Most game lovers have thought about pursuing the video game testing career. The game industry is quickly attracting the attention of many, thanks to technological advancements all over the world. While this dreamy job is appealing to the eye, it is not an easy path to walk. To work in major game studios right from a front-line game tester position to a manager and leader of entire testing teams takes a lot of work. Here is a guide on how you can successfully become a pro in video game testing:
Learn what video game testers do
A video game tester works for video game companies with the task of thoroughly testing games to make sure they are free of bugs and glitches that can be problematic for the players. Technically, the goal is never just to play a game. A video game tester must explore all aspects of a game, testing one character after the other, and moving from one level to another, to break the game. In learning the task ahead of you, you can prepare by finding interest in all there is to games.
Invest in the right equipment
Before you get hired as a video game tester, you need to polish up on your creativity and approaches in playing. As you work through these processes, you must invest in the right gaming equipment to facilitate your plays. It is not enough that you have a monitor and a mouse. You need a quersus gaming chair, a good pair of headsets, a proper gaming desk, to mention a few accessories. Even though when your employer might provide for with equipment to work with, dare to spend a couple of dollars on setting up your gaming empire.
Spend time practicing
There is a lot to do as a game tester than as a gamer, which means you need to have a foundational experience with video games. You have to come up with new tactics that will help you maneuver the different levels of a game before they are released to the market. Right before you pursue this career path, start exploring the games you are playing, as you go through all the menus and hurdles. Remember you must be in a position to take actions that a typical user would not take as they play the same game.
Try the different genres of games
Usually, gamers are specific to the genre of games they enjoy. As a video game tester, you cannot afford to be choosy about the games that interest you. A successful video game tester is open-minded enough to consider the different opportunities that will come their way. Try different genres and make creativity your currency to get by the various hurdles.
Gather more skillsets
As a video game tester, you cannot thrive only by knowing how to play resources in adding certain skills to help you in your new career path. Among some skills you need are:
- Strong writing and communication skills – very resourceful for submitting reports based on the glitches found in the game
- Basic troubleshooting – you may not be needed to fix the glitches in the game, but you will need some troubleshooting skills to get by the different hurdles for you to submit a conclusive analysis. Further, you may be required to recreate the sequence that led to the glitch.
- A strong knack for details – to hunt down any problems there is to a game, whether big or small.
- A strong work ethic – to make it in this industry, and be successful as a video game tester, you need a strong work ethic to meet deadlines, remain tenacious and deliver quality work.
Take a relevant course
Since most of the skills you need for this kind of job cannot be acquired just from sitting at home and playing tons of game, choose a degree or diploma programme that will teach you a thing or two about the gaming industry. Possible degrees you can consider include Game design, Software development, Software design, Software engineering, Computer programming, to mention a few.