| We all know that anyone can become a video | | | | getting a bit more work than the average tester; |
| game tester. The question is: can you be one | | | | work being filling out more reports, questionnaires, |
| from the comfort of your own home? | | | | and other things like that. Is this the case for |
| Many people would have you believe that you | | | | each & every home game tester? No. It |
| can't get video game tester jobs at home. Some | | | | really just depends on the developer or company |
| would say that the only way to be a tester is to | | | | that hired them. |
| apply for a job with a game developer and hope | | | | The other difference is the "gift" factor, which will |
| that you get assigned to a "testing" position. | | | | usually leave the tester with a new video game |
| Others will say that you have to go specifically to | | | | after each job is completed. Testing centers |
| testing centers in order to get a testing job. | | | | won't usually give out free copies of a video |
| Which group is right? Well, they are both right and | | | | game, nor will most developers. Although, for an |
| they are both wrong. Although those two | | | | at-home tester, receiving a free copy of a game |
| methods will work in getting a video game tester | | | | is expected. |
| job, they are not the "only" methods of getting | | | | There are two ways an at-home video game |
| one. The other method is, of course, being a | | | | tester can receive a game: he will either just keep |
| game tester from home. | | | | the copy he was given to test or he will receive a |
| Yes, contrary to what you may have heard, you | | | | complimentary copy when the game is |
| can actually be a video game tester from the | | | | completely finished. Either way though, he will still |
| comfort of your home. However, the downside is | | | | get a copy to keep. Game developers are very |
| that there aren't as many options for a home | | | | busy, which means they don't bother with |
| tester as there are for other testers. Though the | | | | requests for testers to send back each tested |
| job market may be plentiful for many game | | | | game. Therefore, when you are done testing a |
| testers, it is a bit more barren for home testers. | | | | game, you just send your reports to them and |
| Is that to say a home video game tester will | | | | then add the game to your collection. So basically, |
| have great difficulty finding a job? No, not at all. It | | | | the more tester jobs you get, the more video |
| only means that they must try harder and look | | | | games you will get to keep; sounds great, doesn't |
| for gaming companies and developers that are | | | | it? |
| actually open to home testing. | | | | There may be some “cons” to being a |
| The differences between an at-home video game | | | | home video game tester, but the “pros” |
| tester and a regular tester are few. However, | | | | outweigh them in a big way. Being able to play |
| those few are significant to say the least. Aside | | | | video games and get paid for it, at home no less, |
| from the obvious convenience factor that comes | | | | is a beautiful thing. As a matter of fact, it's a |
| from working at home, there is also the work | | | | dream job for most gamers. Unfortunately for |
| & "gift" factor. | | | | most of them, though, a dream job is all it will |
| Generally speaking, home testers are prone to | | | | ever be. |