| When a game developer announces a few video | | | | tactics used by game testers, take one of the |
| game tester job openings, your best chance of | | | | online e-courses that are available to become |
| getting one of those jobs is to be a relative or | | | | more familiar with all the useful techniques |
| close personal friend of someone who already | | | | offered. Remember, concentration and attention |
| works there. Cynical? Yes. True. Again, yes. For | | | | to detail are the keys to game testing success. |
| those of you who don't have that advantage, the | | | | Step 3: Submit Your Findings |
| plan is a little less straightforward, but known to | | | | When you have completed testing a game |
| work. Following the three steps given below is | | | | thoroughly, submit all of the documentation that |
| your best chance at securing one of those video | | | | you created during testing. You can also add a |
| game tester job openings; the job of your | | | | summary of your general impression of the game |
| dreams. | | | | and its ease of use. Time is crucial to game |
| Step 1: Make a Connection | | | | developers. Make sure that they acknowledge |
| Write a letter to several video game developers | | | | receipt of your documentation, otherwise your |
| to let them know about your interest in one of | | | | may have trouble with payment. Once your |
| their video game tester job openings. List the | | | | testing documentation has been reviewed and |
| games that you have played and your level of | | | | approved, you should be receiving a check for |
| expertise. Tell them how much you enjoy playing | | | | services. If you did an acceptable job, you can |
| these games and how serious you are about | | | | expect more testing jobs to follow. |
| wanting to help make these games better by | | | | Once you become adept at finding software |
| testing them. If you found out about a possible | | | | bugs, you'll find game testing to be an interesting |
| opening on a company website, be sure to | | | | and rewarding job. You really don't want the |
| mention that in the letter. With luck, you may get | | | | games that you test to be flawed, but it is |
| some games to test, and launch your career. | | | | exciting to be the technical sleuth that finds errors |
| Step 2: Learn About and Test the Games | | | | where they exist. Better you than a future buyer. |
| If you are selected to fill one of the video game | | | | Pay can fall within the $20 to $150 per day range, |
| tester job openings, games will be delivered to | | | | depending upon your experience and work history. |
| your home by mail or UPS. Before you begin | | | | Some companies offer extra benefits or bonuses |
| playing any of the games, study any manuals that | | | | to those who find the most bugs. One great |
| come with them. Make sure that you understand | | | | benefit for avid players is you'll learn some of the |
| the game's theme and playing goals. Test the | | | | secret cheat codes. You may also be lucky |
| games methodically. Repeat testing until you have | | | | enough to be able to keep the beta game |
| exhausted every possible approach to the game, | | | | versions that you've tested. It's an all around |
| trying all possible strategies to try to break it. | | | | great deal! Follow the above steps to ensure that |
| Document any problems that you notice, including | | | | you have the best possible chance to fill one of |
| any strange unexpected game behavior. If you're | | | | those video game tester job openings that pop |
| not experienced in the various schemes and | | | | up now and then. |