Q: How to Become a Video Game Tester? (2024)

FAQs

Q: How to Become a Video Game Tester? ›

Pay attention in school and get good grades. Some classes that could help you get a QA job might be: technical writing, computer programming (introduction), project management, possibly Microsoft Excel. You can also learn more about game design by reading through some of the top game design books.

Although entry-level jobs in game testing generally do not require work experience, your chances of being hired increase dramatically if your resume shows that you have tested games and written bug reports before.

Work and play collide in the video game industry

Although it may sound like all fun and games, this role means hard work and attention to detail. If you have those qualities, though, you can make a good salary working out the bugs in video games before they hit the market.

To be a tester, your teen needs to be 16 or 18 years old (depending on the platform), but PlaytestCloud allows parents to sign up on behalf of their kids. Kids can then test games under parental supervision.

Your salary as a game tester will depend a lot on your experience and the company you work for. Where you live can also be a factor in how much you get paid, since regional laws may determine a minimum wage. Some game testing jobs may be in an office where the company provides the materials you need.

If you want to be a tester who is still attending high school, it might be impossible. Most video game studios/publishers want full-time testers, who will play the game(s) eight hours a day, five days a week. A few hours after school won't cut it. You'll have better luck if you're attending college.

Video game testers can work in the office or remotely, either from home or in the office of a game testing agency that works with multiple clients. Some companies prefer to have an in-house testing team so that testers can meet with developers face-to-face.

Game testing is a rewarding but challenging career that requires a lot of passion, creativity, and attention to detail. However, it can also be stressful and exhausting, especially when you have to deal with tight deadlines, repetitive tasks, complex systems, and bug reports.

Is game testing a fun job? ›

Being a game tester can be fun and rewarding in addition to being a way to earn a living. You'll often have access to the newest titles, and you'll get an inside look at the gaming business.

While programming or coding skills are not typically mandatory for game testers, having a basic understanding can be advantageous. Testers with coding knowledge can better comprehend game structures, identify potential issues, and communicate effectively with developers.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for software developers, including testers, will grow by 22 percent, much faster than the average for all careers, through 2029. The push toward pre-market perfection will help to keep the video game testing profession strong.