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Video Game Tester

With the rapid growth of the gaming industry and the interest in game development and design, there is now a need for more game testers. Game testers are responsible for identifying bugs in games as a part of the quality assurance process before a game is released to the public. Testing is performed close to end of the development of the game and after the game has been released to ensure that any bugs can be corrected. These jobs are very illusive however, as they are usually offered to programmers, experts in the field and persons who were involved in testing earlier versions of the game. The first time video game tester can earn up to $25,000 annually, however more experienced testers can earn up to $70,000 annually.

Apart from what has been explained so far, there are a number of characteristics of video game testing that you need to know before you consider getting into the field:

Video game testing is a tedious job, requiring hours of playing and analyzing the same levels/stages of a game for up to nine hours a day. It means going into every nook and cranny of each level to identify glitches in art and logic errors.

There can be a lot of paperwork, as developers will require testers to document the results of their tests. In some instances the results can be very difficult to explain and may require a very wordy description of the issue. Therefore you require good communication skills, both oral and written.

During the final stages of the development of games, just before its release, testers are usually required to work up to 12hrs a day.

Apart from beta testing, game testers sometimes are required to test games at a location designated by the developers. Work from home testing is available, but is very difficult to get.

You cannot get a job in game testing by just checking craigslist or any other job site for openings. Most testers get jobs by approaching developers or publishers directly. Professionalism is necessary and experience in video game testing is a plus. Additionally, don't be shy to let them know your credentials, the consoles you have, your game rankings etc.

There is scope for upward mobility. The foregoing is dependent on how well you do in the projects you have. Some will be hired as a test manager if they have done well in the past as a tester and a test lead.

Since testing jobs are difficult to get, you may have to start as a beta tester (volunteer tester). If you are interested in becoming a beta tester, you may have some luck if you check bluesnews. Getting a beta testing job gives you some of the required experience to get a job as a paid tester.

Apart from testing game play, testers may be asked to test the functionality and ergonomics of controllers. You may even have to test the accessories like video cards and head sets.

If you want a game testing job, then you will have to be persistent. You should consider applying for many openings to increase your chances of being hired. Even if you do not get a response the first couple of times you apply for a game testing job, you should not give up.

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