Jobs in Games: Chickmania’s Jamil Alsakran on how to get a career in QA

• Jamil Alsakran began his career as a support agent at Babil Games and worked his way up to become Chickmania’s head of quality assurance.
• “Seeing people love the games we produce is really fulfilling and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”

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Behind every game is a team of creative developers making it happen. In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight some of the individuals working in the games industry, whether they are veteran developers with big hits under their belts or entirely new to the industry.

We ask how they broke into the sector and their advice for others on making a career in games.

In this interview, we caught up with Chickmania’s head of QA and game producer Jamil Alsakran to discuss his entry into games, alternative career paths, and advice for people looking to break into the industry as quality assurance specialists.

PocketGamer.biz: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you initially get into the games industry?

Jamil Alsakran: I began my career as a player support agent at Babil Games in 2020, following a chance meeting with one of their employees in a video game lobby. That first job sparked my interest in the games industry, which shaped the path to where I am currently as a game producer at ChickMania Entertainment. 

How did you land the role of producer and head of QA at Chickmania?

I joined ChickMania in 2023 as a senior QA specialist where my emphasis on process refinement and quality improvement quickly made an impact. Soon after, I became scrum master, leading Agile methods that improved our team’s agility and responsiveness to production needs. 

With the support of our studio’s head Mustafa Sweidan, these experiences led to my current position as game producer where I oversee the entire development process while focusing on QA excellence throughout a game’s lifecycle.

Why a career in games? And if not games what would you have been doing?

My love of problem solving and ongoing learning makes a job in games the perfect match. The industry’s dynamic and inventive environment reflects my own desire for creativity and advancement.

Given my educational background, if I weren’t in games I’d most likely be in the aviation sector, but the gaming world’s enthusiasm and challenges are ideal for me.

How has the past year been for you, any highlights? And what would you like to achieve in the coming year?

The past year has been quite satisfying with standout moments being the launch of Tribal Knights and the implementation of new processes that improved our efficiency.

I am very proud of the progress we’ve achieved in incorporating Agile concepts and improving our QA processes. In the following year, I hope to continue to improve our production methods and experiment with new technologies in order to push the boundaries of game development.

What’s your day-to-day like at Chickmania? Do you have any go-to ritual before stepping into the office?

My day revolves around handling production deadlines, managing QA, and keeping the team on pace. We begin our mornings with a Brawlhalla battle—sometimes just one, but if things get heated, we may squeeze in a second or even a third!

It’s a fantastic way to start the day with a surge of energy and plenty of laughter. But before that, I’m unreachable, trying to wake up with a big cup of coffee to get the day started with energy and a smile.

What do you enjoy most about working in the video games industry?

It’s the constant discovery and the possibility to solve new problems every day. The dynamic environment and inventiveness keep me interested and driven. Also, seeing people love the games we produce is really fulfilling and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

As someone with knowledge and expertise in aircraft maintenance engineering and quality assurance, how do you balance your career between these two fields?

My studies in aircraft maintenance engineering provided a solid foundation for precision and systematic troubleshooting. These skills influence my approach to game development, ensuring attention to detail and effective problem-solving.

I also use the shared responsibility principle from aircraft engineering: if one member of the team isn’t performing correctly or on time, the entire project can suffer, much as an aircraft won’t fly if any component isn’t working properly.

What’s been your most memorable, funny or unexpected experience you’ve had while working on a game? 

One of the most memorable moments was when a player came out to say how our game had helped them get through a difficult time. Hearing how our work affected someone’s life was deeply important and validated why we put so much effort into our games. 

If you could play one video game for the rest of your life what game would it be and why? 

I’d pick the God of War franchise. The complex plot, immersive settings, and strong combat mechanics provide a deep and fascinating experience that evolves with each instalment.

Also, the combination of epic storytelling and varied gameplay makes it a series that I’d be happy to revisit endlessly.

Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to work as a QA officer? As well as any advice for people laid off/struggling with work? 

Those interested in a QA role must understand their aims, be prepared to face hurdles, and have a real passion for games.

Consider the following question: “Will I play this game almost every day, for at least the next nine months, with a smile on my face, sharp eyes, and a commitment to reporting every bug?” If you can respond “yes,” you’re probably a good fit for a career in quality assurance.

On another front, the games industry has had a difficult year, with significant workforce reductions across the globe. My heartfelt sympathies go out to everyone affected by these tough decisions.

Remember to stay proactive by networking, learning new skills and maintaining a good attitude. Persistence and adaptability tend to be the source of opportunities.

What are you working on right now? Are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about? What can we look forward to from you?

I’m now working on one of the most exciting projects of my career, a sandbox open-world mobile game that will be the first of its kind in the MENA region. While I can’t get into much details just yet, it’s something really amazing.

We are also bringing some wonderful new features to our flagship game, Jackaro. Both initiatives are shaping up to provide new and interesting experiences for our players, so stay tuned!

Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan returns on November 9th and 10th, 2024, offering you a chance to gain insights into the world’s fastest-growing games market, MENA.