How to Become a Video Game Tester

Entry Level Manual Video Game Beta Tester -

Required:

1. Must like to play video games
2. Must be able to identify a bug when one sees one
3. Must be able to compose a decent bug report to hand off to the devs
4. Must be willing to work long hours when the crunch is on to get the thing shipped
5. Decent communication skills, both written and oral, in order to solve complex problems in a collaborative fashion with other team members.

Nice to have:
1. Basic knowledge of PC Hardware, especially video related
2. Ability to install and configure an Operating system
3. Ability to use "ghosting" software to create images of a system. This way,
one can create multiple images on a box of different OS configurations, for testing backwards compatibility with older operating systems.
4. Good troubleshooting skills
5. Some scripting ability (even dos batch file skills go a long way here).

If you have the first 5 skills, you can get on as a level 1 STE (software test engineer) or as a Test Associate. If you have the 2nd 5 skills, you'll probably come on as a level II STE. The more technical skills you have, the higher the starting level, and the higher the pay.

How to Be a Computer Video Game Beta Tester - Helpful Resources
Unfortunately, there is a lot of junk out their by copycat marketers who have never tested a game in their life and are simply trying to make a fast buck exploiting the bad economy and scam people looking for a new career. Do NOT buy or join any games tester job guide or membership site that wasn't written or created by someone with actual industry experience. Fortunately there are two legitimate resources that I can and do recommend to people who are seriously interested in the industry and desire to break into games testing as a career. These guys are the real thing, and WILL help you learn how to be a computer video game beta tester , and most importantly, land your first video game testing job. They are both a fantastic investment for anyone wanting to get into this exciting field.

1. The Become A Game Tester eCourse will teach you everything you need to know to land a video game tester job. Written by a brilliant games designer and developer, this is a do-it-yourself home study course that will give you the knowledge and resources needed to land your first game tester job in less than 60 days.

2. The Gamer Testing Ground Membership Site, created and ran by a really, really good games tester, is perfect if you hope to be a game tester for a new career. Here you will find a ton of resources created by guys with years of hands-on industry experience. You will receive the tools and resources needed not only to land your first testing gig, but to improve your skills and testing knowledge so you can grow in your new career path.

So avoid the junk, hype, lies and the "you can make $100.00 an hour!" bull-pucky; these guys actually know what they are talking about, tell it like it is for real, won't try to scam you with pie-in-the-sky nonsense, and will definitely help you land your first game tester job. But ultimately it is up to you - so get cracking!

A Great Website on Video Games Testing as a Career

Troubleshooting skills are especially valuable when learning how to be a career computer video game beta tester because they will help you identify and narrow down the root causes of the bugs you will find. The closer you can get to the root of the bug, the more the developers will appreciate your work (as then, they don't have to troubleshoot, and can get right to the root of the problem). You will do very well if the developers like you and sing your praises for being able to write a solid bug report!

Basic troubleshooting skills will help you immensely in learning how to write knowledgeable, concise bug reports - a real plus if you want to advance in a game testing career, or move on to more advanced methodologies in software testing as a field, or even becoming a programmer if slinging code is your thing.

Additionally, having at least an introductory knowledge of software testing terminology and concepts will go a long way in an interview. Being able to discuss the differences between black-box and white-box testing, knowing what a test matrix is, how to write a test case, the elements of a good test plan - knowing these things, as well as what the cool video cares are, will go a long way in winning over an interviewer.

I do recommend a couple of great resources that can help you pick up this knowledge - it's a worthwhile investment, and will help immensely in getting started in game testing as a career (I wish they had been around when I first was trying to break into the field and hitting a stone wall). Gamer Testing Ground is awesome, and is actually worth your money - a lot of other people are now trying for the same jobs you are, so any edge you can get will help you be the one to nail the interview and land a video game tester job. Additionally, the "Become A Game Tester eCourse" is a bargain, considering the multiple resources the game designer who wrote this course is providing. These guys are the real deal, and won't try and B.S. you with stories of $120/hr - no experience required fantasies.

During an economic slump like we are currently in, learning how to be a career computer video game beta tester can be a bit more challenging. There will be lots of competition from the legions of newly unemployed, who may also be looking at game testing jobs. In the Seattle area, guys I know and have worked with have taken 10% pay cuts just to stay hired.

Things will pick up again, but for now, you may start out earning a bit less than you would have a couple of years ago. Your best bet if you really want to be a game tester is to educate yourself on the industry before applying. Faced with a choice between someone with some basic computer troubleshooting skills, and someone who just knows how to play Halflife, the employer will probably choose the guy with some tech experience - or at least has taken a couple of classes.

This is why a small investment in one of the legitimate game tester resources currently available can actually be worth your money - a lot of other people are now trying for the same jobs you are, so any edge you can get will help you be the one to nail the interview and land a video game tester job.