How to Become a Video Game Tester in 2023?

Video games are fun. They make us feel powerful. They allow us to escape from our daily lives. But most importantly, they teach us valuable lessons.

In this article, we will learn how to become a video gaming tester. We will also see why being a video game tester is a great career choice.

We will cover everything from how to get started as a video game tester to how to find jobs as a video game tester. This includes information on how to prepare yourself for the job search, how to write a resume, and even how to network with recruiters.

I hope you enjoy this article and find it useful.

What do video game testers do?

The role of a video game tester is one of the most important roles in the development process. These people help ensure that the game works properly without having to wait for it to come out. A video game tester needs to check whether the game runs correctly on different platforms and systems. He/she checks how well the controls work, and makes sure that the game doesn’t crash. A good tester must be able to identify issues quickly and provide feedback to the game development team about what changes need to be made

Benefits of Game Testing as a Career.

Game testing is one of the most popular careers among young people today. In fact, it is one of the fastest-growing fields in the gaming industry. There are many different types of jobs within game testing, including creative game tester, technical game tester, QA analyst, and producer. If you want to work in the field, there are several ways to do so. You could start out as a game tester intern and eventually move up into a full-time position. Or, you could begin working as a freelance game tester.

The benefits of game testing include flexibility, creativity, and independence. Most of the work involves playing video games and evaluating whether they meet certain standards. A good test requires a lot of patience, attention to detail, and creativity. As a game tester, you can develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. These attributes help prepare you for a variety of roles. For example, you might end up becoming a developer or designer.

Game Testing Process Explained.

The process of testing a video game begins once the game developers complete the design and programming stages of development. At this stage, the game is still being built and it is very important to ensure that everything works properly. During this period, the game tester plays the game to make sure that there aren't any issues or errors within the code. This is done by following a specific set of steps to avoid any problems later on.

The first step is to play the game using various devices and operating systems. Once the tester has completed his/her tests, he/she sends them back to the developers who then analyze the results. Based on these findings, the developers decide if the game should be released or not. If the game passes all of its quality assurance (QA) tests, it is ready to be sent to market. However, some games may require additional testing before they are released. This is where the game tester comes in. They perform their own independent tests to ensure that the game meets the required standard.

Steps to Become a Video Game Tester.

Anyone with a passion for games could become a game tester, but it takes some preparation. First, you need to know what type of experience you want to obtain. If you prefer working with PC games, then you need to learn how to test those types of products. On the other hand, if you are interested in mobile gaming, then you need to focus on the different platforms and devices. The next thing you will have to do is find an internship or job at a company that develops video games. After completing your training, you can apply for positions at a game development company.

There are many game companies that offer opportunities for aspiring game testers. Some of the best-known ones include:

1. Ubisoft – This is one of the largest video game publishers in the world. It offers a wide range of titles from casual to hardcore games.

2. Electronic Arts – EA is another large publisher that produces both console and PC games. Its portfolio includes sports, action, strategy, role-playing, and racing games.

3. Activision Blizzard – This video game company is famous for producing Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, and more.

4. Microsoft Studios – MS Studios is responsible for creating Xbox One, Windows 10, and Kinect.

5. Nintendo – Nintendo is well-known for developing consoles like Wii U, 3DS, and Switch.

6. Sony Computer Entertainment – SCE is responsible for PlayStation 2, PS4, and PS Vita.

7. Square Enix – Square Enix is a Japanese video game developer that specializes in RPGs and adventure games.

You can also start learning about the video game industry. This includes knowing the history of the video game market and the technologies used to develop games. You should also study the different genres of games, such as action-adventure, puzzle, sports, strategy, etc.

Next, you need to build up your skills. There are many online games resources that offer free courses on how to become a game tester or how to improve your current skill set. For example, there are several sites that provide free training videos on how to use certain software programs. In addition, there are plenty of forums where you can ask questions and find help.

Finally, get certified in video game testing. There are several ways to get certified as a game tester, including through online courses, trade schools, and community colleges. The International Game Testing Association (IGTA) has three levels of certification: Certified Tester, Professional Tester, and Master Tester. Each level requires passing exams and earning credits.

The Average Game Tester Salaries.

