Video game tester seems to be a dream job for many people, especially for those who have grown up being immersed in the video entertainment medium. The job role not only allows you to indulge in hours of fun but also earn an income.
By becoming a game tester, you will gain access to the latest pre-released games. This is a great career for those who love playing video games.
The video game industry is growing, and a report by Statista found that the industry will be worth $138 billion by 2021. The image below shows the growth of the industry.
The job of game testers is tied to the demand for video games. High demand for the games means that the demand for game testers will rise in the coming years.
In this blog post, you will learn what exactly a video game tester job is. In addition, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding the role of a game tester and how to successfully apply for this job. Lastly, we will review some of the best game testing jobs that are available right now which you can apply for in the US.
Video Game Tester: An Introduction
In a way, video game testers are quality control experts.
Game testers play video games for hours on end and report bugs to the game developers. They test the user experience to ensure that games are interactive and fun for the players. You need to find glitches and problems in the games that could result in a negative gaming experience.
The main responsibility of a tester is to ensure that every aspect of the game performs according to plan. They need to make sure that the game contains, ideally, no errors before the final release.
You can watch this video to know more about the game tester job option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Video Game Tester
Q #1) What is required to apply for game tester jobs?
Answer: The actual requirements for the game tester jobs vary. You can get into this field without a college degree. A survey carried out by Game Developer Magazine had found that game testers with a GED or high school diploma generally make more when compared to those with a formal degree.
However, some game developing companies require a degree or a certificate in the computer field. Some companies also prefer candidates with a certification in quality control or game development.
Q #2) What do game testers actually do?
Answer: Game testers are required to play video games for hours with little breaks. During the end of the development time, testers may be required to play the game for 24 hours to check for any problems before the release.
Companies may also ask testers to do certain repetitive tasks to test the performance of the game.
For instance, they may be required to switch the game on and off a hundred times to know the average time it takes to load a game. They may also be required to carry on multi-tasking such as downloading games or movies or chatting with others while playing games.
The testers may also be required to play one level multiple times to detect bugs in the game. These tasks are usually performed by entry-level game testers.
Q #3) How much money does a video game tester make?
Answer: The salary of game testers vary from one company to another. The basic salary of a beginner game testers is around $37,522 per year. Experienced game testers with four to five years of experience make up to $45,769 per year.
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Game testers also receive benefits such as retirement, medical & dental plans, and annual bonuses. The additional benefits are above and beyond the basic salary given to the game testers.
Q #4) What skills are required to become a game tester?
Answer: Game testers need keen observation to detect problems in the game. They should also be able to clearly communicate the problems to the website designers. Other things that are required to become a good tester include patience, persistence, stamina, and above all passion for video games.
Q #5) Is video game testing a good long term career?
Answer: Most game testing jobs are contract jobs with little long-term security. However, experience in game testing can open the doors to other lucrative careers such as video game developers and graphic designers.
Q #6) Do video game testers have to play games in-house or remotely?
Answer: Most gaming companies require game testers to work in-house. This allows them to meet the developers face-to-face to identify issues.
However, an increasing number of companies now allow remote game testing. Testers play games at home and share notes with the developers through video conferencing.
Q #7) Can a game tester tell his/her friends about the details of a game that is not released to the public?
Answer: You are not allowed to talk to anyone about a game that you are testing. Companies generally force game testers to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the entire game development team. Violating the terms of the agreement will result in a fine or a lawsuit.
Q #8) Do you need to buy systems for testing games or the company provides the required hardware?
Answer: Game testers are not required to buy their own equipment. The game developing company will provide everything that is required to test games. You will be provided a game development kit and the gaming system to test the game.
The game development kit is a special version of the game that allows the game developers to debug and identify issues in a game. The kits are usually provided to the game development team even before the games are announced to the public. So, only the persons associated with the development of the game have access to the kit.
