Game Testers

admin answers:

I would research what games the companies have in development and keep an eye open for the chance for an open beta test. If you have experience or you know someone in the company then perhaps you can get into an earlier testing phase before they open it to others. I’m uncertain about how EA or Sierra tests their games. They may all be tested in house by their own testing group or they may send it to a company that specializes in testing of interactive products.

One of the most important skills to have for a testing position is great communication skills. You need to be able to wreite or speak about the game you are testing and you must find what makes it work and not work. Saying “this sucks” is not a good choice of words to use when evaluating and testing a game. While a certain feature or other item may suck you need to tell them WHY. Also being able to problem solve will help as well. Things can’t be improved if no one knows what you’re talking about. As I have mentioned, writing skills are important so you can document items and hand them off to people who can fix them. Having a keen eye and being able to repeat your steps into finding flaws is good too. When testing a game it is important to know that your goal usually isn’t to be the first one to beat the game but to find all its flaws, exploits and errors. Sometimes you are given a specific tasks to test out (and maybe that is to beat the game ).

You can practice this with your own games to get use to the idea of finding mistakes. Play soem of your games and look for small errors. Also, next time you find something that isn’t cool at all then come up with a response explaining why. You can also try renting a game you normally wouldn’t play to help you focus more on the mechinics, story, and technology without distraction of it being your favorite type of game or any hype that it may have gotten before release.

Remember, some places will pay you for testing while others won’t. Also keep in mind that testing jobs may require you to live in their area so youc an work at their location and most of the time (from what I’ve seen) you have to be at least 18.

Experience is important! Find some open betas for games online and test their games. Start building a portfolio of games you have tested! Get known by the community by being active on their forums. It also wouldn’t hurt to broaden your knowledge of the game industry’s business side

After writing this I noticed you were 15. Be sure to have an open mind about all types of games. If you do get a job with EA or Sierra in the future they may not always hand you a game you like.

Check out the link below

Good Luck!!

-Fox

admin answers:

Yes it can be good depending on what company you work for.

If you want to be one you should probably live in/around Silicon Valley.

Normally you test a particular game and therefore only work under a fulltime contract for so many months until testing is no longer needed for that game. However companies may rehire you for additional projects.

Game testers make around $9 – $13 an hour.

admin answers:

Backgrounds, texture, cinematic director (cut scenes), sound editing, user interface design, character and/or vehicle design.

Just start your favorite console or pc game and start writing what you see and hear on the screen. There are so many layers to what you see/hear on the screen that you’ll be surprised.

admin answers:

Put an add on monster.com they hooked me up…:D

admin answers:

Here are the game developers in Vegas

Company Website City State / Province Country
Jet Set Games www.jetsetgames.net Las Vegas Nevada United States
Konami Gaming www.gaming.konami.com Las Vegas Nevada United States
Petroglyph www.petroglyphgames.com Las Vegas Nevada United States

Gambling places may need testers too.

Go to this site and sign up for their newsletter

http://www.powerupgames.com/

Watch out for internet article marketing sites that are trying to sell you an ebook, subscription, or list
They look like this http://www.affiliatebling.com/gamer-testing-ground/ or

http://www.only4gamers.com/affiliates.html

Verify all your game testing information sources.

Http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-3-Hints-to-Avoid-Game-Tester-Gimmicks&id=5586475

If you want a college course in game testing here is one.
Http://www.gameinstitute.com/PowerUp_Games_Video_Game_Testing.html