Alex Gibson
QA Technician
Meet Alex, another hero under the QA banner! Our very own bug seeking missile, Alex is a beast behind a controller – and we love him for it! Beyond breaking the game, and breaking it again for good measure, Gibson’s a man of gargantuan trivia knowledge, gaming history, engineering, and so so much more!
Welcome, welcome, Alex! What is it you do at Glowmade?
I’m in QA – so I’m meant to come up with creative ways of testing the game, then communicate what’s gone wrong or what could be better with everyone else.
What I actually do is play through the same part of the game over and over again until it breaks or I do, and I’m still standing! I’d describe myself as a bug seeking missile. I spend a lot of time working alongside the Engine Team too.
Now how would your parents describe your job?
Playing video games all day, but with a good reason!
How did you get to this point in your career?
Whilst studying Games Programming at university it dawned on me that I was much better at breaking things than making things! I spent some time trying a bunch of different odd jobs but nothing really stuck. After a few years bumbling about, my Mum showed me a newspaper advert for testing games and the rest is history!
What made you want to pursue games?
I’ve always enjoyed playing games, so I figured I may as well get paid to do it! But I don’t think there was ever a particular moment, or even a plan!
I never felt like I wanted to do anything else and just assumed it would eventually happen. Luckily it did!
Share something you love doing outside of everything video games.
There’s things other than video games?? (This was news to me too.)
I’ve always loved visiting science and engineering museums – cars, trains, WW2 tanks and planes! Collecting models of them too – obviously I have a soft spot for the Hurricane and Spitfire, but my favourite is the P-47 Thunderbolt!
Who or what inspires you?
The heroes from my favourite stories & video games, uplifting epic music, and all my wonderful friends and colleagues!
Share something you appreciate about yourself. Give yaself a pat on the back, why don’t ya?
My memory and ability to recognise things with only a small bit of detail have come in very handy for my job and playing my favourite games (explains why I do so well at GuessTheGame too!), but I’d have to say my dedication and persistence.
Once I set my mind to something it takes a gargantuan effort to stop me – I have too many ridiculous daily login streaks!
(It should be noted, Gibson is a BEAST at GuessTheGame – actually quite terrifying, if it weren’t so impressive!)
What’s the best thing about working at Glowmade?
Easily the people. Everyone is insanely talented, friendly, and supportive. I love them all!
Anyone on the team who stands out as a role model, or source of inspiration, perhaps?
It is SO difficult to choose just one person when everyone on the team provides inspiration in different forms.
Hessa & Sophie were brand new to QA and have been absolutely relentless with their bug hunting. If I’m not careful they’ll put me out of a job, so I need to keep up the pace!
I’m also pretty sure that between them, Dec & Matt R make up the fount of human kindness.
If you could’ve been involved in the development of ANY game, which would it be?
Halo 3 – Finishing the fight, creating in forge, hundreds of hours of custom games with friends. A complete package released at the peak of the golden era of gaming for me.
What are your top tips for someone looking to get into games?
Play all kinds of games – you don’t need to be good at them, just get inspiration from them and have fun! The wider the variety of genres, the better!
In your opinion, who is the cutest Glowmade pet?
That’s not fair, you can’t make me choose! They’re all adorable!
If you had to pick one game to play for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gonna be cheeky and say The Master Chief Collection, because it’s several games all rolled into one!
(Very cheeky, but I’ll let it slide…)
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Garlic Bread.
(Correct answer.)
