140w ago - PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has shared a look back at PSN's The Tester Season 1 winner Will Powers today alongside a glimpse of what he's doing now.

To quote: It's been almost six months since the end of the inaugural season of "The Tester". In April, we introduced you to our first winner, Will "Cyrus" Powers.

As we prepare for the second season of "The Tester," set to premiere on Tuesday, November 2, we thought it would be a good time to catch up with Will about his experience as a QA Tester for PlayStation, how it has affected his gaming habits and impacted his trophy collection.

So what's up with Will these days? Well, here's what we learned...

Kevin Furuichi, executive producer for PlayStation Network: It has been six months since you started working at Sony. What has the experience been like?

Will Powers, winner of "The Tester": The experience overall has been a blast. Testing may not be a super glamorous position, but its importance within the industry cannot be overstated. Being able to get my hands on games six months, sometimes even a year, before they are released is still just as exhilarating as it was the first time. But, the most rewarding...

143w ago - PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has announced today that Adrianne Curry is joining the Season 2 panelists of The Tester on PSN.

To quote: Adrianne Curry, winner of the first season of "America's Next Top Model" and star of VH1 reality shows "The Surreal Life" and "My Fair Brady" and passionate gamer, will join returning full-time panelist Brent Gocke, Senior Release Manager from SCEA, and host Meredith Molinari, model and host of multiple online music shows, when the first episode of "The Tester" premieres this fall.

We're also fired up to reveal the six additional distinguished gaming industry guest panelists that will join Adrianne, Brent and Meredith this season. They include:

• Stig Asmussen - Game Director for God of War III
• Ted Price - Founder and CEO, Insomniac Games
• Deborah Mars - Senior Producer, SCEA Santa Monica Studios
• Greg Goodrich - Executive Producer of Medal of Honor, Electronic Arts
• Michael McWhertor - Reviews Editor, Kotaku
• Travis Williams - Senior Producer, SCEA San Diego

Full-time...

144w ago - Sony PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has introduced fans to the complete Season 2 cast of The Tester today.

To quote: We're very excited to announce the final 12 gamers who will appear on Season 2 of PlayStation Network's exclusive original competitive reality series, The Tester.

From Maine to California, this season's cast is talented, passionate, and very competitive. Only one will win the job working for PlayStation in San Diego, California along with a $5000 signing bonus, a 42" 3D Bravia TV, and a 'The Tester' limited edition PS3 game system.

Front row (left to right): Boo, Ches-ka, War Princess, Gaymer, 8bit-mickey, Fantasy Girl, Meredith Molinari
Back Row: Big Fazeek, Samurai, Scooter, Triple Threat, Max1m, Mo Chocolate

Check out each cast member's complete profile and view their short video bio in THE CAST section of The Tester website.

If you're wondering who the awesome panelists for Season 2 are, check back next Tuesday when we announce our special guest panelist line up. And, as always, check back every Tuesday for more information on the upcoming new season of The Tester. More Reality. More Games. More Prizes. Only on...

147w ago - PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has introduced the first cast member for The Tester, Season 2 today alongside a new video trailer on the PSN competitive reality series.

To quote: After four intense rounds of voting among more than 28,000 registered participants, we'd like to congratulate the winner of our first-ever online casting contest for The Tester: Mickey Paradis (aka 8bitmickey) from Denton, Texas.

After receiving a majority of the 350,000+ community votes, he will join the rest of the cast this Fall for the launch of the newest season of The Tester.

If you've been following our ten-week long Summer casting contest, you're probably familiar with 8bitmickey's hilarious and well-admired video submissions. Well, he's got one more for all of his loyal supporters to say "thanks."





Check back with us on the PlayStation.Blog, follow us on Facebook and, as always on TheTester.com for more updates on the show. And, look for the complete cast announcement coming next month.

Thank you to the over 28,000 participants who made this possible,...

154w ago - PlayStation Network Executive Producer Kevin Furuichi has announced that The Tester Season 2 casting opens up for PS3 fan voting in the community today.

To quote: We're only three weeks into our open casting for the second season of PlayStation Network's original competitive reality series, The Tester.

By now, you should have created a profile, complete with videos and pictures, for a chance to compete on the series to win a job as an official PlayStation game tester.

Not interested in being a contestant? Well, you can still take part in the action by voting for your favorite casting submission. Remember, one lucky gamer gets voted onto the cast by you!





Beginning today, the online casting contest kicks off and invites the entire PlayStation community to vote for their favorite contender. For all of you contenders, it's time to push your friends, family and friends of friends to vote for you at thetester.com!

Round 1 voting ends on Friday, July 16th, which also means you still have 10 days to set up your profile, submit...