Game Tester

What is a game tester?

A game tester is someone who plays video games to test their functionality and identify any bugs or issues before the game is released to the public.

What does a game tester do?

Usually, a game tester does the following:

• Plays video games for long periods of time to test their performance, controls, and features
• Identifies bugs, glitches, and other issues in the game and reports them to the development team
• Follows testing protocols and documents feedback and observations
• Tests games on different platforms, such as consoles, computers, and mobile devices

What does the day-to-day life of a game tester look like?

A game tester usually works between 9am and 5pm, though this may vary depending on the company and the stage of game development. You may be required to work longer hours or even weekends when nearing important release dates or during crunch periods.

You will spend most of your day playing video games and testing different aspects of the game. You will document any bugs or issues you encounter and provide detailed feedback to the development team. You may also participate in meetings to discuss progress and collaborate with other testers and developers.

Where does a game tester work?

Game testers are usually employed by video game development companies and work in-house. They may be based in dedicated testing departments or work directly with the development team.

Alternatively, some game testers work as freelance or contract testers, providing their services to different game development companies on a project basis.

What tools/software/hardware does a game tester use?

A game tester uses a variety of tools including:

• Game consoles and platforms: You will test games on different consoles, computers, or mobile devices depending on the target platform.
• Bug tracking software: This software helps you document and report bugs and issues encountered during testing.
• Communications software: You may use software like Slack or Microsoft Teams to collaborate and communicate with other testers and the development team.

What do I need to become a game tester?

There are a number of ways you can become a game tester, including:

• Education: While a formal education is not always required, having a degree in a relevant field such as game design or computer science can give you an advantage.
• Gaming experience: Having a strong background in playing various types of video games is important to understand game mechanics, controls, and industry standards.
• Attention to detail: Being able to notice and document even the smallest issues or bugs is crucial in this role.
• Communication skills: Being able to effectively communicate your findings to the development team is essential.

What career paths are available?

There are a number of career paths available to you as a game tester, including:

• Senior Game Tester: With experience, you can take on a leadership role and oversee the testing process, mentor junior testers, and provide valuable insights to the development team.
• Game Designer/Developer: Your experience as a game tester can provide you with a strong foundation to transition into game design or development roles.
• Quality Assurance Manager: You can progress into a management role, overseeing the quality assurance processes for game development projects.

What jobs are similar to a game tester?

• Quality Assurance Tester: Testing software and applications for bugs and issues in various industries.
• User Experience (UX) Tester: Evaluating the usability and user-friendliness of websites, apps, or software.
• Beta Tester: Testing pre-release versions of software or games to provide feedback and identify issues.

What made you want to become a game tester?

How did you get your first game tester job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a game tester?

Are you a game tester? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to game testing. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.