Gaming Jobs Online is the latest video game tester site to hit the market. After a few months of sitting on the side lines and seeing how the website progressed, I’ve decided to write up my review.

The Home Page

Go to GamingJobsOnline.com and you will see a glossy website with lots of information showing you the benefits of being a video game tester and how much you could earn.

Anyway, when you do hit the join now button you land on a page that has some relevant information. Well it’s actually just a quick checklist of what they are offering in their membership.

The good news is there’s a $1 trial membership for you to try it out for a week.

The bad news is this is a membership site that requires you to pay $27 per month thereafter.

I don’t want to write it off just yet because the membership itself might actually be awesome!

Inside The members Area

O.K. so you pay your money and will eventually receive an email with your username and password in order to access the member’s area. It took over 24 hours for my email to arrive. This in itself is very poor and I would expect instant access (especially as that was 1 day less of my 7 day trial!)

The members area is nice and easy to navigate and lots of big icons to tell you what each section is about.

The first icon is for the ‘Gaming Jobs Database’ (more on that later).

The second icon takes you to a list of paid, online surveys! WTF?! There’s me thinking this was a site about video game tester jobs!

The third icon reads – ‘Paid Content’. This takes you to a list of companies that pay you for writing reviews on all sorts of products. Again – not what we came here for.

The next icon says ‘Free Games’. Well we all like free games right? Still bugger all to do with video game tester jobs though! This link takes us to a list of 3 companies that you can get a free trial of 7 to 30 days to receive game rentals.

The fifth and sixth icons are for ‘Free DVDs’ and ‘Free Magazines’. Don’t even get me started here! This is total bullsh*t.

It gets funnier though! The next icon is for Free Bonuses! Bonuses for what? Well to give you an idea as to the mindset of these people, here’s one of your free bonuses:

—————————————————————

Durex Condoms

http://www.trydurex.com/durex_contest

Get samples and win Durex Ultimate Variety Packs.

—————————————————————

This is the exact wording!

The eighth icon is for gaming job news. Well at least we might find some useful information here…mmm Nope!

The gaming job news is a simply a news feed of current affairs! Absolutely NOTHING to do with the video games industry.

The last icon is a ‘Contact Us’ button. The only thing that is good for is to ask the owners why they feel they can justify in charging $27 a month, for literally nothing in return! Unbelievable!

Gaming Jobs DataBase

Now I’ve left the first icon button until now, and that’s the ‘Gaming Jobs Database’.

To me this is the most important area of joining such a site because it really can provide you with dozens of new video game job openings.

So if the guys and gals at GamingJobsOnline came up trumps with this area, I might have just forgiven them (a little) with the crap they’ve produced so far.

So, on clicking the icon I get taken to a list of potential jobs and a list of jobs by various video game companies.

When I clicked on the first company – Activision Blizzard – I get a broken link. Not a good start.

The second company Atlus gives me a link to a marketing and PR job that was advertised in June 2011 and was for a temporary job lasting 6-8 weeks. Out of date!

Last chance and I hit the link for Disney. The first job vacancy was for a Lead Character Artist! Hell why not! Let’s see what it says… here’s what it said on the page it took me to: The requisition you were trying to access does not exist.

Three strikes and you’re out! This has got to be a joke!

Conclusion

So there you have it folks – that’s my review of GamingJobsOnline! It might be a tough decision for you whether you want to join this $27 a month membership site.

The only saving grace this site has, is that you get a trial membership of 7 days for $1. Plus you get an unconditional 60 day money back guarantee. I personally want my dollar back!

I really dislike this site because all they are interested in is trying to get you to sign up to companies like paid surveys and free trials so they can make money through their links. It has nothing to do with helping you find video game tester jobs or the video game industry.

For a site that does produce the goods and is updated constantly visit my number 1 recommended choice – BecomeAGameTester. Tell Matthew I sent ya!

~ Pete Wotton

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>> Click Here To Visit Become A Video Game Tester Website <<

It’s taken me some time to write a review for this game testing site, mainly because previous companies I’ve reviewed when they first launched actually closed down within the first 12 months or less!

