Spotlight The Testers Guild

chrstphrbrnnn · 06-18-2009

Banner by thesilencebroken

Welcome avid readers to the Forge Hub community Spotlight. Here we highlight some of the shiny stars, as well as underlooked talents, using anything from inquisitive interviews, to map highlights and anything else that we feel has gone without enough notice. This week on the Community Spotlight we have the Testers Guild on site. If you want to hear the thoughts of What's a Scope?, Kidbomer and Whisper, take a gander below at their answers to this weeks interview questions.

All of you have been with the Testers Guild for some time now, and have experienced a lot. What role do you play within the Guild?

KB: I am a Guild Leader, my Role is Lead Interviewer, I moderate the Testers Guild Board, and work the TG Feedback Database and Testing Times Thread.

WaS: I am one of the four leaders of the Testers Guild. I mostly run things that happen around the TG. I try to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I do a lot of behind the scenes stuff such as work on the Mission Statement. Kidbomber and I recently got basic moderator powers, and that is a big help. One of my favorite things to do is set up events such as the Saturday Night Party and Coordinate tests. Also, I am never afraid to test and give feedback.

Wp: I am currently a Tester's Guild Staff member and I have been for a few months. We are pretty loose regarding specific roles that guild staff members play; staff members don't really have any specific assigned duties. Instead, we generally do whatever we feel need doing. As a staff member, I usually propose and discuss ideas, weigh in and vote on proposals, give stars, and monitor the guild's members on both the forums and XBL. In addition, I also control the Tester's Guild Master List, which is the main list that records all our various members, their ranks, and what rewards/demerits they have received. I also try to monitor the testing session threads in the main TG forum and make sure that they are up to par. Beyond my duties as a staff member, I also try to participate actively in both the TG Skype conversation (which is basically our chatroom) and any testing sessions that I can attend.

Many people probably haven't heard of the Testers Guild, or at least don't understand its purpose. What, to you, is the testers guild?

KB: Its a Mini-community in my opinion. The Member are respectful, helpful, and know what there doing. Were extremely organized, which means everything will go as planned for Hosts wanting to Test there Map.

WaS: There is no doubt in my mind that the Testers Guild is one of the most important resources to Forge Hub. It covers one of the most important parts of creating a map, testing. The more a map is tested, the fewer flaws it has. Members are constantly helping out map creators and each other. Without the guild, I honestly would know very little about map mechanics. I firmly believe that if the guild could help me when I was struggling, it can help anyone.

But the TG is much more than just testing. The Testers Guild has become a great community. The members work together, and everything is kept in tact. Many of my friends and mentor have come from the guild. The TG is more than a group of testers. It’s a strong community of friends that work together and have fun together.

Telekinesis

Dedicating the time you all do to the Guild can be very consuming. What caused you to join?

KB: I was bored and I needed something to do, and I happen to be on a lot on Xbox Live so, hey, why not join and test maps?

WaS: Well, I got my map tested for the first time, and I liked what I saw. At the time, I hadn’t played many competitive games on custom maps. I decided I wanted to play some fun maps and help people out. So I found the join thread and put in my application.

Wp: I joined the guild for a myriad of reasons. Primarily, I was getting tired of playing Matchmaking by myself and I was hoping that I could meet some cool people while playing on some fun maps. Secondarily, I wanted to give back to Forgehub, instead of just lurking around and leeching maps. Lastly, I wanted to help people make their maps better (because we all know that I make everything better).

Where do you feel the Testers guild will go in the future, and what potential do you see it having?

KB: It'll be a huge hit. However making it on other sites or advertising on Bungie or other sites would ruin it. Its an "FH Exclusive"

WaS: I see a lot of potential in the Guild. First off, I see the potential of making ForgeHub a better forging community as a whole by helping map creators. I also see potential in having a blast. Testing is usually down right fun not to mention the events and chats.

WP:

I'm sure through testing so many maps and working with lots of different forgers, you must have picked up quite a few tips. Who have you learned the most about forge from?

KB: One of my good friends, Trevor. He showed me Forge Hub, but after that I learn most thing by myself.

WaS: This is the easiest question, but I have to pick two people. They are Transactionzero and chrstphrbrnnn. I was working on a map that seemed hopeless. I just didn’t understand how to make map good for gameplay. TZ began helping me a lot, and then Chris stepped in. Chris tore apart my map. Although I was disappointed, something clicked inside of my head. I slowly began to understand map mechanics. I owe a lot of my experience to them.

