What is a Game Tester?

Among all the jobs a gamer could have or apply for, being a paid video game tester ranks top on the list. There's nothing quite like being able to sit down, pop in a great game & play for hours on end, and then collect a nice fat check when it's all over. This is what being a video game tester is all about.

A paid game tester, also known as a beta game tester, is someone whom is charged with thoroughly testing a video game before it is finally realized to it's mass audience. This individual gets a nearly completed version of the game (be it for an XBOX 360, Playstation 3, PC, or other gaming console) and he/she must then play & identify any bugs and/or glitches that are apparent in the game.

Without reliable testers to fully test video games, game-breaking bugs and glitches would run rampant and destroy the credibility of most newly released games -- thereby shattering the gaming industry itself!

Real, honest paid video game testing isn't as "wondrously" fun as many people think it is. It can be fun, yes, but it won't be that easy "make money from playing games" experience that you'd thought it be. Not only is there REAL work involved in being a video game tester, the job actually requires a few skills OTHER than just hardcore gaming.
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What is a Game tester's Role?

The video games industry is a multi billion dollar per year industry. If a game is released with bugs, glitches, and errors, it will cost the game publisher money. Bad reviews in gaming magazines and negative comments on internet gaming websites and forums will result in a huge loss of sales for a games publisher. The Video game tester, more commonly known as the QA tester (QA = quality assurance) is employed to find these bugs, glitches and problems before the game is released so that they can be fixed by the programmers. This ensures that the final game released to the public is polished, playable, and gets good reviews and feedback. Good reviews and feedback = more profit for the games publisher. Video game testers are the last line of defence against bugs and glitches.

Unfortunately, games publishers are not going to pay you money to just play the games the way you play them during your leisure time. You will be working on a particular project with set parameters, where you will be testing very specific areas of a particular game. This is where the video game tester, or QA tester, earns his money. You will be in essence, attempting to “break” the game.



examples of projects are testing a track in a racing game, driving round it in different directions, at different speeds, crashing into the boundaries, and generally trying to wreak havoc and find something that wasn’t supposed to be there.
Other things you will be looking out for when testing a game are that all the levels load correctly, in game items weapons and objects work as they should, and weather effects and game graphics are displayed correctly. You will have to keep your eyes open to spot anything out of the ordinary or problematic that may negatively affect the customers gaming experience.

Once a bug has been found, the video game tester will have to complete a short report on the bug, including details of how it was located, and how often it occurs. Each bug is classified according to its seriousness – how negatively it affects the gaming experience. Games crashing and freezing is the most serious category of bug

The database of reports is consulted by the programmers again, bugs are fixed, and the game is then retested. The process continues to repeat until no more major bugs are found and the game is deemed worthy for release.

Gaming Facts:

>>Many people think that the life of a game tester is just about chilling out in front of the TV playing your favorite game. You will not be playing the game in the same way when testing it, as you would when playing for leisure at home. Instead of going through the game naturally, you will have to repetitively play certain areas of the game for many hours. You will also have to be taking notes, and regularly filling out reports.

>>Piracy is a growing problem in the video games industry. You will rarely be allowed valuable copies of games in case you leaked them. Only QA testing supervisors can sign out games. In many cases, to be a video game tester, you will still have to go into the office to carry out your work. It’s unusual to work from home – although you can pick up gigs where this happens. If you are serious about entering the industry, then be prepared to work in the office.



>>To become a video game tester you will need to have a particular set of skills, including good levels of concentration, an analytical mind, a good eye for details, and good report writing skills. You will need to be able to communicate with others, and conduct yourself professionally. You do not need any formal qualifications, but you do need to have a passion for games and the ability to motivate yourself and apply yourself.

>>Unfortunately, as a lowly QA tester, you will be on a relatively mediocre wage, perhaps in the $15 per hour region depending on experience and the employer. To earn more, you will have to work your way up.

Example Of A Video Game Testers Wanted Advert

Job Description
- Game testing and proof-reading
- Identifying and reporting linguistic errors and game defects
- General tasks related to the quality assurance (QA) process

Skills Required
- Excellent native-level English with a keen eye for mistakes
- Good communication skills



Pluses
- Knowledge of MMORPG (world of warcraft in particular)
- Knowledge of role-playing and console games

Rate of Pay: $12 per hour + overtime

Contract type: Project-based (flexible duration, full- or part-time)

Starting Date: Beginning of June

Position based in: Los Angeles, USA

What countries are video game tester jobs available in?

Mainly in USA, UK, Canada and Australia. But there are many jobs available throughout Europe and some in the rest of the world. I was actually surprised at how many jobs there where all over the world, although there are more in the USA.

More game openings have started in India and around Asia.



FOLLOWING ARE THE LINKS TO GAMING SITES (For job offers)

SITES THAT ARE FREE TO JOIN

>> 4 GAMERS
>> GAME TESTERS
>> TESTING GROUNDS
>> INDIAN GAME TESTING SITE

SITES THAT CHARGE MEMBERSHIP FEES

>> GAME TESTER GURU
>> GAMING ONLINE
>> BE A GAME TESTER

Is it possible to make a career of video game testing?

Yes! There are many opportunities for development and progression open to you. Most people move on to games design and senior testing roles.

There are many jobs that require for a gamer expertise and can take them to the next level.

I can’t find a job, what am I doing wrong?

Have you checked your resume? It’s important to spend the time building a really good professional looking resume that demonstrates you have the necessary skills to be a video game tester. Also remember that you can’t expect to find a job straight away, keep searching and keep applying, and something will come through eventually. There are no magic quick fixes. However, the main thing companies will be looking for is a passion for gaming.

Is it Hard to Get Started?

It can be, yes; especially if you don't know where or how to begin the process. But as most video game testers will agree, it's worth all the effort & more. You can't give up just because things aren't as easy as you wanted them to be.

Is Advanced Training Required for This Career?

No. A video game tester does not have to be college educated nor must he have advanced training in video game design. If you possess the necessary skills -- you play video games a lot, have a good attention to detail, and can write well enough -- you can start almost immediately.