Tag Archives: Guide

Getting Hearthstone Gold, The Easy Way

Posted by on September 5, 2014 No comments

New Hearthstone players receive a lot of gold due to the easier achievements. One might feel inclined to spend this right away, and hope to get lucky. However, I suggest taking another path. Buying card packs is not the most efficient way to grow your collection. Doing well in the arena is much more beneficial, and achieving a 12 win streak could grant several packs, in addition to dust and gold. Though this way does require a bit more skill and knowledge about the game in order to be effective. Knowing which cards to pick during the drafting phase is crucial for succeeding in arena. Therefore, I would recommend saving your gold until reaching an adequate understanding of the game. In the meantime, complete the quests and achievements (don’t forget to re-roll 40 gold quests for a chance at a better one), play with the free cards, and study experienced players at youtube.com or twitch.tv. When you feel ready to start competing in the arena, start out by using one of the arena card tier lists that are available online. Oftentimes, card value outweighs synergy and mana curve when starting out, at least to a certain extent. As you get more experience, you will be able to incorporate these aspects as well.

If you have already been playing the game for a while, or just ran out of gold to use for new arena runs, it can be a tedious task to grind enough casual/ranked wins. But there are ways of making the process a bit faster. If you are able to resist the instant gratification of completing every daily quest right away, you can click on the “x” on a quest to re-roll it. This can be done once every day, and will give you a new random quest, and since there are different rewards (40, 60 and 100 gold), I only recommend discarding the 40 gold ones while completing the others.

The second way of improving the speed at which you acquire gold, is shortening the length of each match. Decks are built to gain advantage at different points of the game. What I suggest is using some form of rush deck, which aim to swarm the board with cheap cards and win as quick as possible. For example, control-warrior would be a bad choice for this purpose. Right now in the current meta, zoo-warlock is a cheap deck which is great for grinding gold. There are several versions of it online, or you can create your own and test it until you’re satisfied. The basic idea behind it, is using the hero ability of warlock in order to play as many cheap minions as possible in the early stages of a match. However, the meta is constantly changing, and this deck might be outdated in just a few weeks. But you can use the principles that are described above to adjust and adapt to these changes.

If you want to know more about hearthstone tips and strategies:

HearthPwn (forums and decks)

Hearthstone Mastery (affiliate link) Guide to both arena and ranked play

Playing Marketglory for Cash

Posted by on April 29, 2014 No comments

What is Marketglory?

It’s a browser based strategy game, where in-game earnings can be converted to real money. The system is very similar to what is used in “Anno 1777”, which is discussed more in depth over in this article. But I found Marketglory to have an interface that is much easier to understand and navigate. This is in my opinion the best online browser-game that can generate real cash, which is why I dedicated a whole article to it. Even though it isn’t any kind of beta testing, I still think it’s a great and fun way to make some extra cash online.

How does it work?

There are several ways to earn money in this game. But basically, the reward from almost every activity is determined by energy, and productivity levels. Energy is gained from different factors like food, clothing etc. Experience increases from working, and knowledge builds from reading books. These three variables are then used to calculate productivity. This might sound complicated, but it really isn’t when you see it for yourselves. Based on energy and productivity levels, a reward is given from working, fighting and doing other activities in game. When you started to get a hang of the game and how it works, you have the opportunity to start your own company in a wide range of different areas and compete with other players. If you want to dig in even deeper, there are many additional features, one example is the possibility of buying stocks, participating in wars, or challenging other players in the arena. The creators of this game have also made one that is played like a football (soccer) manager, which I haven’t tried out myself, mainly because I have very limited knowledge about the sport.

Tips

I would suggest starting out by just working once every day (which is the maximum limit), fighting 10 times each day and buying dairy from the local market before doing this, to maximize profit. Reading a few articles between fights can also be a good idea, because this also restores energy levels. But there are different ways to go about it, and this is just my own preference. Try out what works for you and let me know what you think over here on the contact form.

If you want to try it out, just click the link below:

Marketglory (referral link)

Marketglory (non-referral link)

Using Crowdsourcing to get Software Testing Experience

Posted by on February 23, 2014 No comments

Experience

When starting out in the software testing industry, it can prove difficult finding your first job. This goes for almost every kind of industry, previous experience is needed in order to get work, and a job is needed to get experience. This turns into a bad circle where basically you need a job to get one. So what can we do about this? There are several ways to make yourself more attractive to employers. Getting a software testing certificate from one of the big companies can definitely increase your chances of landing a job. But another way to get experience, and earning a bit of money at the same time, is through crowdsourcing. For those of you who have never heard of this, it is like outsourcing to a large group of people, where everyone gets smaller tasks to complete.

