Game Testing is a Serious Job
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Game Testing is a Serious Job
Some people may think that among the jobs in video gaming industry, a video game tester is not really serious, professional work.
While game programmers and developers may get all the kicks, a tester of the games also have their own set of standards to follow and obligations to fulfill – making it a “real” job in spite of all those thrilling and pleasurable aspects of the work.
Yes, testers have an on-hand gaming experience, and playing the games can be considered as pleasurable. Although this is so, there are still a lot of things that you may not know of that makes this gaming profession also a working gig where lots of things are gained out of the experience.
To be more specific, here are some points to learn about what a video game tester gains out of testing the free copies of the games:
* Testers are Required to Know the Games They Check.
It’s not all fun and games for this type of work. There are levels to master, glitches to know of, and debugging to understand.
Since the game is a new one, the tester has to test-drive the games until the start to the final playing level to learn what can be improved, or what to retain, among its gaming components, running abilities, and other real-time gaming attributes.
Testers can’t only say that there were some problems in the game. They have to note that down, and also remember what types of problems were experienced and where in the game did those glitches or bugs were. An overall comment of “There are a few glitches or bugs,” is not an impressive report of the game. Since the company would be paying the tester for this type of work, a more informative and specific information is expected from the game tester.
* Video Game Testers Earn Their Keep.
Although there are unpaid positions for this gaming gig, there are companies that also pay their testers for the information that they need to gather from the playtime of the game testers.
This is just like getting a survey for a particular product where product enhancements or further developments would be done after learning the survey’s results. But, unlike surveys, the gaming arena keeps everything hidden from the public eye to get the vital information about a particular game. Not everyone gets to test-drive the games. It’s only the video game tester and the video game for the initial checking. And this manner of playing is duly paid for by the company seeking for the feedback.
* A Hands-On Experience of Working with a Reliable Company.
Although, normally, this work is home-based for most testers, a corporate environment and business correspondence are still maintained. The various departments that are tasked to deal with the information that will be gathered by a tester work hand in hand with the game tester. All aspects of the business are involved. And the video tester learns more of the game’s manufacture, development, and other things.
Jobs in video gaming industry are “real” jobs where experience, interest, and open-mindedness to learn more things about the work are important. Such is also true for a video game tester playing the games before anyone else.
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January 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
nice article, i was actualy thinking about getting into a game tester job when i read this.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Once again I have found a good post of yours
January 20th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I found this site to be very helpful!
I have looked into testing games as a full time job in the past. Every time I find a website that has lots of information and/or the right connections, it seems like there is little they have to offer me. I usually reach a certain point (after of course inputting hours of information) in which they ask for credit card numbers so that they may “do me the favor of sending me an information packet to get started!”. It seems odd that I am asked to pay money for employment.
I have played a countless number of games, everything from duck hunt to Warcraft 3. I have played and mastered every Final Fantasy released. I am open to test/critique/review any type of game that comes my way, but I am most experienced in RPGs (Final Fantasy, Lunar series, anything SquareEnix, Star Ocean series etc.) and Strategy RPG (FF Tactics, anything Nippon Ichi, Tactics Ogre, Ogre Battle, Warcraft 3, Starcraft, etc).
I am skilled with a computer, and because of my gaming experience I would be able to test just about anything. I’m not assuming that there is a job waiting for me, I’m just looking for a contact that will not waste my time and end up trying to sell me on their product.
If you know of any company/offers, I would love any feedback at all! Thanks so much, I look forward to hearing from you.
A Potential Tester,
Derek
March 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I found your site via Google while searching for cheat game video and your post regarding Game Testing is a Serious Job looks very interesting to me.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hi,
probably the best way to get a job testing video games is to seek out companies that make video games. This can be a very difficult process as many companies only like to hire people within the area, so most people may be out of luck. There are however ways around this, check out this article and see for yourself…
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Great article, yes, I do believe it is quite hard to land a job in the gaming industry. You’ve got to be a savvy gamer as well as have some sort of educational background for it. You can find out more how I landed a part-time job beta testing games at my blog
July 7th, 2008 at 11:17 am
ok the article is good but i need to get started, fast food is not a job I’m OK with and i’m not working at a onion factory (i hate onions!) help me find a way into the gaming industry please!
July 21st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Quality Assurance Testers are not only a great way to get your foot in the door in the gaming industry, but it really does give you more of a “drop-kick THROUGH the door.” Most people don’t realize it when they start these jobs, but it’s the truth.
I’ve worked previously for numerous game projects in QA for Electronic Arts in Redwood Shores, and ironically, I work for a company now that hires these QA testers every single week for companies like Sony Computer Entertainment of America in Foster City.
Those who would like to become game testers or have any questions regarding the field can email me at ralmeda@nelsonstaffing.com. I will be more than happy to point you in the right direction… or heck… give you an interview for a QA Testing job.
Thanks,
Ray Almeda