Wp: I have to say that I owe my forge knowledge to a large group of people. To start off, I have to give a shout to Vorpal Saint. We have forged a bunch together in the past and, I think, have learned a lot from each other. Next, I have to thank all the people who have had testing sessions that I've attended. I've learned so much from just playing and then entering in to forge to help you guys spruce up your maps. Also, (like everyone else that forges) I have to thank TDF for all that he's done to advance the field of forging for forgers everywhere; his Forging 101 articles have been an invaluable resource. Speaking of the Forging 101, I can't forget to thank everyone besides TDF who has contributed an article in either Forging 101 or Halo Forge Discussion. You guys are great! Next, I have to thank TransactionZero. He has shown me indirectly through his work on Encephal that it doesn't matter how long it takes you to perfect your map - what matters is that it is perfect when you release it. As they say, patience is a virtue and Transaction has patience in spades. As we all know, TheSilenceBroken is a great forger who knows what he's doing when it comes to making maps. From playing with him and from playing on his multitude of maps, I've been able to learn a lot about the work that goes on outside of the main forging process, as well as a lot about what goes in to creating a masterpiece of a map. Now, despite the fact that I have loads more people I want to thank, I'm going to have to cut it short and just list the rest of the people I'd like to thank because I'm sure a lot of you don't want to read any more of me showing my gratitude. These people are just important to me as the others that I've listed above, but I just don't have room to write about each of them. Without further ado, I'd like to thank Insane54, Linubidix, xX5w33ny70ddXx, chrstphrbrnnn, Bl00D F1R3, Roche178, justcallmedrago, Itz NeXn, Fritzster, DeathToll77, Kidbomber, What's A Scope?, Metallic Snake, DimmestBread, squidhands, Draw the Line, Cosmic Rick, Furious D 18, Eyeless Sid, The Yellow, BlazeIsGod, Paulie Walnuttz, and the list goes on.

I'm sure not everyone sees the value in having their map tested. Why would you recommend people have their maps tested by the Guild?

KB: Same Reason why you ask you a student in your class to Proof-Read your essay. You want feedback and ideas on things to add and things to improve.

WaS: For one thing, it’s a very simple procedure. All you have to do is create a thread in the TG forum, describe the map, and give us a time and date. When the time comes, you invite us, and we come. It’s extremely simple to get out there. You get our experience, expertise, and most importantly feedback. Testing is important in optimizing your map’s gameplay and more.

Wp: There are many reasons to get your map tested by the guild. First, we all know that you like your map, which is good; however, that's not important. What is important is that everyone else likes your map. We help you to make sure that your map plays smoothly, evenly, and in a manner that is fun for everyone. We'll give suggestions, point out flaws, and push your map to the limits in order to help you make it as amazing as possible. Utilize us and you'll come out all the better for it. Secondly, we offer a service that allows you to find some people to help play your map if you can't find any friends who are willing to do it. Whether you take any of our suggestions or not, you will still be able to play your map with a few fun individuals. Thirdly, instead of your map being relegated to obscurity right after it is posted, by testing you will have a few individuals who will be able to post their thoughts on your map, which will give it some credibility to the general Forge Hub population. Who knows? You might even be so lucky as to be rewarded our coveted "Tester's Guild Approved" stamp, which will show that your map has been thoroughly tested, is up to TG standards, and is one of the best maps we have had the opportunity to play.

Tetradymite

As mentioned earlier, the Testers Guild can be quite time consuming. Why would you recommend members of Forge Hub to join the Testers Guild?

KB: If you want to see the next possible featured map, or maybe you just want the experience of reviewing maps and giving Feedback? Not to mention you'll meet some great friends.

WaS: People should join the TG, because they can have fun while helping people. Even if you aren’t a master forger, your opinion can help map creators map their maps great.

Wp: We will gladly welcome anyone who chooses to apply to the guild, as long as they meet the requirements. for membership. There are a few great reasons as to why you should join the guild. First of all, you get access to a great group of people who you will quickly become friends with and who will be there to help you with your own maps whenever you need it. Additionally, joining the guild is one of numerous ways for you to give back to the Forge Hub community and show that you want to do more than just post and download maps. Also, tester's are at times able to help test maps that are being debated for Feature, as well as maps from very prominent forgers. Lastly, you will be able to have your own personalized signature and avatar that shows everyone on the site that you are a member of the Tester's Guild.

There have been many influences in the Guild over the past year. What do you believe is the main factor for success within the Guild?

KB: Two words: "TransactionZero."

WaS: The success of the Testers Guild is obvious. The TG has gained many members since it began and has evolved into its own subforum. This happened by the hard work of all our members, especially the leaders and staff and the previous ones. Our hard work has brought us to where we are today.

Wp: I think that the Guild has become as successful as it is through a combination of the community's willingness to contribute and participate and the forgers' need for people to help them with their maps. These are the two basic foundations upon which the guild rests, and without them, there would be no reason for a guild. To put it concisely: we're successful because our community is willing to fill a necessary role and help out members in need.