How does it work?

There are various resources online, where game/software testers can sign up and apply for work. After registration, there is usually a trial period for new employees, where they get to learn and show their skills. Some sites assign new people with a mentor during the starting period, who will help them and answer questions. So when registration is completed, all you have to do is look around the site for projects that you wish to participate in. The more active you are, the more projects will become available to you, assuming that the previous ones are correctly completed. The reward varies between different projects, and some of them offers provisional payment when bugs are found. By working with crowdsourcing as a tester, you improve the skills needed, get experience working in this field, and make some money on the same time.

Resources

So now I guess you’re eager to start, and wondering where to find these sites. One of them is called Crowdsourcing, and can be found HERE. Just click the “For testers” tab, then “Become a tester”, and you’ll find additional information as well as a link to sign up. Another great site is UTEST. You can sign up as a tester by clicking the “Join Our Community” button on the top right corner of their site. These are just suggestions, so feel free to look around and see if you find something that suits you better. Hope you find this article helpful, feel free to contact us if you have any further tips.

Software Quality Assurance Jobs and QA Training

Posted by on February 17, 2014 No comments

Quality assurance is another word for testing, in the sense it is discussed here. The difference is that the term quality assurance jobs can include working with non-software physical products as well. But we will not talk about these kinds of jobs here that does not deal with software.

Certification

The job market right now is tough, and the competition is huge. Many look for some kind of edge that will increase their chances of getting work. In software testing, one way to make this happen, is by going through some kind of official training or certification. There are several different kinds of programs, where you can enroll to earn a certificate. Most of these offer a foundational course, for which you don’t need any previous qualifications. After completing this, there are several additional programs that builds upon previous knowledge for more advanced topics. If you are already working in software testing, it can help in advancing your career and move you closer to desired positions. But certification doesn’t only help in getting the job, it also improves the current skill set of participants.

How do these programs work?

Several different companies provide this kind of training. You can check some of them out on the links below, or look around and find your own. There are mainly two kinds of programs: those where you need to complete teacher-led classes, and those without a teacher where you can learn by yourself and then pass by successfully completing the exams. The cost of participation varies between different providers. The exams difficulty depends on what QA training course you’re enrolled in, and the questions differ every time. Oftentimes, you need to attend the final test in person, but some providers maintain locales all over the world for international customers. Depending on the program you have chosen, you might be able to finish the exam online too.

Where can I find these courses?

Some QA training programs can be completed online, one provider that offer this is International Institute for Software Testing who also, alternatively have on-site education if that is your preference. Another great option is American Software Testing Qualifications Board. Look around a bit online and see if you find something that suits you. If you’d like to get a deeper knowledge, check out Software Certifications. There are many different options when looking for quality assurance jobs and certification, so take your time deciding, if this is something you would like to do.

How to Find Software Testing Jobs

Posted by on February 12, 2014 No comments

Where

There are several different places you can look for software testing jobs. Many online sites are listing job opportunities, which you can apply for. Some of these services are paid, but there are many free ones as well. Another option would be to contact the companies directly and ask if they have any openings. If you live close to a place like this, then the best way to contact them would probably be to drive over and introduce yourself. Most people who want to work in this field, have a genuine interest in software or games and are updated on upcoming releases and projects that are currently under development. Think about which company you might be interested in working at, go to their website and contact them to inquire about job openings. Where to look for this kind of career also depends on whether you wish to work from home, or physically attend at the company location.

Preparation

Like almost all other jobs out there, you can prepare yourself before making the application. Include a personal note, together with your resume, where you explain why you want to work for just them and express your interest about the job. It’s usually not required to know coding, if this is an entry-job, but some companies take this into account more than others, and it’s certainly a plus. This doesn’t mean learning and mastering all programming languages out there, just getting some basic knowledge about the easier ones. Having this skill can definitely help you stand out among the other job applicants. Obtaining a software testing certificate is also a good idea which makes you more attractive to employers. Another good practice is to do some research on the company before applying, this helps you impress during the interview, and shows that you have a genuine interest in what they are doing.