The average salary for a game test engineer in the United States is $14.13 an hour, according to Glassdoor.com. This figure includes both hourly rates and bonuses, and it varies depending on the type of job. For example, testers working for mobile app gaming companies earn about $20 an hour, while those employed by video game developers make around $30.

Where you live can also be another factor in determining what you make. In some states, such as California, New York and Washington, D.C., there is a minimum wage for workers under 18 years old, and many employers pay above the federal minimum. However, in most states, including Texas, Florida, and Georgia, the minimum wage is lower than the national average.

You should also take into consideration the type of job you’re applying for. If you want to work full-time, you might find yourself earning less than someone who works part-time. And if you’re looking for freelance work, you could end up making more money than someone who works for a large corporation.

Play Video Games.

Most game testers start out as gamers themselves. They are usually passionate about gaming and spend hundreds of hours playing games. This passion allows them to understand how to play games well and find bugs in games. Game testers learn about game mechanics, game design, and what makes a good video game from spending hours playing video games.

Since the job entails playing video games for long stretches of time, often rewinding game levels to look for problems, it helps to like playing video games. In fact, some companies even require that applicants have experience with certain types of games.

Get a College Degree in Video Game Design or a Related Field.

While you don’t need a college degree to become a game tester, it does provide some advantages over people without degrees. If you have a college education, you'll likely start out working in the industry as a tester. But there are many different ways to break into the gaming industry, including starting out as a developer, producer, designer, or art director. Having a degree could help you land a position earlier in your career.

A degree could also help you progress within the industry from testing to game design, where you'd work directly with developers creating games. You could even move up to production, where you'd oversee the creation of a game and manage teams of game artists, animators, programmers, sound designers, and others.

The best way to prepare for a career in the gaming industry is to study something that will benefit you throughout your life. For example, a degree in computer animation, interactive game design, or computer science could help you understand how graphics work and how games are designed. These skills could come in handy later in your career, whether you're designing a game yourself or helping someone else do it.

Work in Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of ensuring that a product meets certain standards of quality. This includes things like making sure that the software works correctly, and checking whether it does what it says it does. Quality assurance teams test games for bugs, glitches, and errors. They ensure that the game functions properly and that there aren't any major problems with it.

In addition to testing the game itself, QA testers also look out for issues such as performance bottlenecks, crashes, and visual glitches. They do this by running tests against the game while simulating real-world conditions. For example, they might run the game on several different computers, or on multiple platforms. In some cases, they even play the game themselves.

As part of their job, QA testers make sure that the game runs smoothly and without crashing. They often use tools called bots to automate repetitive tasks, such as searching for specific objects or patterns within the game. Bots can also help QA testers spot bugs and glitches.

Video Game Tester Jobs

The demand for quality control of video games is huge. In fact, there are over one million people working in quality assurance testing worldwide. These professionals work in different fields, including software development, hardware engineering, and marketing. They test everything from mobile apps to computer programs to toys.

Quality control testers repeatedly test products before they go on sale. This includes checking for flaws and suggesting improvements to the products they're testing. Testers often use specialized tools to make sure a product works correctly. Some tests involve playing games while others involve watching videos or reading manuals.

Game testers are employed by companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Valve Software, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros., 2K Games, Rockstar Games, Epic Games, Mojang AB, Paradox Development Studio, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Sega, Konami, Square Enix, Koei Tecmo, Naughty Dog, EA Sports, EA Tiburon, Ubisoft Montreal, Eidos Montréal, Bioware, Obsidian Entertainment, Gearbox Publishing, Telltale Games, Focus Home Interactive, Atlus USA, Devolver Digital, Koch Media, THQ Nordic, Deep Silver, 505 Games, Bigben Interactive, Paradox Interactive, Starbreeze Studios, Glu Mobile, SEGA, XSEED Games, Annapurna Interactive, Team17, Zen Studios, Perfect World Entertainment, Gameforge, FreeStyleGames, Crytek, Auroch Digital, and many others.

Video Game Tester Job Openings

According to Statista, there will be more than 10,000 new video games released globally in 2021. This growth in popularity has led to a growing number of people looking for ways to make money while playing video games. In fact, according to Game Developer Magazine, there are now more than 50 million full-time employees working in the gaming industry worldwide.

As a result, the demand of video game testers is on an upward trend. However, it can be difficult to break into the market without previous experience. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities out there for those willing to put in the effort.

