What Is A Game Tester?

While many individuals are avid video game devotees, a much smaller percentage have an understanding of the games’ development process, or the different types of roles that need to be filled in order to create a product as complex as a video game. This article will discuss one especially interesting role in the video game development world-- the job of a game tester.

There are some people who absolutely love playing video games. Naturally, the perfect field for this person would be a career in Video Game Testing. While it is fun work, it is also a serious job. Game testers are responsible for testing the video game through all the steps while it is still in the development phase. Since the game may be full of bugs, it is essential for a game tester to have patience. Game testers must be organized and disciplined because they need to follow strict procedures. This job is not just about generating the highest score, but rather following a precise course of action to determine if the game is functioning as intended. An eye for detail is a must in this position, as is a cursory understanding of Game Programming and Game Design , so that any flaw found can be documented and fixed before the finished product is sent to market. Video game testing is serious business. All game testers must have a working knowledge of computer hardware and software. In addition, excellent communication skills are needed so that testers can note the flaws in the game and evaluate/communicate its overall performance to designers. Therefore, testers must possess great eye-hand coordination and effective communication skills. Bringing a new video game into the marketplace is time-consuming and expensive.
Writers create the game's characters, and illustrators give them life. Code programmers create the world the characters will operate in. Typically, game testers are introduced to the video game early in the development process to help iron out flaws along the way. Game testers are called on often during the development stage to test the game at certain intervals and ensure quality. Video game developers take the game testing process seriously. Should a flawed game be sent to store shelves it can cost the manufacturer in terms of both lost revenue and a tarnished reputation. Hardcore video game enthusiasts want their games to work perfectly. Lose the gamers trust, and the video game company risks losing market share. Yes, video game testing is serious business, and the worst case scenario is recalling a defective video game from store shelves. Game testers are problem-finders. Some game testers only test the software, while others test for hardware compatibility and potential issues. Repetitive testing is applied to make sure problems do not crop up. If problems do arise, it might only happen in certain situations, and the tester is responsible for finding and noting the defect. Hardware tests might be implemented to the controller to see how the game performs under heavy use. Many video game enthusiasts may think being a game tester is all about playing video games. Some testing can be menial; for example, an entry-level video game tester may be required to turn the game station on and off hundreds of times. Another tester might be asked to download movies while playing a video game, just to see how the game and system responds. However, if you are an individual that enjoys gadgets and tedious detail, then perhaps the career of video game tester is the job for you. You will have an inside look at how video games are tested for market, and you will even know what video games are coming out before they are actually released!