Video Game Tester Job Requirements
On your first day as a video game tester you might have to prove your superior computer expertise.
Many guys have this job right at the top of their career priorities and they tend to underestimate the technical aspects of the gaming world. If you are one of them, then you can expect a rude awakening.
Video Game Tester Job Requirements may involve you having to prove yourself in the following skills –
1) Computer Technicalities
2) Analytical skills
3) Extended working hours under pressure
4) Thinking innovatively
Today’s cool video games usually might take up to 3 years to develop, and testers are normally engaged only during the second half of the process of perhaps even later on some occasions. At this point the tester will receive independent versions and mapping errors to version is of primary importance.
Even though it may appear to others that the tester is actually playing the game version, and to some extent he may believe it too, but in fact this is real hard work.
He is expected to be extremely observant while he plays the game and it is very hard to be enjoying it really, as a gamer, unless you routine it into yourself. You will be expected to find the smallest art defects, malfunctioning as well as the errors in logic and bugs.
This is tougher than it sounds. Since the tester will be testing the game independently, it is his responsibility to guide the programmers into replicating the whole scene or level where the fault exists. You can’t just point it out directly. Many times this might take a lot to write and explain to get the idea right.
A tester is expected to be a top-notch gamer as well as a seasoned computer expert. Many gamers commonly overemphasize their own gaming talent as their usefulness to the team. He is actually just expected to step in the shoes of a new 1st time gamer which is a totally different skill.
If you think you have the quality and aptitude to do this type of a job the following is some important advice.
1) Marketing yourself is extremely important in the beginning. A new tester should try and make as many contacts and applications as possible. At the same time, do not totally depend on the websites and papers to do the job for you. Search for personalized contacts. If someone recommends you, you have a 90% more chance of getting the job rather than through standard application procedures.
So develop a lot of contacts in the gaming world while you’re enjoying your free days.
2) Most jobs would want you to do really specific work. Pay attention to these details and get your interpretations clarified from the seniors. It is very easy to get carried away after reading about your favorite game. Do not fall in this harm’s way.
3) Even though the job by default may not require a lot of qualification, don’t ignore education if you can get it. Highly educated applicants get preference over the less educated ones.
You can start preparing for an amazing future as a video game tester right now.
The articles and advice I provide you with on this site, is your first step.. go for it!
~ Pete Wotton