Blast Off!

Out of all the members here at Forge Hub, who do you connect with the most?

KB: Probably Insane54. Since I joined the TG I've been talking with him a lot. Other than that I can't say, I have quite a few friends here.

WaS: This is a tough question because I have so many friends. I would have to chose either Transactionzero or chrstphrrnnn. Mostly for what I said earlier for helping me with forge, but they also are just great people. They also have some great maps to play on.

Wp:

I can't just choose one, so I gotta CATCH 'EM ALL! Erm, I mean, CHOOSE 'EM ALL!

Besides spending the majority of your time running the guild, where else on Forge Hub do you dedicate yourself?

KB: Lately I've roamed into the black hole called 'Off-Topic' and always came back for more, as well as General Chat, G&A and Gaming Discussion.

WaS: I just got accepted into the newly opened Review Hub, and I am stoked about that. I also enjoy discussing things about forge, in general chat, and debates. I try to contribute and help people out. I also like chatting whether it be shoutbox or ppc.

Wp: Nothing specific, just all around mayhem and chaos.

- What other activities do you take part in outside Forge Hub?

KB: At the Moment im a Student going to 10th grade. My hobbies extend to plenty of things like, XCM, Juggling, Collecting Coins, Magic, Film/GFX, Artist, Megalomaniac, and Debater, to just name a few.

WaS: Of course, I play Halo and other video games. Other than that, I like to hang out with friends, watch movies, play with my pet cats, persuade people into think they are cats, and just having fun.

Wp: Outside FH? What's that? (School/Graphic Design/Working Out/Working/Loving/Football/Skiing/Chilling/Partying/Reading/Frisbee/Music/Driving Around/Habitat For Humanity/Pimpin' All Over The World)

So there you have it folks - the Testers Guild in a nutshell. It's pretty interesting looking into the minds of those who make Forge Hub tick, especially when they are such unsung heroes as these guys are. What's a Scope? was recently award the loyal rank for all his hard work in the Testers Guild over his stay. Make sure to congratulate Scope andremember, Whisper loves all but four hundred of you guys.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the next Community spotlight. If you feel you know someone who deserves a spotlight, send a private message with three reasons as to why (evidence provided) to either chrstphrbrnnn or Transactionzero.

Silent oo death · 06-18-2009

What's a testers guild? This makes me wish i had a little ambition. Unfortunately; or maybe fortunately i don't. Good community spotlight, i hope it brings some attention the the testers guild.

P.S. Testers guild approved stamp??? WTF HAX.
P.P.S. that map blast off was very fun in testing.

Shanon · 06-18-2009

Well, nice getting a bit of insight into the guys hard at work in the Tester's Guild.
Twas a nice write-up and interview with the n0obz.

Just a quick question, approximately how long does it take for another one to make front page?

chrstphrbrnnn · 06-18-2009

Two weeks, we had some scheduling issues for the last one though, expect the next two weeks from today.

Silva Sniper · 06-18-2009

Yay sweet we are thanked again by the community.I love being in the guild I met a whole bunch of people and tried a lot of new things.Besides I love the TG more then anything on FH sometimes.Cool guys and nice interview well thought out and oh noez teh evil aproval badge!

ER1C0 · 06-18-2009

Sweet. I wish we can get some feedback from a "lesser" person, just to see their angle of Forgehub, not just the people who've been here for years.

It's still a nice idea.. so I hope we can keep this goin'.

stickmanmeyhem · 06-18-2009

Go TG! Footnote: The testers guild is not just a group of awesome people, its a lifestyle. *Shifty Eyes*
*Turns and whispers in WaS's ear*
*nodds head*
The Testers Guild IS just a group of awesome people, and not a lifestyle.
*Winks*
_____________________________

Anyways, its nice to be recognized for our great work, sense of humor, and overall being the best... As once the wise whisper said

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisper

I can't just choose one, so I gotta CATCH 'EM ALL! Erm, I mean, CHOOSE 'EM ALL!

Ell3ment · 06-18-2009

I think more than anything with the testers guild i just enjoy having the ability to apply valued input to some of the better maps that are getting added to the wide selection of maps offered to this site.

P.S. Blast Off!! made the post :)!!

zeppelinboy777 · 06-18-2009

It's cool. Sitting there waiting for friends to play customs is boring, and there's pretty much always a test going on. Tester's guild is worth it just for that extra 100 friends that are playing Halo.

PRSplayer42 · 06-18-2009

The tester's guild is very important to me and many others here, and I tip my hat off to you guys. This shows me how they handle it and what they do in their spare time (Some things I wouldn't want to know). And thanks Chrstphrbrnnn for putting my map up here I appreciate your support.

P.S. Telekinesis is finally going to be released on Friday!

-Dylan