Video Game Tester Jobs

2008-07-27T01:39:00.000-07:00

Professional video game testing is without a doubt way better than most other jobs out there. But then again, playing video games for cash, like any other type of employment, does have a few downsides. Admittedly, the downsides of being a game tester are not too terrible to put up with, but they do actually exist and every video game tester out there must accept and deal with them.

The Job Description of A Video Game Tester

Contrary to what you may think, game testers do not just sit on their butts all day long and play extraordinary video games. In truth, playing video games and testing video games are two COMPLETELY different things. Although you'll still likely have fun testing the newest and coolest video games, it won't be quite as much fun as you originally thought. Why is this? Because game testers have to do actual work.

Instead of just being paid to judge the overall amount of enjoyment of a new video game, testers are paid to locate what most programmers and coders can't, which is bugs and glitches. Game programmers can easily identify the larger bugs & glitches; but when it comes time to locate the tiny and less obvious ones, developers solely rely on expert game testers to do the job quickly and effectively. That being said, as a video game tester it is YOUR JOB to test the game as long as it takes in order to find and properly document every one of the game's bugs and glitches!

Earnings Of A Video Game Tester

Unfortunately, there is no set-in-stone starting salary for a new game tester. Different companies pay different wages, so it's a bit hard to give an exact figure on how much a video game beta tester can or will be paid. Having said that, don't wholeheartedly believe advertisements that say game testers get paid up to $120 per hour. Although it's not a full blown lie, it's not really truth either -- Game tester salaries can be quite high, just not that high.

At a rate of $120 per hour, a beta tester would earn $600 per day just working a minuscule 5 hours. To be honest, you'd have a real tough time finding professional game testers that get paid even half that sum for a days worth of work.

Average Tester Earnings: Yearly salary of a paid beta tester can range from a relatively low $18000 to a staggering $80,000 or more. Monthly salary can range from $1300 to a high $10000. Weekly salary can be anywhere from $300 to a sizeable $2000.
If you have a lot of time on your hands, salaries can be much more if you own more than one video game console, let's say; Playstation 3, XBOX 360, and the Nintendo WII.

The amount of cash you can make as a professional beta game tester is directly associated with the game developer you are working for, not to mention the overall amount of work you can "successfully" take on.

If You're Truly Ready To Make a Full Time Living Playing & Testing Video Games, Then You Need Check Out the "GAMER TESTING GROUND". It Will Tell You Everything You Need To Know and It Will Even Show You How To Jump-Start Your Game Testing Career Both Quickly & Easily.

Game Testing For Beginners

Video Games have come to play a very important part in our everyday lives;
they teach us a whole range of very important skills, such as planning, logistics, teamwork, strategies, problem solving, financial saving, budget managing, and etc.

However with games being such big business very few people actually look to games to find their employment opportunities. Whether you’re playing a game to release stress or just playing it for fun, few people are aware that you can get paid for all the time you’re invested, and that’s what I’ll talk about today. To be a game tester, a keen eye and halfway decent writing skills are the only requirements to secure a job.

But wait, what is “a Game Tester”
– a game tester is someone that plays video games to ensure that game has no errors that set the game back.

Video game beta Testers must carefully note any errors they uncover. Most Game testers build a solid reputation until they have established enough experience to be hired by a company needing game testers on a regular or temporary basis. On an average, game testers make anywhere between $10 to $100 dollars an hour, and some
probably make even more than that. No special experience or college degree is required.

However, by no means is acquiring a job as a game tester easy. The best route into the industry is to participate in the public beta tests for popular video games - this will allow you to become familiar with what a game tester actually
does and his requirements actually are. Many game designers, artists, and other people on the production side of gaming used video game testing as a way to get their foot in the door. Tommy Torrino, one of the composers
behind the soundtrack to the blockbuster game "Halo" originally started in the industry as a game tester.

Most will agree that in the game industry, contacts are everything. If you want to go far you have to meet the right people. That said, everyone starts at the bottom, and if you truly love gaming, and want to make a career out of something that you love, go for it, and start today. And if you get your foot in the door you may have
just landed yourself a job that everyone around you will envy.

Quality Assurance and Game Testing

The last 20 years or so have been huge for home video gaming.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make a living playing video games? Well, there is a job like that, and that job title is “Game Tester”. The Test department of a game publishing company is called "Quality Assurance” and the employees of this department are usually the ones who get to play the video games and make sure they do not have any bugs in them. You have undoubtedly heard that a recommended way of getting started in the game business is to get a job as a game tester.

