Beta Game Testers Needed

There are a lot of reasons why someone might want to check out a guide like T Dub Sanders'. One might be interested in the underside of the game testing field. Others might just want to know what they can gain from a guide that is written to help people understand their role in the gaming industry. Others still are just pining for that ultimate career working alongside game developers and designers.

Whatever the reason, T Dub Sanders has put together one of the biggest and best game testing guides on the market – one that shows the underpinnings of the career in their raw, real format. There are no false promises of automatic testing or sitting at home and playing the newest games for hundreds of dollars a day.

That stuff is all pretty much a pipe dream and most people know it – yet many guide writers try to tell everyone that they can become the biggest and best new game testers in a field that doesn't really exist every day and too many fall for it. On the other hand, what T Dub has put together is a much more realistic, much more comprehensive look at what game testing is really about – the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming someone in charge of all that code each day.

By showing what it really takes to be a game tester, T Dub opens up an actual, realistic path to getting into the industry. He showcases skills needed to get started as a tester, the classes or college majors that people better be willing to invest in if they want to be a professional in this field and much more to help them figure out not only if the career path is right for them but if they are going to be cut out for it. That means a great deal for someone who may or may not know exactly what a game tester does and how it operates.

For anyone that is thinking about taking the path toward becoming a game tester, one of the first things that needs to be done is to learn more about what the career entails. Those people should pick up T Dub's newest guide and get a real insider's look at the job and how it really works. If you're serious about doing what T Dub shows you, you'll be on the fast track toward game testing in no time flat.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

PS Plus won't be required on PS4 for online movie&TV streaming, social features, and auto-updates

You are here: Home » News » PS Plus won't be required on PS4...

Posted June 18th, 2013 at 12:27 EDT by Ernest Lin18 Comments

While a PlayStation Plus subscription will be required for online multiplayer on the PlayStation 4, it will not be required for many other functions thankfully. Speaking to VideoGamer.com, Sony confirmed a number of features that will not need PS Plus to work including online movie and TV streaming, social features, and the previously Plus-exclusive auto-update ability.

"If you choose not to subscribe we are still gating relatively little in many senses, so access to online catch-up TV and online movie services sit outside of the gate, for example. The social features of PS4 and PS4 games sit out of the subscription service... things like auto-updates on PS4 sit outside of PlayStation Plus, so we're trying to be as balanced and as fair as we possibly can," explained Sony Computer Entertainment Europe UK & Ireland Managing Director Fergal Gara.

"If you choose to pay the subscription, yes, you get one important element of modern-day gameplay, but you also get fantastic value in games, including the PlayStation Plus Edition of DriveClub."

Allowing media streaming from apps such as Netflix and Hulu is a good decision by Sony, who's PlayStation 3 was the top platform for Netflix. My family, like many, very frequently uses their PS3 for Netflix and PS4 is positioned to be another great media device in addition to a gaming console.

Stay tuned to PSU for breaking news on the PS4 and everything PlayStation.

Ernest Lin is a US Editor for PSU when he's not watching films you've never heard of on Netflix. Follow him on Tumblr & Twitter for updates on gaming, movies, traveling, anime, Japanese pop culture, and more.

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

PSU has some of the best PlayStation content on the internet, and we want you to take part in sharing it with the world! This app will share your news reading activity with your Facebook friends, and allow you to see what they are reading. You can remove the app at anytime, and continue to read the news you love. We won't bug you!

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

Connect to facebook, so you can not only help share the best PlayStation content on the internet, but to see what your friends are reading too. The PSU staff thank you kindly for allowing the app permissions, and completely undersand (and won't bug you again) if you don't.

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here

DUST 514: A Universe Like No Other

You are here: Home » News » Electronic Entertainment Expo [E3... » Dust 514 » DUST 514: A Universe Like N...

Posted June 18th, 2013 at 13:14 EDT by Joseph Fait0 Comments

PlayStation Universe is known for having outstanding and in-depth coverage of DUST 514. Our resident Dust expert Alex Locher knows the game almost as well as the developers themselves, but for me, I’ve always found the concept a bit difficult to wrap my head around. During E3, I got to speak with Ryan Geddes, Senior Brand Manager on DUST 514 who told me why I should give the MMOFPS a try. Did he convince me?

