| Many people make a living as a video game beta | | | | game from start to finish or playing one level |
| tester. What this means is that they get paid to | | | | over & over & again. It really just |
| find bugs in beta versions of upcoming video | | | | depends on the information the developer needs. |
| games. The reason for this is quite simple. For the | | | | Once you get your assignment, it's time to go to |
| game company, it is financially beneficial to pay | | | | work. Complete the assignment, fill out the form |
| professional game testers to thoroughly test a | | | | or questionnaire, and then mail it back to the |
| game and all of it's features so that it meets | | | | game developer. It's important to be fast with |
| consumer expectations, and so that it is the best | | | | your video game testing and, at the same time, |
| quality that can possibly be achieved. | | | | you must be professional as well. With that being |
| Generally speaking, here's how you get started: | | | | said, get the work done quickly but make sure it |
| you contact a few game developers & | | | | is done accurately and without mistakes. After |
| game companies and you persuade them to hire | | | | they have received your report, you will be issued |
| you as a beta tester. In a nutshell, that's basically | | | | a check in the mail. Typically, the checks are paid |
| what needs to be done. Sounds simple, right? | | | | every other week to the video game beta tester. |
| Unfortunately though, it is much easier said than | | | | To be a good game tester, you have to have an |
| done. | | | | eye for detail, as well as the ability to play certain |
| The best way to "persuade" these companies and | | | | parts of a game repeatedly. At the same time, |
| developers is by showing them your | | | | you have to be able to properly document errors |
| overwhelming amount of expertise in the video | | | | and glitches that you find, which will be done via |
| game industry; things like your skill level as a | | | | the bug reporting form. |
| gamer, your ability to accurately document | | | | When it comes to getting started and finding your |
| glitches and bugs, your ability to follow instructions | | | | first video game tester job, there are two paths |
| to the letter, and so on and so forth. Occasionally, | | | | you can walk. Path 1: You go out on your own |
| it means making them an offer they can't refuse, | | | | and do everything completely by yourself without |
| such as testing a few video games for free | | | | any help from anyone or anything. Path 2: You |
| (GULP). Why test them for free? Well, to get | | | | research and read through the numerous |
| your foot in the door and show them that your a | | | | resources & testing guides in order to find a |
| dedicated tester that just loves to play video | | | | "tried, tested, and proven" approach that others |
| games. Remember, they are looking for true blue | | | | have achieved success with. Obviously, the path |
| game testers that can be remarkably efficient | | | | you choose is up to you, but personally, I'd go |
| when testing video games. | | | | with option 2. Why? Because video game testing |
| When you begin landing video game tester jobs, | | | | is an industry made up of teams, not solo |
| you are generally sent a free copy in the mail as | | | | gamers. Plus, why would you want to "reinvent |
| well as a questionnaire and "report" to fill out. | | | | the wheel" when you can just improve upon it? |
| Typically, you'll be given an assignment to | | | | There you have it; a quick & simple guide on |
| complete that either involves beating the entire | | | | how to get paid as a video game beta tester. |