So I’ve been quietly watching the developments at BecomeAGameTester.com to see how they’ve managed their site and more importantly what they provide to guys like you, who are looking to break into the video game tester job market.

Here’s My Review..

The first thing that struck me was the sleek looking website. I have to say it does look good and it does promise quite a bit!

However all the bells and whistles and fancy graphics don’t mean sh*t if they fail to deliver once you’ve paid your money.

Inside The Members Area

As soon as your payment is processed you are taken directly to the member’s area. This is fine, but I suggest you copy and save the URL of the member’s area just in case you get logged out. (You will receive a confirmation email of the members website address).

Become A Game Tester Book

The author – Matthew Johnson has written a very comprehensive report on the main aspects of becoming a video game tester.

The report is 80 pages long and contains a lot of useful tips and advice that will help you prepare for and find a game testing job.

Here’s a sneaky peak into what the report covers:

• Introduction
• 22 Requirements of becoming a video game tester
• 22 Skills you should have or be willing to learn
• Qualifications that will help you in the gaming industry. (Some companies insist on certain qualifications)
• Experience and how to gain it before you apply for jobs. (Again, some companies will require you to have prior experience)
• What type of work you can expect as a game tester
• How to improve your skills/knowledge
• Beta testing and what’s involved
• A list of Beta testing sites
• How to establish yourself as a gaming expert – These tips will make you stand out in your application form
• How and where to find testing jobs
• A list of gaming job sites
• A huge list of gaming companies in and outside the US. (This is the most comprehensive list I have seen and will save you a lot of research)
• How to write a winning resume, including a little tip that could make all the difference
• Preparing for the interview
• How to Ace the interview
• Inside the minds of gaming companies – what they are really looking for

As you can see this is a well put together report and contains some real neat tips that I’ve not seen before.

The first and most important step for breaking into the video game industry is to be fully prepared and understand exactly what you need to do and what the game companies are looking for.

Matthew’s report covers every base! There really isn’t anything else I could add to it in my experiences, and it will give you every chance of securing that dream job.

Life-Time Game Tester Job Search Membership

So here’s where the exciting and potentially life changing part comes in!

The game tester job search database is just that. It is a continually updated list of current video game industry, job vacancies. And there are dozens and dozens of them!

Now you need to understand that this database includes a whole raft of various jobs in the gaming industry, not just video game testing jobs. But there are plenty of testing jobs being advertised.

Here’s an example of a testing job advert I found:

“This game tester Position Features: flexible hours easy access off the freeway fun working environment Great Pay to 46KImmediate need for game tester seeking flexible hours, easy access off the freeway and fun working environment.

Excellent computer skills and knowledge, ability to multi task and detail oriented will be keys to success in this growing, stable, high tech organization.

Will be responsible for working with other team players, technical support and creative feedback for Electronics, Components, and Semiconductor Mfg company.

Great benefits. Apply for this great position as a game tester today. We are an equal employment opportunity employer.”

There are dozens of adverts like this posted every day and your one-time fee that you pay for BecomeAGameTester.com gives you lifetime access to this database.

Not only do you get to hear about any new job vacancies that come about, you also get an understanding of what these companies are looking for, just by the way they word their advert.

You also get an idea of what other roles you may like to pursue in the industry. There are admin jobs, graphic designers, programmers/coders, marketers, producers, sound engineers – the list goes on.

I’ve said it before – a lot of game testing jobs are advertised internally before they even go public. So even if you had a job as an assistant or some admin job, it means you’re in that environment and well placed to get a video game testing job.

Bonus Reports

On top of your 80 page report and life-time game tester job search database, Matthew and his team also give away 3 cracking bonuses:

Bonus 1

8 Steps To Becoming A Paid Video Game Reviewer

Reviewing video games is a great way to earn regular money but it is also a great way of establishing yourself as an industry expert. These 8 steps show you what to do.

Bonus 2

10 Steps To Getting Your First Game Testing Job

This is a pocket sized checklist of the main report. It also has a few extra tips for how to prepare and be successful in the interview.