The full release of DUST 514 landed on May 14th after a long period in beta and delivered a huge overhaul of the graphics, and a major update to balancing. What surprised me is the commitment that CCP is promising its fans including monthly updates, constant game balancing, and a drive to continually keep making DUST a better game. “I can’t overstate how seriously we take it; it’s part of our core, it’s part of who we are,” said Ryan said in reference to community feedback, and how CCP plans to incorporate it into DUST. And from what we’ve seen so far, there isn’t any reason to doubt CCP. Substantial updates – not just new maps are promised – in the next major patch, as well as improved vehicle handling and fine tweaking to the likes of shooting mechanics and movement.

DUST 514 launched with a big new game mode called Planetary Conquest, described by Ryan as, “The big metagame feature.” Players can take sections of planets, planets themselves, or take over part of a whole system. For EVE players, this results in what I was told were “bonuses to stations”. He quickly followed by saying: “we’ll be the first to admit that it’s nowhere near where we want that to be yet, it’s coming, and we just want to make sure we do it carefully.” It’s that kind of strong messaging that should be reassuring to both sides of the EVE server.

Within 24 hours of the new mode being unlocked, people were already vying for control of planets and stories were already surfacing about internal betrayal, like the ones experienced inside EVE Online over the last decade. Of all places, two sub Reddits, EVE and Dust have also quickly formed an alliance to oust a group of people out of a certain area of EVE space.

Certainly, the history of EVE has been interesting to a degree most games media can’t compete with, and with CCP now building onto the universe in a way that feels like it’s adding something that enhances the overall experience; and will just add to the scale of the amazing stories you hear from the series.

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here

PS4's DriveClub targeting 60fps

You are here: Home » News » DriveClub » PS4's DriveClub targeting 60fps

Posted June 19th, 2013 at 05:03 EDT by Mike Harradence1 Comments

The developer behind PlayStation 4-exclusive racer DriveClub is ‘targeting’ 60fps for the title.

Speaking with TSA, game director Col Rodgers said “the game is obviously currently in development…we’re aiming towards [60FPS] but aren’t making any promises right now.”

Evolution showcased a playable demo of DriveClub at E3 last week, which was clocked at 30FPS and was only around 35 per cent.

DriveClub is due out alongside Sony’s next-generation this holiday season. We went hands-on with the game at E3 last week, so be sure to check out our impressions below.

How do you think DriveClub is shaping up? Let us know in the comments section below.

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here

Friday, August 30, 2013

How to Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool Filter

How to Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool Filter: 16 Steps/**/var WH = WH || {};WH.lang = WH.lang || {};button_swap = button_unswap = function(){};WH.exitTimerStartTime = (new Date()).getTime();WH.mergeLang = function(A){for(i in A){v=A[i];if(typeof v==='string'){WH.lang[i]=v;}}}; wikiHow - How to do anything

HomeArticlesCommunityMy Profile WH.translationData = {'de': {'msg':"Lies auch unseren deutschen Artikel: Wie man die Patrone eines Schwimmbadfilters reinigt."}};WH.mergeLang({'navlist_collapse': '- collapse','navlist_expand': '+ expand'});EditHome » Categories » Home and Garden » Swimming Pools Spas and Hot TubsHow to Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool FilterEdited by BR, Krystle, Eric, Mudkips and 6 others

Pin ItArticle EditDiscuss

Cleaned filter, ready to reinstall. This filter has only been used once, after multiple cleanings, they do become stained.Above ground swimming pools offer a lot of fun and exercise in the summer time, but maintaining them can be an expensive matter. For those who want to save some money, or simply reduce waste, cleaning the filter, rather than buying a new one is an option.

Edit Steps

Preparation1Purchase quality cartridge type filters. These will have a pleated fiberglass mat or synthetic filter media, not paper. The cleaning methods described here will cause cheap media to break down, leaving the filter useless.

New filters, at about $5 (US) each.2Run the system with your filter as you normally would. When it becomes dirty, remove it from the pump-filter assembly.

