The video gaming industry alone is expected to generate roughly $300 billion by 2025, making for an endless amount of possibilities. This article aims to break down how one can start earning game testing by giving actionable, step-by-step advice.
Understand the Role of a Game Tester
When you test games for money, you basically get compensation for reviewing video games based on functionality and ease of use. The game tester’s role is to uncover problems in the game’s design, such as bugs or glitches. Graphics, soundtracks, user interface, and gameplay are just some of the features testers will need to evaluate. From the surface level, it might appear entertaining, but game testers are required to abide by certain protocols and record every problem that surfaces in the game.
Game testing usually has two types:
- Quality Assurance QA testing attempts to locate technical problems.
- Play Testing: Here, users provide feedback about the game.
Both roles are fundamental to ensuring that the game’s final version is free of as many errors as possible and is fun for gamers.
Build Relevant Skills
Although many game-testing jobs do not require formal education, developing the following relevant skills can help one stand out to potential employers:
- Detail-oriented: Precision and focus are mandatory to find bugs and other issues. Game testers must catch minute errors that can utterly shatter gaming experiences.
- Interpersonal skills: Clear, concise, and comprehensive reporting of issues is mandatory and must be expounded upon. Testers must explain the origins and impact of the problems on gameplay.
- Gaming savviness: Knowing different game types and consoles allows for easier acclimatization to test conditions. Familiarity with how different games operate will enhance one’s judgment of errors.
- Technological knowledge. Understanding testing software and bug-tracking tools like JIRA gives testers an advantage. Many developers prefer hiring those who can use professional tools to report issues.
Join Game Testing Platforms
Nowadays, there are numerous options for avid gamers to try their luck at finding game-testing gigs. The most popular are:
This platform links testers and game developers, primarily for mobile games. Testers give feedback on games in their developmental phases. With PlaytestCloud, every tester gets paid for the time spent completing playtests for games that have not yet been published.
BetaFamily allows registered members to work on mobile gaming and application testing projects. After registration, members will need to create a profile, and then they will be able to start accepting tests. They select and invite testers based on other demographic and gameplay data, preferences, and project needs.
Well-known to many, UserTesting helps businesses find testers for their video games and digital products. Gamers will get paid to play games and give feedback. A test is usually 10-20 minutes, and users can earn $10 to $60 depending on its complexity.
Mainly a streaming platform, Twitch allows testers to interact with developers for beta testing new games. The big community also helps establish connections between game testers and other developers or testers.
Apply for Game Tester Jobs
After acquiring the essential knowledge and registering in testing platforms, it’s time to search for game testing jobs. Search on job boards or at specific gaming portals like Gamasutra or Indeed. Many gaming developers have also posted job openings on their official pages.
A tester’s resume should detail pertinent skills like previous QA work, technical know-how, or even what types of games they enjoy. Even without work experience, a love for games and mentioning any accomplished tests will help.
Explore Full-Time Game Tester Positions
Game testing provides opportunities for someone who wants a full-time job. Large companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision employ game testers for their in-house teams. Such positions are usually salaried, employable, and come with additional benefits like effortless career progression, which makes these roles more stable relative to freelance opportunities.
In-house testers work with the developers and give their feedback on different parts of the game. These people are usually brought on board during the earlier phases of the game’s development and continue to test the product until its publication.
Be Patient and Persistent
Getting a job in game testing may not be a walk in the park, but with patience, it can be achieved. Just remember to keep building your reputation as a reliable tester, and consistent opportunities for paid game testing will come knocking.
Conclusion
For gaming enthusiasts, game testing presents a chance to earn some extra money while doing what they love – playing video games. To be effective, one needs to set goals first, improve the skills, sign up with game-testing websites, and apply for suitable positions. There is no shortage of work for freelance contractors or full-time workers who want to broaden their experience. Exercise some patience and develop a stable source of income that will be more than sufficient over time.
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