Though it’s not all fun and games, when working in the Quality Assurance department, as a tester, you will sometimes be required to play through the same level many, many times over. Sometimes it can take a while to identify all different bugs in the game. Many people imagine that video game testers spend their day playing through the latest and greatest new titles. While this may be true
to some extent, many people don't understand exactly how much "work" they will be doing while playing. The majority of people in the video game testing business are very happy with their jobs though.

After all, they do get to play the hottest new games and see what the future of the industry holds months, sometimes years before the general public. And those who do enjoy it, no doubt have a higher job satisfaction level when compared to other career paths.As a game tester, there is no set amount that you'll begin making when you start testing video games for money.
Different companies pay different wages,so it's hard to give an exact figure on what a beta tester can or will be paid. Ball-Park Figures says the yearly salary of a video game tester can range from a low $18,000 to a staggering $80,000 or more per annum. There are plenty of jobs for all different skill levels in video game testing. It’s all about where you’ll best fit in.
So if this is something that you’re possibly interested in, start today. Fill out an application, what’s the worst that can happen?

The Become A Game Tester eCourse – My Review”

If you are like me video games are no longer just a form of entertainment… but a true part of your life.

So it’s no wonder I was immediately interested when I found an online course that shows how to play video games for a living.

I decided to take up the offer and now without further ado, here’s my review of the Become A Game Tester eCourse

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Content – 4/5
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The course is relatively short, but filled to the top with quality information about becoming a paid video game tester. (Basically this involves playing early versions of a game to identify bugs, glitches and other problems).

The course is split into 5 separate parts:

-- Myths, Facts and FAQ’s of Game Testing
-- What’s Involved in Game Testing
-- What Qualifications and Skills You Need
-- How to Get Valuable Experience in the Industry
-- How to Give Properly Find and Apply For Game Testing Jobs

The course really focuses on the “real-world” style of game testing... i.e. being employed by big companies like EA and Blizzard.

It’s actually pretty harsh when it comes to exposing the facts about the game testing industry. You’ll see that it’s not all fun and games… and does require some effort. But it was refreshing to read a course designed for the real world, and not some get-rich-quick scheme.

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Bonuses – 5/5
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The course comes with some cool little downloadable bonuses… which are actually as good as the course itself.

It includes things like a step-by-step tutorial on how to create a game testing application, as well as access to a private members area where new testing positions are posted.

The site also has an online newsletter which you can subscribe to. While this isn’t actually part of the Become A Game Tester eCourse, it still provides some great little tips and let’s you dip your feet in the water before you decide to buy anything.

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Value – 4/5
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Like I said earlier, the course itself is pretty short, but it more than makes up for it with the quality and detail of its information. It’s also presented very clearly and is easy to read and understand.

Unfortunately, you do have to pay for it… but the site offers a 56 day (8 week) money back guarantee. So if you don’t like what you paid for, just request a refund.

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Overall – 4/5
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I highly recommend this course, but I can’t personally guarantee you will get a game testing job immediately after reading it. All I can say is that it will definitely give you the necessary knowledge and skills to do so.

No matter who you are, you will find information in the “Become A Game Tester Course” that you can apply immediately.

So check it out below...

Video games you should get

Today i'm providing more info about the Playstation 3,PC Nintendo Wii,and XBOX 360 games you should add to your collection.

1st is the Nintendo Wii that appeal to a greater audience, ranging from 10 years old to 80 years. It's so popular now that many stores don't have consoles in stock.
Below is the top games for the Nintendo Wii.

SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL

SUPER MARIO GALAXY
OKAMI
NO MORE HEROES
SUPER MARIO BROS 3
MARIO KART
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008
PINBALL HALL OF FAME
BULLY
BUBBLE BOBBLE
TRAUMA CENTER NEW BLOOD
MEDAL OF HONOR HEROES 2
ALIEN SOLDIER
TV SHOW KING
NO MORE HEROES
GEOMETRY WARS: GALAXIES
WII SPORT
WII BALANCE BOARD
NANCY DREW: WHITE WOLF II
PETZ CRAZY MONKEY
GOOSEBUMPS HORRORLAND

The Playstation 3.