One of the best places to begin is LinkedIn. Many companies use this social media site to connect with potential candidates. If you know what type of position you want, take some time to build up a strong personal brand. You never know where networking might lead.

By utilizing job-hunting techniques specific to your desired career path, you can increase your chances of making connections within the gaming industry. For example, if you are interested in testing mobile apps, you could join relevant groups such as App Testing Jobs, Mobile App Testing Jobs, Android Apps Testing Jobs, iOS Apps Testing Jobs, etc. Then, reach out to members via email or LinkedIn.

Another option is to become a freelancer. There are many sites like Upwork and Freelance.com that allow independent professionals to bid on projects. Simply list your skills and experience, and let clients decide whether you are worth hiring.

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn account, it’s easy to set one up. Just go to www.linkedin.com/signup and follow the prompts. Once you have created your account, you can update your professional image, add contact information, and upload your resume.

Tips on becoming a video game tester

Video game testing jobs isn't always about playing games. There are many roles within the industry, including quality assurance testers, QA, where you test games to ensure they meet standards. Other positions include product development, marketing, customer support and even sales.

Developing your technical writing skills will help you succeed in this field. You'll learn how to write a nuanced error report, which demonstrates that you're able to clearly articulate what went wrong and why it happened. This skill set will make you stand out among applicants.

Certification programs exist to help you develop your skills further. For example, GameTestersAcademy offers certifications in both Quality Assurance and Testing Management. These courses provide a foundation in the areas most important to success in the industry.

If you're interested in a career as a video gamer tester, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself. First, develop your technical writing skills. Game developers aren't just looking to hire someone who loves to play video games. They're looking for people who know how to read documentation, understand code and can explain what they've done in a way others can follow. Next, take a look at the job listings. You'll see positions that require certification, but many don't specify what type. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about different types of certifications. Finally, build up a portfolio of your work. Include examples of the kinds of bugs you found and the solutions you used to fix them. This will help you stand out among applicants.

The game industry is one of the most competitive industries out there. With thousands of games being developed every year, it’s no wonder why some people are still struggling to find jobs. While many companies offer training programs to learn how to become a tester, others prefer hiring those who already have experience. In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes a successful game tester.

Critical Thinking Skills

Game testers don’t just play video games; they test them. This requires critical thinking skills. When playing a game, you need to analyze whether the controls are responsive enough, whether the graphics are clear enough, and whether the gameplay is fun enough. You also need to make sure that everything works properly. If something doesn’t, you need to report it immediately.

Communication Skills

You have to talk to developers about issues you encounter while playing a game. If you can do this without getting angry or frustrated, you’re doing great. However, sometimes things go wrong during development. For example, you might discover that the developer forgot to include certain features. Or maybe the feature you want isn’t working correctly. Either way, you need to explain what happened to the developer.

Problem Solving Skills

If you’ve been playing a game for hours, chances are that you’ll notice problems along the way. For instance, you might run into bugs that prevent you from progressing further in the game. Sometimes, you might even crash the game. These kinds of errors require problem-solving skills. You need to figure out what went wrong, fix it, and move on.

 Gain Technical Knowledge

The American Society for Quality (ASQ®) recently announced that it has approved the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 quality management system standard for use by ASTQB certified organizations. This accreditation demonstrates that the organization has met certain requirements set forth by ISO 9001:2008.

According to ASQ, "ASTQB certifies individuals and companies that demonstrate expertise in quality management systems." In addition, ASQ says that "certification provides assurance that the individual or firm meets specific criteria related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and improvement of a quality management system."

This certification is important because it allows those who hold it to show employers that they are knowledgeable about quality management systems. This could lead to better paychecks and promotions.

"A quality manager must understand how to implement and maintain a quality management system," explains ASQ President and CEO Paul Daugherty. "Certified people know how to do this and therefore earn more money."

In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 4 million quality managers employed in the United States today. And the BLS expects employment growth to continue over the next decade.

So, if you're looking for a career change, consider getting certified. You'll learn something new and potentially make more money while doing it.

Participate in Public Beta Testing

There are many ways to test a game. You can play it yourself, you can ask friends and family to try it out, you can post about it on social media, you can give feedback to developers directly, etc. These methods work well for some types of testing, but there are times when you want to see what players think about a game without being able to influence how it works. This is where public beta testing comes in.

