Sony opens casting for new PSN reality series

The archetypal Big Brother might have been pronounced dead this year following abysmal ratings, but that hasn't deterred Sony from jumping onto the bandwagon with a reality competition of its own.

The platform holder has announced it is to host its own gaming-focused reality programme called The Tester to be shown on the PlayStation Network later this year.

In it, entrants will go head-to-head in a series of game-themed elimination challenges designed to test "mental toughness, endurance and videogame knowledge", with the winner being awarded a position as a game tester at PlayStation's QA department in San Diego.

To be in with a chance of winning this "dream job", gamers are invited on the US PlayStation blog to complete an online form and submit a short video, with the best being selected to take part in the eight episode series.

This series will be made in conjunction with reality program specialists 51 Minds Entertainment, confirmed Sony, who are credited with inventing the 'celebreality genre' with US programs such as The Surreal Life, Flavor of Love and Rock of Love under its belt.

Scheduled to be distributed through the PlayStation Store this winter, episodes will be purchasable individually or as a whole series with a season pass, and available in high definition.