There are a few out since the Playstation 3 launched, but i will only list the ones i think are good enough to purchase, or rent.
Make sure you go to these links, or click on the links below.
www.gamespot.com
www.ign.com
www.gametrailers.com
www.gamedaily.com
Check out all the info about the games i've listed, from ratings, screen shots, trailers, and many more - that way you should have enough knowledge and info about the games,saving you time,money and the dissapointment, when you play the game, and it's not what you thought it was.

Below are my finished list, notice that some of the games are not yet released, but will be worth waiting for.

PLAYSTATION 3

KILLZONE 2

RESIDENT EVIL 5

MERCENARIES2
MEDAL OF HONOUR AIRBORNE
CALL OF DUTY 4
WARHAWK
RATCHET AND CLANK TOOLS OF DESTRUCTION
RATCHET AND CLANK: QUEST FOR BOOTY
BATTLEFIELD BAD COMPANY - Score: 8.5/10
ACECOMBAT 6
TOM CLANSY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2 - Score: 8.5/10
DIRT
RESISTANCE FALL OF MAN - Score: 8.6/10
THE DARKNESS
MOTORSTORM
ASSASINS CREED - Score: 9/10
RIDGE RACER 7
TURNING POINT FALL OF LIBERTY
VIRTUA TENNIS 3
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 3
BLAZING ANGLES 2
BURNOUT PARADISE
SOULCALIBUR IV - Score: 8.5/10
CONAN
THE BIGS
BROTHERS IN ARMS HELLS HIGHWAY
FALLOUT 3
DARK SECTOR
TUROK
NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA - Score: 9/10
THE CLUB
CONDEMNED 2 BLOOSHOT - Score: 8.5/10
DYNASTY WARRIOR 6
ALONE IN THE DARK
THE ELDERS SCROLL IV: OBLIVION - Score: 9.5/10
SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION REVOLUTION - Score: 9/10
METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS - Score: 10/10
UNCHARTED DRAKES FORTUNE
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - Score: 10/10
DEVIL MAY CRY 4
UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3
GHOST RECON ADVANCED WARFIGHTER 2
PURE
INFAMOUS
BORDERLANDS
PROTOTYPE
RESISTENCE 2
THE WHEELMAN
FACEBREAKER
PROJECT ORIGIN
STRANGLEHOLD
SIREN: BLOOD CURSE
BAYONETTA
BAJA
MOTORSTORM PACIFIC RIFT
DEAD SPACE
DARKSIDERS WRATH OF WAR
INCREDIBLE HULK
SAINTS ROW 2
IL 2 - STURMOVIK BIRDS OF PREY
SHAUN WHITE SNOWBOARDING
FRACTURE
SIREN
MIRROR’S EDGE
GHOSTBUSTERS
FARCRY 2
HEIST
LEGENDARY
GOLDEN AXE : BEAST RIDER
JAMES BOND 007 : QUATUM OF SOLACE
PRINCE OF PERSIA
TOMB RAIDER UNDERWORLD
DESTROY ALL HUMANS : PATH OF THE FURON
DAMNATION
TOM CLANCY’S HAWX
STREET FIGHTER IV
GOD OF WAR III
DEMIGOD BATTLE
WIPEOUT
SPIDERMAN WEB OF SHADOWS
TOM CLANCY’S END WAR
SOCOM CONFRONTATION
SHELLSHOCK 2 BLOOD TRAILS
LITTLE BIG PLANET
DARK VOID
RISE OF THE ARGONAUTS
LORD OF THE RINGS CONQUEST
SKATE 2
AFRO SAMURAI
FEAR 2: PROJECT ORIGIN
THE GODFATHER 2
X BLADES
50 CENTS: BLOOD ON THE SAND
ROGUE WARRIOR
STORMRISE
BIONIC COMMANDO
HARRY POTTER & THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
EAT LEAD: THE RETURN OF MATT HAZZARD
WANTED: WEAPONS OF FAITH
RAGE

Guide available here - PS3 Repairguide.com

Good......

Next in line is the Xbox 360

I'm listing a variety of games in the action/adventure genre..

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV
BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY
GEARS OF WAR 2
HALO 3
STAR WARS THE FORCE UNLEASHED
GUITAR HERO 3 LEGENDS OF ROCK
LEGO BATMAN
KILLER INSTINCT 3
BROTHERS IN ARMS HELL'S HIGHWAY
TOO HUMAN
FACEBREAKER
MIRROR'S EDGE
TOMB RAIDER UNDERWORLD
IKARUGA
GEOMETRY WARS: RETRO EVOLVED 2
FABLE 2
SAINTS ROW 2
CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR
PURE
LEFT 4 DEAD
MEGA MAN 9
BIOSHOCK 2 : SEA OF DREAMS
GOLDEN AXE: BEAST RIDER
PORTAL: STILL ALIVE
AGE OF BOOTY
NARUTO: THE BROKEN BOND
THE LAST REMNANT
HALO 3: RECON
DEAD ISLAND
SPIDERMAN WEB OF SHADOWS
OVERLOAD II

Let's move on to the PC games you should consider getting.