Cleaning the Filter1Rinse any debris from the filter with a garden hose and spray nozzle before the filter dries after you have removed it. Drying will allow the collected debris to set into the filter media, making it more difficult to remove later.

Rinsing the filter immediately after removing from the pump assembly.2Allow the filters to dry thoroughly, preferably in bright sunshine, which has effective algaecidal properties.

Dirty filters on left, and cleaned filters on right, drying in the sun.3Shake or use an air compressor to remove loose particles from the filter's fabric. This can be done by tapping it on a surface, brushing with a stiff paint brush, or other means. Note that this step is in preparation for the actual cleaning, so getting it perfect is not necessary.

Brushing loose material from the filter's pleats prior to soaking.4Save the filters you would normally throw in the trash until you have several to clean. Because cleaning involves using chlorinizer and takes time, cleaning individual filters is not efficient. five gallon/18.9 liter plastic paint bucket will hold about five type C filters.

Removing a soiled filter from the filter assembly, it will be saved until several are ready to clean.5Prepare a large bucket with a tight-fitting lid to soak your filters. Use a solution of 1 part pool chlorinator to 6 parts water. Submerge the filters in this solution, then place the lid on the bucket.

Adding the chlorinizer to the water in a clean sheetrock mud bucket.6Allow the filters to soak to kill any microorganisms that are trapped in the filter media, and to break down any organic contaminants. One day is good start, but 3 to 5 days will provide better results.

Sealing the bucket to allow filters to soak, now, all there is to do is to wait.7Remove the filters and rinse in a bucket of clean water. Agitate the filters by holding them at one end, and dunking them briskly in and out of the rinse water. You should see a cloud of rinsed contaminants coming from the filter.

Rinsing the filter in clean water to shake out loosened soiling material.8Hang or place the filters in bright sunlight and allow them to dry thoroughly. Any more dirt that is trapped on the surface of the filter should be brushed off, using a stiff bristled paint or parts cleaning brush.9Seal the bucket you soak the filters in when not in use so you won't have to add additional chlorinizer each time you clean filters. Some sediment will accumulate in the bottom of this bucket, but it doesn't affect the usability of the solution.10Mix a solution of muriatic acid and water to dissolve minerals that accumulate in the filter media, reducing the rate water can pass through the filter. Use another clean bucket with a lid that seals tightly. Add about 2/3 of a bucket of clean water, then carefully pour in enough muriatic acid to give you a 1 part acid to 10 parts water solution. In a typical 5 gallon bucket, this means about 3 gallons of water to 1 1/2 quarts acid.11Soak the filters in the acid solution until it quits bubbling. The bubbles are an indication the acid is reacting with the mineral deposits, and when the bubbling has quit, the minerals should be dissolved.

Filters soaking in a muriatic acid solution, note the bubbles.12Seal this container when you are finished with it. If you keep your containers sealed tightly, the chemicals (either the acid or chlorinizer) will not weaken and may be reused for several cleanings. Allowing the containers to remain open will allow the chlorine to evaporate out of your solution, rendering it useless in a short time.13Rinse the acid cleaned filters with plenty of fresh water, then allow them to dry, shake any remaining collected dirt from the pleats, and they are ready either to proceed to chlorine soaking, or if this step has followed the chlorine soaking, they are ready for reuse in your pool.14Reuse your cleaned filters.

Edit TipsStore filters in a plastic bag or other container when they are cleaned to keep insects from making a home in them.Pool filter cleaning chemicals are marketed specifically for cleaning cartridge type filters, but the cost is fairly high in consideration of their performance.Using a 5% muriatic acid solution to remove calcium deposited in the filter media will increase the filter's performance if high concentrations of minerals exist in your pool water.For cleaning filters in pools where a large number of people swim, and suntan lotions or other materials may accumulate, using a dish washing liquid solution to presoak the filter may yield superior results.Discard any filters that become damaged or deteriorate to the point they no longer filter efficiently.Filters may become clogged much more rapidly when using clarifier in the pool water, as this product will cause the particles that cloud the water to be trapped more easily in the filter media.You may want to just get a new filter instead of reusing it.Remove and clean or replace the filter on a regular basis.Remove the collected dirt from the filter in stages, removing as much as possible in each stage. Simply tapping or brushing the filter after it has dried in the sun will reduce the amount of organic contaminants that need to be broken down in the cholrinator soak.Maintain your pool water chemistry to minimize the organic contaminants in the water, making the filter's job much easier.Make sure the filter/pump unit is working correctly before using shock or adding chlorine or other chemicals to the pool.

