Video Game Testing- Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can I Become a Video Game Tester Without a Formal Education?
Answer: Absolutely! Although having a college degree will likely help, it is by no means required to begin a career in video game testing. As a matter of fact, there are some testers who haven't even graduated high school.
Question: Will I Be Able To Get A Testing Job As Soon As I Start?
Answer: Well, that depends completely on you and your dedication. If you only try game testing for a week, apply to 2-3 companies, and then just sit around and wait, odds are that you won't be very successful. The trick is to keep going & going & going, just like the energizer bunny. If you don't get the job you wanted, search for another and another. There are plenty of game companies out there and one of them is bound to accept you.
Question: Lets Say I Get A Game Testing Job, How Much Will I Make?
Answer: You can make up to $120 per hour as a video game tester. However, lets be realistic. If you are just starting out, you won't make anywhere near that amount. So, when you see ads that say "Make up to $120 Per Hour", they aren't technically lieing; they're just not telling the whole story.
You can make UP TO $120 per hour, you just won't start there. Realistically, you will start at about $12-$20 per hour, which isn't bad considering your playing video games. How fast you climb up the "pay ladder" will directly relate to how many jobs you get as well as how well you do your job. So, if you want bigger pay, you'll just have to work harder.
Question: Is The Work Hard?
Answer: Well, if you think sitting on your butt playing video games is hard, then yes, it's very hard. Honestly, In terms of being difficult, game testing is not in the least bit. On the other hand though, video game testing can be boring and quite tedious.
As a Video Game Tester, you won't just be playing a game and beating it. You will be playing levels over & over and you'll be repeating things again and again. Therefore, if you not a fan of repetition, video game testing may take it's toll on you after awhile. However, if your a true gamer, this small speed bump won't get in your way.
Question: What Does A Game Tester Actually Do?
Answer: Basically, he/she tests video games that are in the later stages of development. The basic form of testing, which you will likely be doing, is playing a game and looking for glitches and bugs. When a glitch/bug is found, the tester will write a short descriptive report on it detailing what happened and how it happened. This will allow programmers and developers to find the problem, figure out what caused it, and then fix it quickly. The programmers rely on these reports to fix video games, so some level of writing skill is needed by the tester.
Question: Is There a Specific Age I Have To Be To Get Into Paid Game Testing?
Answer: Nope. You can be 16 years olds, 18 years old, 30 years old, 40 years old, and anywhere in between. Realistically though, you should probably wait until your 18. Honestly, I don't know of many game companies hiring 16 year old teenagers to test video games, but I suppose anything is possible.
You have to realize that it's experience that matters, not age. Who do you think a game developer would bet his money on: a 20 year old guy that has some experience with video games? Or, a 36 year old guy whom has years of experience in the video game industry? The safer bet would be the more experienced applicant.
So, As I Said But A Minute Ago, Age Doesn't Matter, EXPERIENCE DOES!
Question: How Can I Get Started Immediately?
Answer: By being active. Sitting around and looking though the paper isn't going to help in your job quest. This means you have to start actively searching for jobs and applying to as MANY different companies as humanly possible.
Unfortunately though, you probably don't know what companies you can apply to or what companies are looking for testers, right? In that case, you're going to need a lot of help, and luckily for you, you can get all the help you'll ever need by using this Extraordinary Job Database, as it has all the information a video game tester could ever need!