I've compiled a list of different games, from strategy, racing, action, action adventure, first person shooters, role playing, and many more.
Also make sure that your PC will meet the requirements, before attempting to play them on your desktop computer.
More info about that below my list.

PC GAMES

FALLOUT 2
FALLOUT 3
ASSASINS CREED
CALL OF DUTY 4
CRYSIS
AGE OF CONAN HYBORIAN ADVENTURES
THE ELDER SCROLLS OBLIVION
NEVERWINTER NIGHTS 2
DIABLO 2 LORDS OF DESTRUCTION
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
PIRATES OF THE BURNING SEA
PENUMBRA BLACK PLAGUE
SPLINTER CELL DOUBLE AGENT
TOMB RAIDER ANNIVERSARY
ALIEN SHOOTER VENGEANCE
BIOSHOCK
HALF LIFE 2
FRONTLINES FUEL OF WAR
SHADOW STALKER OF CHERNOBYL
UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3
FAR CRY
DOOM 3
BATTLEFIELD 2142
THE ORANGE BOX
FEAR
BATTLEFIELD 2
TOM CLANCYS RAINBOW SIX VEGAS
SNIPER ELITE
TOM CLANCYS RAINBOW SIX LOCKDOWN
AMERICAS ARMY
GEARS OF WAR
STRANGLEHOLD
WORLD OF WARCRAFT
WORLD OF WARCRAFT BURNING CRUSADE
SINS OF A SOLAR EMPIRE
COMMAND AND CONQUER 3 TIBERIUM WARS
WORLD IN CONFLICT
MEDIEVAL 2 TOTAL WAR
COMPANY OF HEROES
LEFT FOR DEAD
THIS IS VEGAS
TEAM FORTRESS 2
STARCRAFT II
DRACULA ORIGIN
THEATRE OF WAR
GALACTIC CIVILIZATION II TWILIGHT OF THE ARNOR
SACRED 2 : FALLEN ANGEL

Great...

My best advice would be to compare your pc against the top performing gaming pc's out there.
Take a look here..

ALIENWARE HIGH PERFORMANCE GAMING PC

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Game of the Day

Newly released & Upcoming Playstation 3 Games

About this game:

From Namco's acclaimed weapon-based fighting series comes the fourth chapter in the series (and first for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3). Delivering new gameplay modes, characters and enhanced features with unprecedented 3D modeling and animation, Soulcalibur IV aims to be a definitive fighting game experience.

Set to finally reveal the origins of the Soulcalibur saga, the game features both new and familiar faces from across the galaxy who seeks the rival swords for their own goals. Continuing the tradition of breaking new boundaries, legendary Star Wars icons Darth Vader and Yoda invade the Soulcalibur universe to add a new layer of depth, challenge, and mystery. Also for the first time in the franchise, customized characters or original favorites can be taken online to challenge others for the top spot of this timeless series.

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BATTLEFIELD BAD COMPANY

Battlefield: Bad Company drops gamers behind enemy lines with a squad of renegade soldiers who risk it all on a personal quest for gold and revenge.

Featuring a cinematic single-player experience loaded with adventure and dark humor, the game delivers the series' trademark sandbox gameplay in a universe where nearly everything is destructible. Battlefield: Bad Company also features a full suite of the franchise's trademark multiplayer options with deep gameplay designed to take full advantage of the game's massively destructible environments.

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OVERLORD: RAISING HELL

ABOUT THIS GAME

Taking control of a mysterious figure that has inherited the legacy of the long-dead evil Overlord, the player emerges near death from the ruins of the old Overlord's Dark Tower. Only the player's actions will determine if they will rise to become the new all-powerful Overlord; it's all up to how bad they want to be in order to succeed ... evil or really evil! With a dark sense of humor, the game immerses players in twisted parodies of classic fantasy stories and characters. In a unique twist, players will have control over an army of an army of Minions that will use their unique skills to fetch, fight and die for their new Overlord. Throughout the game players will actively control a horde of these gremlin-like creatures that will follow every bidding no matter how whimsical or life threatening it may be.