Resources

Because the job-market is so competitive nowadays, it is always helpful if you know someone that is already working in this field. They might be able to help you getting a foot inside, and from there everything becomes so much easier. Joining forums that discuss software testing jobs can not only help you acquire additional skills, but also make a great place to make connections. There are great opportunities for freelancing in this line of work, many of which can be found online and completed from home. One place for this is crowdsourcedtesting, where you can find beta testing jobs, among others. Finding the companies you would like to work for on twitter and following them, can also provide information when new openings arise. LinkedIn is another place that’s good at getting you into the market.

Get Paid To Play Games Of Skill

Posted by on February 6, 2014 No comments

What is meant by “games of skill”?

In this case, a game where the element of skill, is greater than the element of chance. Remember in school, when there was nothing to do, and you played some browser-based games on the computer, just to pass the time? Or maybe you have tried the same kind of games on your smartphone while waiting for something? Regardless, there are certain types of so called “Skill Games”, that can be played online. Some websites lets you wager real money on this. The process usually looks like this:

– You select a game of your choosing, and the amount of money to bet
– You play the round, and points are matched against another human opponent
– The player with greatest score is rewarded with the prize money

Of course, there is a risk of loosing money as well, but I will try to describe to you here, the strategy which I used to earn about 1000 dollars in a couple of weeks. Then it is up to you to choose if you want to give it a shot, or decide this is not something for you.

How to choose skill gaming website

There are several companies offering this service, which have different benefits and disadvantages. When deciding, some of the aspects that should be considered are games, popularity and rake. Different sites offer alternative games, as well as tournament types. Rake is the percentage of money from a contest that goes to the websites owner, which varies, but is an important factor in order to get paid to play games. Popularity indicates that other people enjoy the site, and makes for faster matches with competition.

How to win

Here is the approach I took to get paid to play games like this. Since there are several different games, which fall into different categories, look through them and try finding the one you are best at. This doesn’t mean the game you think is most fun to play, but that which you have the greatest talent for. Most sites allow for practice rounds, without having to bet money. We are all different, some have quicker reactions, while some do better at strategic thinking. This is why it’s important to find a game that suits your own qualities. Once you made this choice, practice the game a lot, without betting money. The more you practice this way, the better chances you have of winning later on. Use every resource you can find to help learning, search for youtube videos on the game with tips, read forum posts from more experienced players. When you feel comfortable with the skill level achieved through this practice, then it’s time to try real money challenges. If it proves too difficult, go back to practice free rounds again until your score increases further.

How To Get Paid To Play Video Games By Streaming

Posted by on February 6, 2014 No comments

What is game streaming?

Professional gaming is a fast-growing industry. The best players in certain games have become celebrities. Fans are able to watch them play online, through live streams. But streaming is not exclusive to pros, and regular players can have their own channels as well.

How can this produce money?

There are several ways of how to get paid to play video games on your stream. Just like on television, popular streams can show commercial ads. Another way, is to offer viewers the option of subscribing to your channel, which could grant them certain benefits in exchange for cash. Donations made by fans are also common, to support the streamer. Generally, a greater number of viewers creates more income. There are many individuals, making their entire salary through streaming games.

What games are most popular?

Competitive elements attracts viewers. Oftentimes, people are playing the game themselves, and want to improve their skill by watching someone with more experience. The games with most success in this area momentarily, are:

– League of Legends

– Call of Duty

– Hearthstone

– Dota 2

For a list of active channels, check out the twitch directory.

What makes a stream successful?

If you’re still wondering how to get paid to play video games, here are some tips to gain popularity and viewers. One way to obtain a closer connection with the people watching, is by using a camera to interact. Even though the stream might be focused on the game itself, many viewers enjoy being able to see the person who is playing. Think about what you would like to see from someone else, interact and talk with followers, answer their questions. There are several ways to create returning visitors, try to bond with them.

If you do have a lot of skill and experience in the game your playing, it is certainly helpful, but not the only factor. People like watching someone with a unique personality, so don’t try to hide personal traits. That being said, practicing the game in question to get better, is a very good idea. Some streamers do giveaways in order to obtain more viewers. If you want a better understanding about qualities that is beneficial as a streamer, check out some of the big channels over at Twitch. Read their chat and try figuring out what makes them popular with viewers. As a last point, choosing a game with many players opens up more opportunities. Having said that, playing something that you yourself enjoy, often makes it more fun for others to watch as well, and you’ll have a greater time doing it.