Edit WarningsThe organic matter captured by the filter can be irritating, so avoid breathing and exposure to the dust when removing it either with a brush or by blowing out with compressed air.The solution of chlorinizer you soak the filter in is very strong. Do not splash on clothes, and keep the bucket sealed tightly and out of reach of children.Use caution when pouring either liquid chlorinizer or muriatic acid. Add the chemical to the water, never the water to concentrated chemicals, and avoid direct contact with skin.

Edit Things You'll NeedSwimming pool filters to start with.A stiff bristled brush.A large bucket with a lid that closes tightly.A vacuum cleaner or air compressor (optional).Liquid chlorinizerMuriatic acid (optional)A water hose with a spray nozzle

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Paint a PoolHow to Acid Wash a Swimming PoolHow to Find a Leak in Your Swimming PoolHow to Maintain Your Swimming PoolHow to Properly Maintain Swimming Pool Water ChemistryArticle Info Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Swimming Pools Spas and Hot Tubs

Recent edits by: Flickety, Jmuddy95, Rebecca

Share this Article: Tweet
DiscussPrintEmailEditSend fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 128,086 times.

Was this article accurate?

YesNo

Write An ArticleRandom Articlevar aax_src='3003';var amzn_targs = '';var url = encodeURIComponent(document.location);try { url = encodeURIComponent("" + window.top.location); } catch(e) {}document.write("");document.close();Related Articles

Build a Hot Tub Platform

Make the Pool Area Safe for Kids and Pets

Green Your Pool

Shock Your Swimming Pool Featured Articles

Make Green Tea

Increase Your Metabolism

Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool Filter

Make a Brownie TiniMeet a Community Member

Meet Steve, an editor from the US who has been a member of the community for over a year now. He enjoys selecting videos and writing articles. He has published 9 new wikiHow articles, made over 3,700 edits, and patrolled over 4,400 changes. He finds contributing to wikiHow addictive!

Join The Community

- collapse Things to Do Write an Article Edit this Article Request a New Article Answer a RequestLogin for more!+ expand Places to Visit Recent Changes ForumsCommunity Portal Follow Us On...
the how to manual that you can edit

Home About wikiHow Terms of Use RSS Site map

Explore Categories Arts and Entertainment Cars and Other Vehicles Computers and Electronics Education and Communications Family Life Finance and Business Food and Entertaining Health Hobbies and Crafts Holidays and Traditions Home and Garden Other Personal Care and Style Pets and Animals Philosophy and Religion Relationships Sports and Fitness Travel wikiHow Work World Youth All text shared under a Creative Commons License. Powered by Mediawiki.
xThank Our Volunteer Authors.

Give wikiHow a +1.

if (WH.ExitTimer) {WH.ExitTimer.start();}

View the original article here

PS3 firmware update 4.45 taken offline as Sony investigates problem

You are here: Home » News » PS3 firmware update 4.45 taken o...

Posted June 19th, 2013 at 09:58 EDT by Steven Williamson1 Comments

Sony has taken offline PS3 firmware update 4.45 after reports that it bricked some consoles. The following statement was released acknowledging the reports and confirming that Sony is now investigating the issue.

"We are aware of reports that the recent PlayStation 3 system software update (version 4.45) has caused the XMB to not display on a small number of PS3 systems,” said a Sony spokesperson.

“We have temporarily taken 4.45 offline and are investigating the cause of the problem. We will announce when the system update is available for download as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience."

Initial reports suggested that some consoles would not boot up properly following the installation of the firmware update with users complaining that they are unable to access the XMB.

More news as we get it.

