Desperately seeking debugs...

[Stew Shearer]

Okay,

We've discussed this before, but I'd like to restart this conversation.

I'm reaching a point where I've had bigger places interested in giving me work but they can't because I don't debug hardware. Who do I need to talk to about this and how have some of you been successful in acquiring this stuff? I really feel like this is going to be my next biggest roadblock and damn it, I want it cleared! :)

[Nathan Meunier]

I've been in the same position for a while. Basically you need a debug to handle non-feature stuff for most print outlets, since they operate mainly with super early review builds. The problem is it's hard as hell to get one in general, and even harder if you're a freelancer trying to get one. I don't believe Sony gives debugs out to freelancers period. Edelman handles Microsoft PR and will give them out to freelancers, but they're not easily available. If you're lucky, you'll get on "the list," but all that means is you have to keep bugging them every few months until they decide a unit is available. Golin Harris handles Nintendo's PR. It's hit or miss with them.

[Stew Shearer]

Now, I've played debug builds on my regular DS before. Does the PSP work with debug builds or is special hardware needed for that as well?

Also, how much does this stuff cost. I imagine you have to pay for it out your for own pocket.

[Nathan Meunier]

As you noted, programmable rom carts (the big chunky things) work on the DS. I've received early non-retail review/preview UMDs of some titles from PR folk that work on my regular PSP. So yeah, if you can get them sent over to you, they should run normally. With the big push to ditch UMDs and switch right to digital, it should be interesting to see what happens with that.

Since developers can basically buy debug units, I'm sure you could fork over the cash for one, but I doubt they're cheap. Also, the Xbox 360 debug doesn't play retail games, so it's pretty worthless otherwise. The debug PS3 does play both, I've been told, but getting one from Sony requires some kind of voodoo that only works if you are a gaming publication. Not sure about the Wii. That's about the extent of my limited debug knowledge.

[Pat 'iTZKooPA' Mulhern]

I know that PS3 dev kits are stupidly expensive - at least for developers to buy. Wii dev kits do exists, saw one during this year's E3, but I have no idea on the pricing there. I've heard through a third party that 360 kits are the easiest to come by as well, but have never had any luck.

Didn't know that the handhelds could play development editions, but I guess that makes sense.

[Stew Shearer]

I just spoke with an editor at GamesRadar about this and he said that getting a PS3 debug as a freelancer is basically impossible. Microsoft is slightly easier and Nintendo as he put it, is "insane." I have some work ahead of me I think...

[Nathan Meunier]

Yup. I haven't even bothered with a PS3 debug, as I've heard the same from other editors. I've been on the Microsoft debug list for a while and a unit is still "unavailable." I'm on Nintendo's list as well. It's a horrible waiting game. Every month that passes is another month of missed gigs for various outlets, due to the lack of the crummy things. I can understand the publishers being selective about giving the debugs out to just anybody, but it shouldn't be so difficult for legit writers to get their hands on the darn things.

[Ian Royston Westrip]

I just woke up so didn't read anyone's replies and am therefor unaware if anyone's said it yet but the bigger places (usually ones you've worked for for a long period of time) will send you the debug hardware ie. You work for IGN for 2 years, the next incarnation of the PS is released and they want you to flagship the reviews for it, they'll send you a shiny big black box that says PS TEST and is a piece of bastard poo to use. You can find the PS models (and xbox or any other debug consoles for that matter) for sale from time to time but this is highly illegal and the sale usually gets binned by Sony if it's through ebay or some other registered site. Also there are no PS3 debug units left, anywhere that aren't accounted for, so the only way to get one would probably be illegitmately I'm afraid...

[Stew Shearer]

Hmm, none of this is sounding good. I'm going to give all three a call tomorrow, just for the hell of it (you never know right) but it looks like I'll be waiting for a bit.

We'll see.

[Brendon Lindsey]

Yeah, good luck, but it's almost assuredly going to end with you being told "We'll put you on a list and keep you updated on how it goes."

It's hard to get them, period. It's especially hard for freelancers. Unless you're close with the PR folks handling "the lists," you'll just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best.

[Pat 'iTZKooPA' Mulhern]

Since this thread re-took-off I've had three games offered to me by PR folks, but I needed a debug kit to be able to play them. Had to turn each of them down :(. I need to figure out how to move up that list!

[Greg Wilcox]

It stinks royally, but there's really no "figuring out" here. Unless you know someone with a debug unit that won't mind you dropping by with code (which can indeed happen when you meet folks through networking) or you can wait 'til MS decides to let you borrow a loaner unit, it's pretty much "hurry up and wait" in terms of getting one.

A few years back, I actually filled out paperwork twice for a 360 debug, got put on a list and then the site I was writing for at the time went under. About a week or two later, i got approved for a loaner, but ha ha (BANG! thud) - that was that. It's like getting tickets to Letterman. You get one shot, you don't know when the tickets will show up 'til they tell you, and it's always a crazy random date.If you can't make it... well, it's back of the line again and no soup for you...

As far as Sony goes, I got a loaner PSP unit on two occasions when the thing first came out - had to send both back in something like two weeks or a month (I forget). The corker for me is certain celebrity types get debug units or access to debugs just by showing up and getting their asses kissed by all three companies and they don't write about games (or in some cases, play them much) at all...

Yes, i just said we're all more important than some asshat actor or actress that probably doesn't give a crap about a lowly games journo needing that debug access more than he or she does. And I'm right... XD

[Ben Kuchera]

I feel like I'm on a roll with commenting tonight, so I'm going to keep rolling.

Frankly, there is no reason for any of the big three to give freelance writers debug hardware. They do have a limited supply, and what do they get for sending you the hardware? If you don't get the job, someone else will. The game they are pushing will get coverage one way or the other. They are deaf to your plight.

There is only one thing they ask when they look at who to send debug hardware to: what is in it for me? Do you really think if you don't get the job because of a lack of the hardware the game won't get coverage? Of course not. So they have no reason to send it to you.

I have a debug PS3 and Xbox 360, and it has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with the fact that without the hardware, Ars Technica as a site would do fewer previews and reviews on that platform. If they didn't send the hardware to me, the companies would honestly lose out on coverage. We have a sizable audience, and they care about that audience enough to give up the hardware, because in this case without it, they could lose mindshare. My footwork has a little something to do with it, but if I lost my job tomorrow my replacement would get the systems. They care about the coverage and the outlet, not the writer.

Unless you can position yourself in such a way that Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo could possibly lose something by not giving you the hardware, there is no reason for them to do so. How do you get in that position? There's the big question.