Bonus 3 

How To Become A Video Game Designer

Got designs on even bigger and better things? A video game designer does what it says on the tin. This little report shows you what skills and qualifications you need to make it with one of the big companies.

Customer Support

Ever spent good money on a product or service only to be ignored if you have any questions or complaints? Customer support is one of my biggest ‘bug bears’.

I hate bad customer service and bad customer support and made a point of testing the response time of the customer support at BecomeAGameTester.com to a pretty basic question.

Here’s the skinny – Matthew himself got back to me in less than 2 hours! Now that’s impressive, and left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside! (O.K. not like that!)

Conclusion

We’ve found ourselves a winner folks!

BecomeAGameTester.com scores top marks for the well put together 80 page report which deals with all the basics you need to ‘know’ and ‘do’, in order to become a video game tester.

It scores top marks for the very impressive life-time game tester job search database. This information is vital for applying for jobs, and the entire info gathering is done for you.

The bonus reports are well worth reading and give plenty of ‘food for thought’.

The customer support is excellent!

The price point for all this information is a steal and if you are serious about becoming a video game tester, then grab this package with both hands.

I can promise you this – There isn’t a better resource than this – anywhere. If there was, I’d be telling you about it!

>> Check out the website now – www.BecomeAGameTester.com – You won’t be disappointed!<<

~ Pete Wotton

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Best regards,

Pete Wotton

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Video game testers are often looked upon as a bunch of teenage geeks sitting around playing video games all day long!

This however couldn’t be further from the truth, and there are plenty of other common myths surrounding them.

The problem is, it is hard for the majority of people to believe that testing video games could be a real job. I can assure you that it most definitely is a real job and is not what the vast majority of people believe it to be.

Let me dispel some of the most common myths surrounding this group of individuals:

Myth: Video game testers do not exist.

Truth: Video game testing is a legitimate position which many people hold each and every day. Large and small video game production and development companies hire individuals to test games in an effort to work out the bugs and kinks or to test prototypes before the final product is released.

Myth: Video game testers work for free.

Truth: All video game tester jobs provide compensation for those who work to review and perfect their products. Some game testers are paid on an hourly basis, while others get a fee per job. However, all of them are compensated in some shape or form for their time and effort.

In fact the more experienced you are, the more money you’ll earn.

Truth: No formal education whatsoever is required in order to test video games. In fact, what game companies look for most is a good attitude, a desire for game play, and a willingness to give truthful feedback in the hopes of providing the best product possible.

Some companies will ask for formal qualifications, but don’t let this put you off applying. Quite often they do this to limit the number of applications they get.

Myth: You have to be related or have close contact to someone in the industry to become a video game tester.

Truth: Another common mis-truth. The fact is that most companies will not hire relatives of their workers to be a video game tester. Instead, they open the job up to anyone, and welcome a fresh viewpoint that is able to be objective in nature.

Having a contact on the inside certainly helps and it would do your chances of becoming a game tester no harm at all if you managed to form a working relationship with someone on the ‘inside’.

Myth: You have to pay a lot of money to land a game testing job.

Truth: While it is true that certain membership websites and guides can help you land a game testing job much quicker, these guides and sites are often very reasonably priced and certainly will not break the bank.

I personally recommend you join a dedicated website specifically to help you get a game testing job. The best site on the market is BecomeAGameTester. You can read my review here.

Myth: Video game testers have to live in a certain area in order to be hired.

Truth: Video game companies hire individuals from all walks of life, and from countries all around the world.

Some companies will even offer you the opportunity to work from home. It all depends on what type of testing is required and over what time frame. This can work out beneficial to the games company and the individual.

Video game testers are hired nationwide each day, in an effort to develop the best games and systems possible. The debunked myths above are just a few surrounding these coveted positions, and are what often stop people from pursuing their dreams, and becoming a video game tester themselves.

~ Pete Wotton

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Fortunately, all of the various companies, including those such as Sony, Sega, and Microsoft, need individuals just like you, to test all of their new and upcoming games.

So, where exactly can you apply to be a video game tester? The advice in this article and in other articles on this site will help you learn where to apply in order to land your dream job.

