If you spent most of your free time with your game console, checking out the latest games and graphic advances on the video game market, then you may want to consider a career as a video game tester. You will have to work hard, gaining experience by playing a variety of games, but the benefits will allow you to get paid for doing what you love. Continue reading and find out more about how to become a video game tester.
4 Main Tasks of a Video Game Tester
This video examines the 4 main tasks required of a video game tester, including testing the games thoroughly, testing the games limitations, making sure the game can be beaten and testing the game against its ability to operate on different systems. Testing games thoroughly includes making sure all the weapons work, and that there are no glitches in animals, vehicles, objects, backgrounds, etc. Figuring out different ways to beat the game goes hand in hand with testing the games limitations, being able to anticipate all the different ways a potential player will try to win the game and making sure the game can handle these various methods. Finally, the video discusses the need to test the game against its ability to work across the board on various systems. For computer games, this means making sure it will work on computers with different video cards, amounts of memory, etc.
Introduction
Do you spend your free time in front of the television screen, battling animated people, monsters and machines, all in an effort to advance to the next level, beat the game or surpass your best friend's score? Do you spend all your extra money on video games? Do you get exhausting lectures or pleas from your parents, spouse or significant other accusing you of loving your games more than anything or anyone else? If so, chances are you are a gamer and would be the perfect candidate for testing the latest advances in the industry, not to mention getting paid for doing what you love. Read on to learn more on how to become a video game tester.
Step 1: Understand Your Role
- The role of a video game tester is an essential part of making the gaming industry a success. The industry needs people that have an aptitude for catching glitches in the programming, people that have a keen understanding of the way games work, and who are especially aware of the minute details that comprise the animated world. These are the people that analyze the game before it goes into the final phase of production, so it is the company's last chance to eliminate all the flaws. The role of a tester is as follows:
- Determine how well the game plays
- Check for bugs or glitches in the game
- Analyze the details of the game
- Ensure that the criteria initially specified for each game is met
- Share an overall assessment or your thoughts on the game
Step 2: Experience
- In the world of gaming, experience is key. The industry is massive, and its growth staggering. It has even surpassed going to the movies as the preferred form of entertainment. As such, the desire to work in the field is a competitive one. Even with the need for new hires, there are just as many people seeking employment in the industry. When you consider that your competition will include teenagers as young as 14 years old, you will have a better idea of the type of job market you are trying to enter. On the flip side, if you are young and in need of some hefty cash, you are actually eligible. You don't even need to have a driver's license!
- The first step to becoming a video game tester is to become an expert in video games, so-to-speak. You will need to convince potential employers that you are the right man or woman for the job, and the best way to do that is to know anything and everything about video games and the gaming industry. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Purchase one or more different game consoles
- Study and learn all you can about the consoles you own
- Play as many games as you are able to
- Begin to analyze the games, becoming aware of every detail and placement
- Get active in online communities - make contacts! Like most jobs, networking is key.
- Gain experience as a beta tester
Step 3: Seek Employment
- Now that you have an understanding of what is expected of you, not to mention lots of experience with consoles, games and online communities, it is time to find a job and start making money. Here are some tips on how to go about marketing yourself to potential employers:
- Search video game manufacturing websites - these sites usually have announcements regarding their need for video game testers. If there is no announcement, or if you simply want to contact their game testing department directly, be proactive and reach out via phone or e-mail.
- Contact video game designers and let them know you are seeking game testing work. Send them an e-mail listing all your experience. Keep checking back with them; show persistence!
- Expand your network of contacts - these are the people that will hopefully put you in contact with potential employers.
- Go to gaming contests and workshops. Find out who is hiring and let people know all the skills you have to offer.
Conclusion
Making money as a video game tester will not happen overnight, and it may be awhile before you are steadily getting employment. If you are tech savvy and have a great eye for detail though, and if you have a passion for playing video games, it is definitely a job worth investing in. Besides, the perks involve free video games, and what gamer can refuse that?
