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How do I Become a Video Game Tester?

Margo Upson
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Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 15,783
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Video games aren’t just for kids. Each video game console that comes out is advertised as having the best graphics and amazing game play. Several of the games being made now are for mature audiences, making video games more popular with adults than ever before.

Video game testers, who play these games for a living, are the first people outside of the companies to see the new games. Video game testers preview the games before they reach the last stages of development. They report back to the company on how well the game plays, and their thoughts on the game. Testers check for bugs, and analyze the game for details that regular gamers might not even notice.

There are a lot of people who would love to become a video game tester. Because of this, it can be a difficult job to get into. The best place to start is by playing a lot of video games. Learn how to work your consoles, and start analyzing games you already own. Notice details you might have missed the first time through. Get active in online forums and in online gaming communities. Also, start reading up on what is required of video game testers.

The second step when trying to become a video game tester is to get into a beta testing program. These jobs can be hard to find online, which is why it is so important to be part of a few active online communities. Becoming a beta tester is often a matter of knowing someone else who is already beta testing who can help you get in. Beta testers don’t always get paid for their work, but they usually get to keep the game they are testing. This is an important step when trying to become a video game tester, and is similar to the game testing job. Beta testers are required to log into the company website to share your feedback on the game, or to get online at certain times, through the game, to help test the game’s online capacity.

The next step is to begin marketing yourself to video game designers. Let them know who you are, and that you would like to become a video game tester for them. Send a letter through the appropriate channels stating your experience in gaming. This is a great time to mention any beta testing experience you may have. Eventually, you will probably get your first game to test. After that, go back to marketing yourself. Although it may take a while, the more games you test for a company, the more likely it is that you will become someone they are happy to work with. Your effort may pay off with a career in video game testing.

It isn’t difficult to become a video game tester, but it can be very tedious and is not a career that happens overnight. It may even be several years before you are making any money at all. However, with considerable determination, it is possible to eventually break into this career field.

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Margo Upson
By Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education, Margo Upson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as a Practical Adult Insights writer. Her wide-ranging interests and skill at diving into new topics make her articles informative, engaging, and valuable to readers seeking to expand their knowledge.
Discussion Comments
By Fiorite — On Oct 02, 2010

@ Glasshouse- I would have to agree with your assumptions of a game tester. My friend got to be a tester for Dante's Inferno before it was released for consoles, and he loved it. It was the only game he has tested, and it was on a contract basis. He actually had an excuse for his girlfriend when she complained that he was always playing video games.

By Glasshouse — On Oct 02, 2010

@ Georgesplane- I would assume that one who becomes a video game beta tester would only apply to game studios that produce games they like. Most game studios have a few platforms that most of their games are based on, and many new games are continuations of previous blockbusters.

Although I do agree that playing a horrible game would be torturous (as would being forced to watch your wife's favorite show, or forcing her to watch your favorite sports event for that matter) I would assume that a game tester would have more say in what they test. It seems like a game tester would be an independent contractor the game studio hires to test a specific game, especially since it can be a couple of years between releases by a game studio.

By Georgesplane — On Oct 02, 2010

Becoming a video game tester sounds like it would be a fun job, but when you are under the gun to play games for eight hours a day, your opinion about playing games might change. Not all games are created equal, to be cliché, and nothing is worse than being forced to play an awful game for hours on end. I would equate that torture to being forced to watch Hoarders with my fiancée.

Margo Upson
Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education,...
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