| Video game testing is a career path not usually | | | | mindset for what they are doing, and are willing |
| advertised by your average vocational councilor. | | | | to work hard on a daily basis to show that they |
| The truth be told, if you informed him of the | | | | are effective at video game testing. Deadlines are |
| fact, he probably wouldn't advertise it, afraid of | | | | often quite strict, with a lot of overtime, and the |
| getting in trouble for informing people they could | | | | time pressure of the job can be, at times, a bit |
| make a living at something they enjoy, but that is | | | | stressful. |
| normally considered recreation, rather than work. | | | | People will often take short classes on video |
| Regardless, at some point, it occurs to many | | | | game testing from a community college or read a |
| dedicated gaming enthusiasts that it would be | | | | book on the subject before they start trying to |
| great to actually be able to make a living doing | | | | figure out if the career if right for them. This is |
| what they know and love so well - playing video | | | | the best route because without that early |
| games. Be forewarned - you may need to spend | | | | knowledge about what is involved in the career |
| a little time and time and effort into getting a job | | | | and what can be expected when video game |
| video game testing for a living. If it was easy, | | | | testing for a living, many people end up feeling |
| everybody would be doing it - as it stands, | | | | trapped indefinitely in a career they don't enjoy |
| although there are plenty of jobs available, there | | | | due to having an incorrect understanding of what |
| are also plenty of applicants. The key to success | | | | the job and career path entailed. |
| is learning to stand out from the crowd. | | | | Becoming truly effective as a game tester |
| Most game testers work hard with many hours | | | | requires understanding exactly what is required of |
| and average pay from an office somewhere. | | | | you before you even submit your first video |
| However, those that get jobs testing games will | | | | game testing application. This sort of preparation |
| also find that they have a fast track to bigger | | | | will pay off quite well, and is much more to your |
| and better careers in the field that can help them | | | | advantage than simply jumping into the field |
| reach their ultimate career aspirations. That is the | | | | without knowledge of what you are getting into. |
| main reason many jump into game testing and a | | | | Remember, so called dream-jobs are not always |
| primary reason the field is so popular. | | | | what they seem. That doesn't mean such jobs |
| But for those that are just getting started in | | | | are not desirable, but it does mean that they are |
| researching the requirements to start video game | | | | often not as high-paying nor as fun and easy as |
| testing, it is wise to determine beforehand the | | | | people may have been led to believe. This holds |
| necessary steps to take in order to begin building | | | | true specifically for video game testing, especially |
| ones career as a professional game tester. For | | | | at the entry levels. With time and experience, |
| starters, the game testing field requires that men | | | | however, the great pay and benefits will certainly |
| and women be well trained, have the right | | | | come. |