Playing video games makes one think this is the ideal job. People who witnessed the advent of computer gaming in the late eighties to early nineties have probably dreamed of having a game testing job. Who wouldn’t desire a job that compensates for personal enjoyment?
Almost everyone loves video games. The days of video games confined to clunky consoles that cannot be taken on a plane trip or any trip are long gone. When people choose to play games, they use portable gaming devices such as PSP Vita or Android smartphones or tablets.
Now that video games compete with so many other personal entertainment types, a freemium model is widely utilized in PC games and mobile gaming, giving video games a boost. This is great news for those seeking to be video game professionals who are willing to do what it takes to secure their place in the industry. One of the fastest ways to gain a foothold in the video game industry is to apply for a quality assurance (game testing) position.
It is important to note that those testing a game are always separate from the team that codes or programs it. Therefore, the bug-tracking phase is accomplished by quality assurance testers (game testers).
Further, companies and game studios tasked game testers with presenting bug reports on a regular schedule. For example, if one is testing a game and has submitted only a few bug reports for all the months in the company, one should not anticipate superiors giving glowing reviews.
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Since communication with the programming department is in writing, excellent written communication skills are needed. One will not thrive or survive in this field without good writing skills. It is paramount to remember that game testers are not very special in the video game production world. There is an abundance of potential testers, and if one leaves, another will quickly fill the void. So, if advancement is desired, one must demonstrate an above-average or better game-tester ability for superiors.
Here are the hard facts:
Survival Skills. To survive in the professional quality assurance (game testing) field, one will require skills of the trade that can be obtained through formal training (on-the-job training) and continuous experience. The importance of playing video games is that experience is paramount. However, it is not the end-all of game testing. It is just a small aspect that will assist in performing a game tester’s job.
Most Important Asset. The most important asset of a game tester is the ability to perform on the job. How good is one in bug tracking newly developed games? One cannot astonish lead game testers and quality assurance managers simply by telling them that, as a 15-year-old, one was a programming whiz. No matter how true this may be. Game tester effectiveness lies in discovering the bugs that may arise from many combinations within specific game segments. A tester is not assigned the whole game but only a particular segment to find bugs. This is when tester effectiveness will be scrutinized.
Be Prepared. Being prepared will greatly improve the chances of getting hired. One should enroll in courses before applying for a game testing position to gain proof of time spent and monetary investment. One cannot tell employers that they are well-versed in game testing through reading. Interviewers will not accept this as an experience and will go home with a broken heart. It is important to know this now to prepare for what lies ahead. It is not easy to get in, but it is not impossible either.
Professional and Passionate. To advance above the average game tester, one will need to demonstrate to superiors professional performance and an extreme passion for video games.
Stephen R. Summitt
Do you want to find sustainable employment by getting a job as a game tester? If you are here because you are serious about getting a job as a game tester, you have to deal with facts, not myths and the personal fantasies of hopefuls. Discover the truth about this field and how you can enter it.
