How to Get Paid to Play Video Games

  • by Tim Livermore
  • Tuesday, May 11 2021
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If you are looking to get a job as a video game tester, here's how to do it...

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it turns out you can actually make a career out of playing video games. Video game tester jobs allow you to pursue your favorite pastime while earning a living. 

So, how can you get the gig? Before jumping into the job search, it’s crucial to learn the responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits of video game tester jobs.

What do video game testers do?

Video game testers don’t just aimlessly play video games all day. (Sorry to disappoint.) 

In reality, they’re responsible for catching all the bugs built into a game. For this reason, video game testers are often called Quality Assurance (QA) testers. In order to find the glitches, testers have to get creative. They must interact with the game in hundreds of unexpected ways to find any errors that game developers didn’t anticipate. Making the user experience as smooth as possible is the game tester’s mission.

What qualifications do I need to become a video game tester?

Loving video games is a great start, but there’s a bit more to landing a tester job. Since it’s a desirable role for a lot of gamers, the market is competitive. However, knowing the skills needed for the job can give you an advantage.

You don’t necessarily need to be fluent in coding language to qualify — leave that to the game developers. Instead, development teams look for gamers with experience in a variety of gaming genres and platforms. The job entails meticulous and thorough gameplay, so close attention to detail is also a must. For describing and troubleshooting glitches, clear communication skills are essential. Depending on the position, familiarity with debugging software might be preferred. Earning a certification or degree in graphic design, computer programming, or another related field can help your application stand out further. 

What are the benefits of video game tester jobs?

Aside from the obvious benefit of getting paid to game, there are plenty of reasons to consider video game tester jobs.

Although some game testers do the job directly from the office, many game testers work from home. This way, your couch, desk, or at-home game room can be your workplace. In addition to the possibility of working remotely, video game tester jobs are excellent pathways into the video game industry. You could start as an entry-level game tester before working your way up to a higher-level position. The gaming industry is vast and growing, so you might find yourself with a whole host of career opportunities.

Convinced you want to become a video game tester? Check out the links below for the latest internships and jobs in the gaming industry. Good luck, gamer!

Video Game Tester Jobs

Video Game Jobs

Video Game Internships

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