it comes to the current team, who is the practical joker of the bunch and have they gotten you? OR What was your best retaliatory strike against "the joker"
I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing.

When you are not chained to the desk working, what do you enjoy doing?
Spending time with my wife and pups, nearly anything baseball related and playing various video games.

 

[Larisa]

When I first saw smooth boat movement implemented and started testing it, I am pretty sure that I uttered the words “Holy crap, this is freaking awesome!” After spending years fishing and doing MIBs with the old choppy tile by tile boat movement I actually had the “Dang, if you all only knew what is coming down the pipeline” moment.

I just recently came back, and when I got on a boat for the first time, that is EXACTLY what I said....well I didn't say Crap lol but I was just speechless.

I can't imagine keeping THAT one a secret lol that was amazing!

Nice little QA Session, always looking forward to the next one

 

[Frarc]

Boat movement is great!

 

[Basara]

Of course, the first public demo of the boat movement at the High Seas announcement Town Hall in Fairfax went horribly wrong, as Cal was so fired up to show us the movement, and the pirate ships, that he forgot to turn on his god mode, and got pwned by a pirate ship within seconds of leaving the Floating Emporium.

 

[curlybeard]

forgot to turn on his god mode, .

I had not heard that. Good to see they were keeping with UO tradition.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

Quality assurance ?

I didn't know boats now moved smoothly... thats... great :whip:

 

[Kylie Kinslayer]

forgot to turn on his god mode, .

I had not heard that. Good to see they were keeping with UO tradition.

I was watching it from home when it was going on, he did not last too long at all


On another note.... Mesanna says she keeps her head down, and this week Misk {her hubby I am assuming?} sees nothing etc. I think maybe Mesanna fills the joker role and they both are trying to throw us off the trail

 

[Slayvite]

Wow, brave guy.
Actually admitting he's in charge of 'testing' content before it's released.

 

[AirmidCecht]

I would just like to say in general that we went into the spirit of QA5 with letting the community get to know our UO Team a little bit better and give an opportunity to interact a bit more.

We also have goals of doing more towards more in depth, Ask the Dev type answers geared towards game mechanics and such.

This is an opportunity to encourage not discourage communication. Please be mindful and respectful of our team so we can work towards a better experience for everyone.

 

[Lady Tia]

I would just like to say in general that we went into the spirit of QA5 with letting the community get to know our UO Team a little bit better and give an opportunity to interact a bit more.

We also have goals of doing more towards more in depth, Ask the Dev type answers geared towards game mechanics and such.

This is an opportunity to encourage not discourage communication. Please be mindful and respectful of our team so we can work towards a better experience for everyone.

Well said Airmid! Thank you!

 

[Slayvite]

Oh, you mean like they do with us.....

 

[Ludes]

Who decides what questions get asked? Just curious.. I was wondering if there could ever be input from players on the questions.

I'm sure they would have to be previewed but something like:

From "generic uostratics poster" Would blah blah blah ever have a chance of being implemented?

Then an answer.

Like maybe the last question in the interview could be a randomly (or not) question from a poster.

 

[Kylie Kinslayer]

Actually admitting he's in charge of 'testing' content before it's released.

I could be wrong, but testers are just that, testers. I can't think of any thing that ever comes out of QA 100% right, or even close to it, for any company. It's not until the player base actually gets it that problems/vunerabliities are found.

 

[AirmidCecht]

Good question Ludes.

We presented some more generalized questions to the team. You'll notice they are very similar with a few variations as we present more. The purpose though is to introduce them more to you so feel free to ask your questions right here!

 

[Slayvite]

I could be wrong, but testers are just that, testers. I can't think of any thing that ever comes out of QA 100% right, or even close to it, for any company. It's not until the player base actually gets it that problems/vunerabliities are found.

I could accept that but time and again we get stuff inplemented into the game that should never have passed Alpha testing let alone player based beta testing.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

Hmm... right... and how in heaven was I not selected for SA beta for example...

Some noobs (and I know they wont be offended they admit it) that I have myself introduced to this game got accepted right away, and beleive me when I say they had no idea how to "quality assurance" a product. I did, and I was turned into ridicule many times by Cal and Messana, in public and the threads are still there. How long have they laughed at me trying to upgrade when finally a PLAYER (Ned, thanks again) helped me.

This was not meant as being disrespectful, as I said before and time again I do not know this person at all. I had never heard of him.

Who knows what else EA asks him to do besides his UO job that might be taking a toll on his wits.

Beleive it or not Armid I am doing damage control, not demolition.

 

[Mervyn]

I was going to start slating that there really is a tester on the team, cos it seems not for most patches and the current bug list, but hey, maybe he does a great job in finding bugs, it's just no one fixes them.

 

[Ludes]

Good question Ludes.

We presented some more generalized questions to the team. You'll notice they are very similar with a few variations as we present more. The purpose though is to introduce them more to you so feel free to ask your questions right here!

Well just off the top I'd like to ask what client does 'Misk' play with?

 

[Tina Small]

We also have goals of doing more towards more in depth, Ask the Dev type answers geared towards game mechanics and such.

Airmid, who is going to come up with the questions for these answers?

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

She said they would open back "ask the devs" and to submit your questions there...

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