The PlayStation 3 Raising Hell edition of Overlord enhances the original with a heaping helping of content that includes all of the downloadable content released to date.

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ALONE IN THE DARK

ABOUT THIS GAME
Taking the fear to a new level, the next-gen Alone in the Dark features the macabre style of the series played with new gameplay mechanics and a broader-reaching, action-packed play style. Explore fully-interactive real time worlds, interacting with physics and roaming the wide-open, fright-filled environments.

This next-gen Alone in the Dark is also built around a unique episodic game structure -- the story is split into a number of distinct 30-40 minute episodes, doled out one at a time as you play. Each time the player launches a saved game, the episode will begin with a video summary of the previous episode to quickly re-immerse the player in the story and removing the need to remember where they were or what they were doing. Every episode will close with a nail-biting cliff-hanger ending to rattle players’ nerves, and if the player is leaving the game a video teaser of the next episode will play to leave them wanting more.

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Todays Previews

PURE
About this game
Designed by the speed fanatics who have brought gamers such hits as ATV Off-Road Fury and MotoGP, Pure is the new racing phenomenon that gives gamers the raw thrills of off-road, extreme quad racing. Expect big air, ballsy tricks, mass-crush online play for up to 16 racers, and no end to the mayhem.

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DEAD SPACE - PREVIEW

See More Dead Space Artwork at IGN.com

About this game

Gamers step into a third-person sci-fi survival horror experience that promises to deliver the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action. Set in the cold blackness of deep space, the atmosphere is soaked with a feeling of tension, dread and sheer terror.

In Dead Space, players step into the role of engineer Isaac Clarke – an ordinary man on a seemingly routine mission to fix the communications systems aboard a deep space mining ship. It is not long before Isaac awakes to a living nightmare when he learns that the ship's crew has been ravaged by a vicious alien infestation. He must fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive.

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SOCOM breaches onto the PS3 in high-definition with the ultimate next-generation online combat experience. SOCOM Confrontation focuses on online play and the global community and clans that support it.

With support for Tournaments, Clan Ladders, Leader Boards, this fourth title in the multi-million unit selling franchise is exactly what SOCOM fans have been clamoring for. Additionally, players will be able to modify their appearance through facial and physical customization.

A global-scale experience, SOCOM Confrontation gives players the opportunity to battle against the best and brightest from the U.S., Europe and Asia. SOCOM Confrontation deploys with five new North African themed maps, including a 32-player version of "Crossroads." Additional themed packs for SOCOM Confrontation will be made available for download via the PlayStation Store..

General Features

* Ultimate 32-player online combat experience featuring stunning high-definition visuals, advanced physics, ballistics, impact and destruction modeling
* Rich interactive and destructible environments supporting multiple game types
* Full support of the SIXAXIS wireless controller, offering greater control
* Choice of playing as various International Special Forces
* Advanced voice communication systems and immersive audio
* Comprehensive player customization including fully featured load out, encumbrance and unique uniforms
* Up to seven different game modes are available on each map
* Advanced player matching, players can form a team with their friends and easily join an online game
* Regional combat or challenge teams from around the world
* Additional themed downloadable content packs available post launch

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Developed by Media Molecule, LittleBigPlanet™ is a new PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system community-based game with a hugely innovative concept behind it. Players meet on a blue and green planet scattered with individual plots - and use their character's amazing abilities to play, create and share what they build with other gamers throughout the world via PLAYSTATION® Network.

The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character's powers to interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve - all requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As soon as players begin their creative skills will grow and they will soon be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings - the first step to sharing them with the whole community.

Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together 3D landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to view and play. There's no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learned by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like. When it's ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch - or can go and explore everybody else's.

FEATURES

* There's not just one way to play. Players craft their own individual experience based on their own creativity.
* Unlimited possibilities for user-created content - players can customize everything: their characters, the landscape around them and their own patch on LittleBigPlanet.
* Players learn new skills and discover new items to aid them on their creative journey Explore the massive single player game or go online to find user-generated content. Little Big Planet will change every day as players contribute their own levels.
* Online and offline multiplayer modes - play alone, work as a team or get competitive.
* LittleBigPlanet global community for players to get involved with: includes player comments, rankings and easy communication with new and existing friends.

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Video Games Tester Review

Video Game Tester Jobs