Many gamers are looking for jobs in video game industry. Unfortunately though, most video game jobs require some form of education, be it from a technical school or from college. This is a serious barrier for hardcore gamers, many of whom just want to play video games and get paid for it. Luckily, there is an option available to such gamers; one that requires little to no training. What is it? Professional video game testing.
Unlike with game designing or game programming, one does not need a degree or college education to succeed in game testing. All a person needs to obtain testing jobs in video game industry is the ability to play video games and the ability to spot game glitches (high attention to detail). If the gamer has both those traits, he/she is ready to be a gamer tester right now.
Two Types of Testers
Most people don't know this, but there are two types of video game testers; the at-home tester and the "testing center" game tester. The at-home tester, as you can no doubt guess, works primary from home; while the "testing center" game tester works in a public building with others.
How do the two differ? Well, for one, the at-home tester doesn't have to leave his house to go to work. The second difference is the at-home video game tester won't be working with a team. Aside from those two differences, there really isn't much else. Both types will need to create bug reports on the games they are testing, both will receive free video games, both will get insider information on new games, and both will get paid excellent salaries for their work.
Getting Testing Jobs In Video Game Industry
You won't get any video game tester jobs sitting on your hind-end waiting for game companies to come to you; it's not that easy. Instead, you have to get yourself out there and actively search for new positions that are opening up.
Gaming companies are constantly launching new games, which means they are CONSTANTLY looking for new game testers to test those games. This is where you come in. Get in contact with these companies & developers and tell them what you have to offer. Brag about your experience and how long you've been gaming. The more experience you have with video games, the more they will be impressed and the more likely they will be to hire you.
If you're up for it, tell game developers that you'll test the first few games free of charge. Free game testing may not come with pay, but it is an excellent way to build up your references and your list of contacts.