Join a Video Game Tester Website

If you’re deadly serious about becoming a game tester, you need to take serious action. And the first step involves joining one of the websites available online which allow you to pay a small fee, to stay informed about all of the many video game testing positions that become available.

These websites make it their business to know who is hiring at that specific time and what the requirements are. They also provide you with the information of where to apply for no additional charge. This type of ‘up to date’ service is a real god-send as it will save you a ton of time and wasted energy.

I have personally listed and reviewed the best of these websites for you to make your own mind up as to whether you want to join one.

I recommend you at least take a look as these sites as they do provide an excellent service. My top recommendation is: BecomeAGameTester.

Ask Your Contacts

This is probably more for people who have already had 1 or 2 game testing jobs and are looking for more work. If you have managed to build up a list of contacts in the video game industry, it is a good idea to keep in touch with them and ask them to notify you if an available position comes up.

By doing this, you can ensure that you have first-hand knowledge whenever a position arises, and you can apply to be a game tester for that specific company right away.

Be Pro-Active

A great way to take the application process into your own hands in order to become a game tester is to send queries out yourself.
To begin this process, you must first create a resume and query letter that will grab the attention of the human resources individuals. Try using eye catching phrases, or putting a new twist on your query letter. Getting someone to look at your credentials is only half the battle.

This method can actually be quite successful if your letter arrives around about the same time as a new opening becomes available.

You approach might seem quite bold and will highlight your ambition/determination. This could well lead to an interview. Finding the contact information for the various companies you wish to submit to should be a piece of cake. Most major video game publishers and developers have their contact information readily available on their websites.

All you have to do is located an email or physical address, (a written letter is always better) send your queries out, and see what happens.

Attend Trade Fairs

Video game conventions are another wonderful place where you can apply to be a game tester.

At these events, various companies will often have booths with information about upcoming games available. They also may have sign-up sheets for those interested in testing their new games.

Even if testing applications are not available at a particular booth, it still provides the perfect opportunity to build contacts within the industry. You never know what doors can open just by talking to someone in the inside.

If you have been searching for information on where you can apply to be a game tester, then the information above can provide you with all of the details you need.

Achieving your dream job doesn’t have to be complicated and a few of my insider tips should help you along!

~ Pete Wotton

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There are many individuals both young and old who strive to become a video game tester each day. While video game testing positions are available to the public, they are not always easy to find.

I’ve written a series of steps you can take that will help you in preparing for a job as a game tester:

1. Sharpen Your Gaming Skills

Having a better understand of the various types of video games and systems will allow you a better chance of getting the job of your dreams. Although great skills are not required, there are far more people trying to get these jobs at the beginner level than at the advanced one, and if you have good skills on different gaming platforms you may blow some of the competition away.

2. Get to Know People

People within the video game industry have access to information way before it becomes public knowledge. Do your best to get to know some of the people in the industry, even if it is just a secretary at a gaming company. This will allow you first-hand knowledge when a video game testing position becomes available.

If possible try and contact a current video game tester and start to build up some sort of professional relationship. You’ll be amazed at what doors will open if you have insider knowledge!

3. Develop a Resume

Although it is not necessary to have experience or schooling in order to become a video game tester, a resume allows you to look more professional when you apply for available positions.

Make sure it’s up to date and relevant to the gaming industry. List your skills as a gamer as well as your academic achievements.

4. Purchase a Guide

Guides are available for those who wish to be employed by video game companies as testers. These guides are generally created by others who have found their dream jobs, and are trying to help others find theirs as well.

They usually do not cost very much, and can provide invaluable tips on how to locate and land a good paying testing job.

5. Join a Website

Many different memberships sites are dedicated to helping people realize their dreams to become a video game tester. These sites will provide you with information on job openings throughout the industry for a low monthly fee. They also provide help and advice through their forums as well.

I personally believe this is the absolute best way to land a job as a game tester. I have reviewed most of the sites already and can recommend BecomeAGameTester.com

As well as providing current job opportunities, they also offer a lifetime membership for just one low payment.

