Video Game Tester skills and qualifications
Successful Video Game Testers ideally have excellent problem-solving skills, as they must find and resolve various in-game issues. Thinking out of the box is often helpful because the testers need to approach the game from different angles to find as many bugs as possible. In addition, it is essential that they can communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, to relay their findings to the development team.
Here are some other skills and qualifications that Video Game Testers need:
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A genuine passion for playing video games
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Familiarity with software or game development process flow
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A good eye for detail to spot any inconsistencies or bugs
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Creative thinking to suggest possible improvement areas
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Excellent communication skills to communicate with the stakeholders
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Strong problem-solving skills
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Patience with playing the game for long hours and often repetitively
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Good organizational and time-management skills
Salary expectations
Indeed data related to Video Game Testers careers indicates that the average salary of a Video Game Tester in the US is approximately $28.01 per hour and $102,991 per year. The actual varies greatly depending on the workload, scope of work, location of work, and several other external factors.
Education and training requirements
Video Game Tester job duties usually do not require rigorous education or training. However, most companies prefer candidates with at least a Bachelor’s degree. In addition, it is beneficial to have some prior experience in the video game or software development industry, whether it is through internships, part-time jobs, or other means.
As Video Game Testers have to report technical bugs to the developers, having a formal educational background in Computer Science is often beneficial. It’s a big plus if the Video Game Tester is familiar with a few game development languages, such as C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, Swift and others.
Experience requirements
Most Video Game Tester positions require at least 1-2 years of relevant experience. However, some companies may be willing to hire entry-level testers with little to no experience. The most important thing for companies is that the candidate has a genuine passion for video games and can provide valuable feedback.
Also, the candidate should be familiar with bugs or issue-tracking software as they may have to rely on such apps to report bugs. In addition, familiarity with a range of gaming consoles is also helpful to excel as a Video Game Tester.
Job description samples for similar positions
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Frequently asked questions about Video Game Testers
What skills does a Video Game Tester need?
A Video Game Tester should have an excellent eye for small details and passion for various video games. Also, the tester requires excellent verbal and written communication skills to note their findings accurately and concisely. Technical understanding of the overall device stability, varying graphic settings, and frame rates during gameplay is also helpful.
Does a Video Game Tester require coding?
No, Video Game Testers do not usually need coding experience. However, familiarity with one or more game development languages is beneficial as it helps communicate more effectively with the developers.
How do Video Game Testers get paid?
Most Video Game Testers are either paid hourly or salaried. For short-term projects, small or medium companies tend to hire Video Game Testers hourly. The larger companies that work on game development projects around the year go for hiring on a salaried basis.
How to differentiate a Video Game Tester from a Game Developer?
A Game Developer is responsible for the video game’s overall development, including coding, designing, and creating the game. On the other hand, a Video Game Tester is responsible for testing the game after its initial development and before the final launch. They identify any in-game glitches and recommend the developers based on their gameplay experience.
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