I only want to know one thing.
Will FLIGHT have an SDK? That's the only reason I will or will not get a copy of it...
There was a job application many months back looking for someone to lead the development of an SDK for Flight. After some hunting, I found the contents of the application:
Are you passionate about technology, games, entertainment, and software development? Do you want to be part of a team carrying on the legacy of Microsoft Flight Simulator – one of Microsoft’s longest running entertainment franchises? Are you interested in learning (and testing!) how a single application can render the planet, simulate the world, and provide unique entertaining gameplay experiences? If you answered yes to any – or all – of these, then keep reading! This position may be for you!
Microsoft Game Studios is looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join us in building Microsoft Flight (
http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/) – an all new entertainment product utilizing Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live infrastructure. We are looking for an experienced candidate to work on our SDK (Software Development Kit) and tools pipeline, who is motivated to make a significant impact to our business, and drive great customer experiences - for our gamers, our internal developers, and our external development partners.
If you have the skills and the passion, want to work on a Games for Windows LIVE product, and are looking for challenge in a fun and fast environment, then you should join us!
What we offer:
• OWN the testing of the Microsoft Flight SDK! (Learn how we build the planet and simulate the world!)
• WORK with a highly-skilled, creative, and driven Test and product development team. Have fun while doing it!
• DYNAMIC fast-paced development cycles, small teams, rapid iteration, and strong feature ownership!
• COMMUNICATE with our passionate external development community. Help ensure we are delivering a product that delights our customers and meets their needs!
• DRIVE and develop our new test automation infrastructure, including ownership of how to best integrate with our SDK and tools pipeline!
• LEARN how to build and test games utilizing common industry tools and Games for Windows LIVE! Create fun!
• OPPORTUNITY to be creative in solving interesting technical challenges!
• EXPERIENCE in the video game industry!
Primary Responsibilities will include:
• Own the testing and quality of major features areas such as the Microsoft Flight SDK, the content tools pipeline, and the environment & modeling of the entire EARTH.
• Work with Dev, PM, Art, and UX leads to establish a quality bar that meets the needs of both internal and external parties. Be an advocate of building testability, security, and release criteria into product design.
• Contribute towards the overall test strategy and business direction of the team.
• Develop tools and automation to test the tools pipeline and/or environment features for the PLANET.
• Drive external feedback and quality concerns back into internal development for improvement of future releases.
A great candidate should have the following skills and experience:
• Experience shipping high-quality software on-time and end-to-end ownership of a feature across 1 complete retail product release cycle OR multiple, more frequent releases of a smaller product, such as web experiences or an SDK.
• Exceptional testing skills and a firm understanding of testing methodologies.
• Demonstrable proficiency with C# or C++ with solid knowledge of computer science fundamentals
• Proven success in utilizing test automation frameworks to generate quality UI or API-level automated tests
• Hands-on knowledge of the overall product development lifecycle and software test engineering components.
• Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking abilities
• Extreme passion for shipping quality computer games.
A BS or higher degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience is preferred.
Experience with game engines, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Direct X, or SQL is desirable but not required.
This is also interesting, as it talks about modeling of the entire earth, which should clear up the hawaii only speculation.
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