6. Attend Job Fairs

If you live near a local video game developer or manufacturer, it might be a good idea to head to the local job fairs. Often, these companies will set up booths in order to recruit testers who live near them and fit the demographics they are looking for.

Again the website I recommend above will have details of these type of job fairs in your area.

7. Strength in Numbers

There is most certainly strength in numbers. If you want to become a video game tester, than it is best to apply to as many different positions and places as possible. This will allow you a greater overall chance of being hired.

8. Promote Yourself

Instead of waiting for an open testing position to present itself, you can take matters into your own hands and begin to promote yourself. This is a wonderful way to get your name out there and let companies know that you are serious about working for them.

Don’t be too pushy, but don’t take no for an answer either!

9. Take What You Can Get

If you want to become a video game tester, then you can’t scoff at certain jobs. If a company offers you a job testing a video game of any kind you should take it, even if it is not the type of game you enjoy. This will at least get your foot in the door.

10. Don‘t Give Up

The search for a video game testing position can be a long and tedious one. It can be easy to become discouraged when you do not land a job after several months of searching. If you keep at it though and don’t give up, you will one day land that dream job!

Those who want to become a video game tester sometimes have a very long road in front of them. Although there are testing jobs available, they are often difficult to locate. If you follow the top ten tips above however, you may find yourself testing video games much sooner than you thought.

I’m rooting for ya!

~ Pete Wotton

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People who apply for game testing positions are sometimes, but not always, required to meet certain educational or experience requirements.

However, there are four basic skills that you should possess if you want to become a video game tester. Without these important skills not only will you not be so good at your job, but you will not enjoy it either:

1. Ability to Follow Directions

Many individuals mistakenly think that game testing is all fun and no work. This is not true though. In fact, you must be able to follow a detailed set of instructions in order to get the work done properly.

When testing games, there are certain things that must be done and questionnaires and forms that must be filled out at key times throughout the process.

2. Good Communication and Written Skills

In order to be good at game testing, you must be able to write and communicate to a good standard. The written reports that have to be filled out need to not only be readable, but also convey your opinions and concerns about any bugs you might find within the game.

Without good communication, your work will not be understood. The ability to write with proper grammar and punctuation is important, as others will depend on your answers in order to fix the problems and improve various aspects of the video game before its final release.

3. An Ability to Do Repetitive Tasks

When it comes to video game testing, you need to have the ability to perform repetitive tasks without getting bored. Often, you do very little actually playing of the games at all. Certainly not in the fun way you normally do at home. Your routine might consist of doing and redoing the same things several times in a row in order to ensure accuracy.

For instance, you may have to play the same level of a game over and over until you are able to make it all the way through. Even if you get frustrated, you may not have the option to quit, as every aspect of the game needs to be checked for bugs.

4. A Real Love for the Video Games

If you do not have a real love for video games, you will likely not like game testing. In order to do the repetitive motions and documentation involved with testing games, it is necessary that you truly like being involved in the creation and perfection of the products.

Sure, you can’t be expected to love every game you test, but you must have a desire to keep at it, even if you think the game actually sucks! Don’t worry, a new product will soon come along that you’ll really enjoy testing.

Like I said video game testing opportunities are there to be had, but before you run off to apply for one, make sure you posses these 4 key skills.

If you do, then you’re ready for the next step.. start contacting gaming companies.

Make sure you read some of my articles first. Once you’re satisfied that you really want to become a video game tester, the next step is to read my review of the best website currently on the market that will provide you with all the up to date resources and openings in the game testing market.

Good luck!

~ Pete Wotton

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To most people, video game testing sounds like the ideal set up, and they have deluded ideas about what is involved.

So is a job as a video game tester all it is cracked up to be, or are people who have ideas of grandeur about this type of position just living in a fairytale world?

