The Tester, episode 2 – getting better yet?

Episode 2 of The Tester has hit the PlayStation Store. After a lackluster pilot and a rather disappointing thrust for the gaming audience, the reality series described by Sony as a show for gamers has left me asking, “Which part of it is for the gamers?”

Episode 2 of The Tester has hit the PlayStation Store. After a lackluster pilot and a rather disappointing thrust for the gaming audience, the reality series described by Sony as a show for gamers has left me asking, “Which part of it is for the gamers?”

In the words of the NBA 2K10 Insider, “So I saw some things out there, let’s hit the positive first.”

This week’s challenge was certainly more upbeat than the pilot’s. There was more to be seen, more entertainment value worth sitting a few extra minutes for. “Communication Breakdown” had its moments of quality, where more characters had a share of the spotlight, and in turn, gave them a chance at getting some favor from the viewers.

More personality can be seen from the contestants, more particularly from the ones that didn’t get much attention on Day 1. There was more room to see them group together, there was more time to listen to their side of the story – a more positive development that wasn’t there last time. Heck, they’re even brewing an alliance of sorts now.

But as with the first episode, it was all business – to the point that it almost seemed like winning the competition automatically meant a cornerstone in the PlayStation world. The Tester feels so serious – too serious. I understand that they’re looking for a game tester- an employee, a contributor to the games that Sony will be publishing. But once we realize that it’s a reality show meant to entertain, that’s where The Tester begins to fall.

It appears Sony is more focused on identifying the would-be Tester’s skill set rather than keeping the gamer audience interested. Sure, the challenges were set-up to be interesting to watch, but they’re not really setting themselves apart as a gaming reality series. Put simply, it’s just like every reality series we’ve seen. Nothing new, nothing really special, unless you count the fact that the candidates get to play Uncharted 2 while hanging around.

Seriously though, it’s just…boring. The show packaged as a program for gamers ends up as just another reality show, tasks and eliminations and all. The only thing “gamer” about this one is the prize – everything else seems typical of other reality shows, and quite frankly, not worth the time. If you’ve just downloaded the latest Uncharted 2 DLC, by all means, keep playing it. You’re not missing out on anything and you’re much better off in an in-game shootout.

Which part of that show reached out to gamers? They might as well go with the old HR interviews if that’s what they’re really after.