What do I have to do to become a video game tester?

How to become a video game tester (Quality Assurance Tester)?

• Hi im turning 18 this weekend and i figured its time to get a job since i am in all independent studies at my school so i don't have to actually GO to school so im pretty much free to sit home all day and do whatever i want, so i figured since im usually sitting home playing video games all day anyway maybe i should make something out of it? ive been looking around for like 2 days now and haven't found anything remotely useful online about how to really start being a game tester Video games is something im really passionate about (to give you an idea i spent at least 3 summers almost entirely in my house playing games :D) that's not to say im not super outgoing and interesting who doesn't like to party and stuff but im just trying to get the point that i can be content sitting playing games for endless hours and i really want this as more of a Career than a job but id also like to get into design and development later possibly. All the sites ive found cost money like only4gamers.com and becomeagametester.com and stuff like that my parents are convinced their all scams so they wont buy in. and the job listing sites ive found are all just listing for stuff that either is on site in California or Washington or somewhere across the country :( i live in NJ.. soo.. that's not gonna work. or they require vast knowledge of things that are something i haven't Been able to learn or need like 2 years experience So if someone could help me find some way to get my foot in the door and get a first time job id be really happy :D thanks^--^

• Answer:

  I am a game tester and I have been one for 12+ years. Yes I get paid for it. goto http://www.powerupgames.com and sign up for the newsletter. They also have a Jobs Site http://www.powerupgames.com/jobs They also have a bunch of articles in the knowledge foundry from all over the internet. If you want to take an online course. http://www.gameinstitute.com/PowerUp_Games_Video_Game_Testing.html Here are Nintendo, Blizzard http://www.nintendo.com/corp/tester.jsp http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/faq.html Since a Game Testers Job is to verify content. Verify all the info you get about game testing. Watch out for Hype or unreal expectations... you know a bunch of money, playing on your couch... http://www.affiliatebling.com/gamer-testing-ground/ This is an example. Make sure whoever you deal with, you can email or call or contact in some way. Any business has 2 of the 3 of the following... A phone number, email or chat support and an address. I would keep with those that have 2 of the 3 of these. Here is an article on more things you can do to verify. http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-3-Hints-to-Avoid-Game-Tester-Gimmicks&id=5586475 Remember, a lot of people will be applying to each position. Doing what you can to have your resume rise to the top is a good thing. Offsite or Stay at home game testing. Although it happens. Getting a couple week gig is like winning the lottery twice. A lot of people brag about having these positions but never had them. It is cool to say you get paid to play games. think about it. You are a publisher with a 10-100 million dollar title. You have a team of people who are trying to create buzz around the launch. So you are going to send your title to somebody who plays your game from their home? You are risking them talking about it or sending out screen shots to their buddies or a friend walking into the same room and seeing it. No, you would never risk your career like that. You may do it with someone you knew but not an anonymous someone out there. After all that anonymous person, may be an employee of your competitor.... There are sites with listings of game developers, Find the ones in Jersey like... Blackburst Media www.blackburstmedia.com Glen Rock New Jersey United States Comfy www.comfyland.com Saddle Brook New Jersey United States D2 Team-Sim www.d2teamsim.com Somerset New Jersey United States and the other ones too... Ask them if you can be a stay at home game tester. Please let us know how it goes. I think the only way your are going to enter the industry is through education. You have to be come educated as a game tester so you can stand out from the game players. You can educate yourself on the internet. You can take the course listed above or you can take our training. Save your money, find odd jobs, verify the education and the business offering it but get educated. Otherwise you are just another game player submitting a resume. The HR person has say 200 resumes, you have to get to the top 5 to get the phone and/or face to face interview and have a shot at it. as far as the education site you mentioned. I don't like affiliates. You will have to decide if you can trust them. http://www.only4gamers.com/affiliates.html Have your parents email me or show them the college with a game testing course. Maybe that will help them get on your side. Good luck.