Here are the facts to set things straight about game testing:

Not as Easy as it Looks

The first thing that you need to realize when it comes to video game testing is that it is not as simple as it looks. In truth, it is not just fun and games as many may think. It is only natural to assume that all a video game tester does is play video games mindlessly every day. However, there is actually a much more detailed list of instructions and tasks that they must follow and complete in order to get paid for the work they do.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

If you are going to get into video game testing, you will need to understand the work you will get paid to do. You will not simply spend all your time playing video games. In fact, there are many times when a video game controller will be replaced with a pen and paper, as you are required to fill out various testing forms and questionnaires.

Some of the forms will be simple, and will only require you to answer questions about the game, or to input your opinions at various levels of play. However, the forms can get a bit more difficult when you are asked to report any bugs or problems you may come across.

Trying to explain to the developers of the game exactly what went wrong and how, can be a tedious task that takes quite a bit of time.

How Much Will You Make?

Most video game testing positions are not full time. Companies usually hire testers, and then bring them in only on a per-job as needed basis. This allows them to get the service they need when they need it, and avoid paying for hours that are wasted. However, there are some general guidelines that you can use to get an idea of an hourly rate while working on an assignment.

Beginners will be paid between $10-15 per hour generally, while intermediate and advanced level players can receive anywhere from $20-50 or more per hour.

Becoming a video game tester may not be all that you had in mind. Many people picture video game testing as a lucrative way to get rich while doing something that they love.

While it is true that you can have fun testing games, it is important to note that there is real work involved, and that the rates are not always what people might have had in mind.

But once you’ve been working for one of the big game companies and have developed a good working relationship, you can start to apply for other, more advanced jobs that only become available to people already employed with the company.

This is when you can really start to think about a lucrative, full time career.

There are many, different video game jobs that require young, talented individuals. Some require formal qualifications whereas some can be obtained with on the job training.

Video game testing can be just the start to a whole new world within the awesome games industry.

Trust me, once you’re in - the world’s your oyster!

~ Pete Wotton

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The rise in the amount of game testers that are needed is directly tied to the recent growth in the gaming industry.

Not only are new systems and games being developed in the United States, but the gaming market is flourishing in countries all around the world as well.

Despite the recent changes in the economy, the video game industry continues to outdo itself each year, and that is why they need you.

What is the Role of a Video Game Tester?

Video game testers, wanted for both their love of products and for their attention to detail, are needed by game developers and manufacturers in order to ensure the quality of the product before it hits the market. As a tester, it will be your job to not only play the games, but to fill out a variety of forms that are both questionnaires and reports about any bugs or mechanical malfunctions you may find within the product.

Why Hire Testers?

Many people often wonder why gaming companies put out “game testers wanted” ads when they have perfectly good employees already at hand. The answer is simple. These companies need individuals who are completed unbiased, and who can provide feedback that is similar to what regular consumers would say if given the chance to play the game. This gives companies an idea of whether the game needs more work, or if it is ready to hit the market as is.

How Much Do They Pay?

Although you will not break the bank with what you are paid as a video game tester, there is some profit in the position. By hiring testers on an ‘as needed’ basis and paying per job instead of per hour, video game companies are conserving their resources.

They save quite a bit of money when they do this, as opposed to hiring full time employees who may not always have full time work. Broken down into an hourly wage, testers are initially paid around $10-20 per hour while working.

Why Are the Jobs Hard to Find?

It may be possible to come across a “game testers wanted” ad every once in a while, but for the most part these ads are hard to find. Sometimes video game tester jobs do not even become public knowledge before they are filled by others who had contacts within the company.

So why are the jobs hard to find if the gaming companies need testers? They are hard to locate because if they were openly available, the company would be bombarded with millions of queries in a matter of hours.

When video game companies need someone to test their latest product, they will resort to putting up ads that read “game testers wanted“. The truth is, these companies need people like you in order to ensure the quality of their product once it hits the market, and to save them money over hiring full time employees instead of individuals who work only when they are needed.

The secret is to know what companies hire game testers on a regular basis and where to find them.
The good news is there are a few websites that deal specifically with this issue and have an up to date list of games companies who are hiring.

This is the route I recommend you take and the reason I’ve personally reviewed these sites for you.

Check them out at the bottom of the homepage.

For your information, my top pick is BecomeAGameTester and you can read my review here.

~ Pete Wotton

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