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here

Killzone: Shadow Fall impressed Sony enough to make it PS4 reveal centerpiece

You are here: Home » News » Killzone: Shadow Fall » Killzone: Shadow Fall impressed ...

Posted June 19th, 2013 at 04:34 EDT by Lee Millington1 Comments

It has come to light that Killzone: Shadow Fall was not always going to be the headline title at the PlayStation 4's reveal in February. When NowGamer spoke to Eric Boltjes, lead designer at Killzone: Shadowfall's development studio Guerrilla Games, it was revealed that the game impressed Sony enough that it was made so, and it also seems that Guerrilla won influence with their parent company.

The revelation came when NowGamer asked Boltjes if Guerrilla felt the pressure of knowing that their title would be put to the forefront of the PS4's reveal at the PlayStation Meeting in February. Boltjes explained that the studio had not always expected the game to carry that importance.

"We started working on the PS4 title and it became that good that they wanted to make it the centrepiece, which is very flattering. But once we knew that, it brought a lot of pressure."

He continued by explaining how the studio received "a lot of support and a lot of patience from Sony." Boltje claims that Sony has even taken their advice on board. "For example, the controller, we were actually involving in developing the controller as well. We gave tips like hey, can you make the triggers bigger and stuff like that." This might not have been the case had the game not been of such clear importance to Sony.

Killzone: Shadowfall will be one of the PS4's first-party launch titles. Take a look at the lengthy 21-minute gameplay showcase.

Is Killzone: Shadowfall an important PS4 title to you? Let us know in the comments section below.

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here

Square explains why it renamed Final Fantasy Versus XIII

You are here: Home » News » Final Fantasy XV » Square explains why it renamed F...

Posted June 19th, 2013 at 06:02 EDT by Mike Harradence3 Comments

Legendary Final Fantasy developer Tetsuya Nomura has shed some light as to why Square Enix opted to rename Final Fantasy XIII Versus.

FF Versus XIII was first announced back in 2006 as a PlayStation 3-exclusive project, though few details emerged on the title in subsequent years. However, at E3 last week, it was confirmed the game had been renamed as Final Fantasy XV.

Chatting in the latest issue of Famitsu, Nomura-san revealed that Square originally flirted with the idea of a name change just a few years after the game’s announcement.

“Around one or two years after we announced FF Versus 13, it was suggested to us to shift to FF15 as part of the company’s direction. By that time, a fair amount of time had already passed since the announcement and Versus was a well-known title, so it wasn’t a given that this would be 15; it could have still been Versus.

“Personally, I came to accept the idea once FF Agito 13's name was changed to Final Fantasy Type-0. As for the timing of the announcement, given that we were changing platforms as well, [the timing] wasn’t something we could decide on our own discretion. We worked together with assorted other divisions to get it announced at this E3.”

“We had originally thought about making this announcement last year, but due to assorted reasons that got delayed. This meant that the lifespan of the current generation of consoles was starting to pose a problem to us.

“If we were a year later, other companies will have more time to research the next generation, and releasing the game against their products on the older generation could have caused us to look inferior when people inevitably compared us.”

Nomura-san went on to say that FFXV couldn’t be realised on current-generation hardware, hence the decision to shift from its PS3-exclusive trappings to PS4 and Xbox One.

“With current-gen systems, we couldn’t fully express what we wanted to do in this project. There were more and more things that we would’ve had to change the form of. However, the assumption was that we’d go ahead with a current-gen release, so went through a trial-and-error process to do as much as we could.

“So we built an alpha version about a year ago, and the company response was ‘If you remained bound to the current generation, will it will be the product you envisioned?’ They suggested shifting fully to next-gen, and that was the spark that led to the move.”

FFXV was given an impressive debut trailer at E3 last week, showcasing action-packed realtime combat and stunning visuals. No release date was given, though presumably it’s still a long way off.

via Polygon

This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!

Connect to PSU's social reader to share articles and see what your friends are reading. [ More info ]

Facebook social sharing is - Toggle
View Your Recent Activity

My Recent Activity No Recent Activity

The Facebook Platform

6,005,103 Posts | 281,507 members

View the original article here