Game Tester

For those unfamiliar with the game testing industry, this booming field is broken up into two categories, beta games testers and full-time internal games testers. Both are essential to games in their final development stage. Also, both types provide the game’s development and production teams with fresh insight and different perspectives into the game’s design and game play. Lastly, both types serve as the last line of defense against bugs that might affect the game’s coveted entertainment value.

With the brief explanation of the gaming testing career above, it is now time to explore the differences between the two types of game testers. First, the beta games testers are those who are typically unpaid volunteers. Even though most of these testers are unpaid, they do receive the added luxury of playing the hottest new titles in their own living room. This group of testers supplies the game’s production and development teams with the last bit of user feedback needed before the game is ready to be shipped out. Typically, the games analyzed by these testers are essentially the final products minus minor tweaks. Lastly, beta games testers usually receive the game’s final product for free or at least 75% off, for their services.

The second category of game testing is full-time internal games testers. The internal part of their name comes from the fact that these testers actually work daily at a gaming company to test games. They cannot stay home like the beta games testers. But, however, these testers have a better chance to be promoted to more attractive jobs such as game producers, game developers, or lead testers than beta games testers do. The full-time internal testers make up a group called the Quality Assurance of a game’s publishing company. The Quality Assurance team typically works at the game’s publishing company but can also work at independent testing labs that are hired by the game company. It is highly recommended for those aspiring to become either producers or developers to avoid these independent testing labs. The independent testing labs are devoid of quality interaction with the developers and producers. By working at the game’s publishing company as opposed to an independent testing lab, the tester will witness the development, production, and marketing aspects of the gaming business which will acclimatize him with other positions within the gaming industry.

Overall, both of the game testing fields have distinct advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into account while searching for your ideal gaming job.