Public betas allow anyone to download a copy of the game and play it online. They don't require registration, and they're not limited to just one platform. Because they involve real people playing the game, they offer a great way to find out what problems players encounter while trying to enjoy the game. 

Develop Game Testing Skills

Games are developed over 5 years, and companies want testers with focus and attentiveness to detail. But what do they really mean? What does it take to become a great game tester? And how can we develop our testing skills further? Let’s explore some of the most common misconceptions around game development and testing.

What makes a good tester?

Testers are often confused with developers, but there are many differences between the two roles. Developers build the actual product, while testers test the quality of the product. In addition to being responsible for finding bugs, testers are usually expected to provide feedback on design decisions, such as usability issues, performance problems, and general gameplay mechanics.

Testers are required to be creative and innovative because they work outside of the box. Their job requires them to think like the players and come up with ideas on how to make the experience better. While developers tend to stick to the same process every time, testers are constantly looking for ways to improve the overall experience.

How long does it take to become an expert game tester?

Developers spend 10+ years working on one project. However, it takes much less time to become a competent game tester. Most people start out with just a few months of training and learn along the way. Some even go straight into testing without having worked on any projects.

The key to becoming a great game tester is to keep learning. You don't necessarily need experience with coding or graphics programming; however, you should know enough about those topics to understand why certain things happen. If you don't know something, look it up online.

Build a Good Resume

The job market is tough out there. Do you know what else is tough? Building a good resume. And we're here to help. We've put together some tips on how to make yours stand out.

1. Tailor Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is like a sales pitch for your resume. Use it to sell yourself as much as possible. Include information about why you want the job, what makes you qualified, and how you'll fit into the Game development team.

2. Keep It Short

You don't need to write a novel. A short cover letter gives employers a chance to see whether you're worth hiring without having to read your entire resume. If you do use long paragraphs, break up the text with bullet points and subheadings.

3. Add Keywords

If you're applying for jobs related to technology, add "software engineer," "programmer," or "web developer." For positions in marketing, try "marketing manager," "digital marketing director," or "social media strategist."

Look for a Full-Time Position

There are many different types of game testing positions available in the video game industry. Some companies offer permanent employment while others hire contractors. If you want to work for a large company, it pays to look for a position that offers benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation days, and retirement plans. You might even find yourself working for a larger company that offers training programs and mentorship.

If you want to gain experience, consider taking part-time jobs. These positions often pay less money, but you'll learn how to manage projects, communicate effectively, and build relationships within the industry. In addition, some companies offer internships where you can gain hands-on experience without making a long-term commitment.

Other Careers Related to Video Game Testing Jobs

There are many careers related to video games. Some people work directly in the development process while others test the finished product. In either case, it takes skills to do well. Here are some of the most common career paths that involve working in the gaming industry. You don't necessarily need to go into one of these fields to play video games; however, having knowledge about how things work behind the scenes can make finding a job easier.

Computer Scientist - This field requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or information technology. Many companies hire computer scientists because they want to develop better ways to use computers. They often focus on applications such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Game Designer - If you enjoy creating games, you might consider becoming a game designer. These professionals design video games based on existing intellectual property like board games or novels. They usually start out as artists and designers and eventually become producers. Most game developers are employed by large game studios where they collaborate with programmers, animators, and other creative professionals.

Gameplay Tester - Gameplay testers look for bugs in video games. They often find problems during the beta phase of development. They report issues to the game development team and sometimes provide feedback on fixes. They may also perform usability tests to ensure that players understand the controls and interface.

Quality Assurance Analyst - Quality assurance analysts verify that products meet quality standards. They check whether a product meets specifications and works properly. They may also conduct audits to determine whether a product complies with regulations.

Software Engineer - Software engineers write code that helps computers function. They typically program in languages like Java, Python, and C++. Companies hire software engineers because they need someone who can build efficient programs that solve complex problems.

Video Game Producer - Producing video games involves planning, organizing, directing, writing scripts, recording audio, and editing footage. Producers oversee the entire production process and manage teams of writers, directors, editors, musicians, and actors.

Conclusion

The number of people who work in the gaming industry is growing. This trend is due to the fact that there are now more people looking for jobs in the field. There are many different types of jobs available, including tester, developer, producer, artist, writer, designer, etc.