How to Be PC game Tester - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 12, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Video game testers play an integral role in the gaming industry, as their feedback and input helps to ensure that games are of the highest quality and are free from bugs and technical errors. This feedback helps developers address any issues before the game is released, thus providing a more enjoyable and seamless gaming experience for players. Cause and effect can be seen in how game testers' efforts lead to improved game quality, customer satisfaction, and increased sales.

With better games, more people are likely to purchase them, leading to greater profits for the game's developers and publishers. This, in turn, makes the game tester's job even more important, as they are ultimately responsible for helping to ensure that the game is enjoyable and of the highest quality.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Most employers in the gaming industry prefer to hire candidates with at least a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. This degree will give you a better understanding of computer systems and programming languages.
Gain Experience and Develop Skills. Gain experience by testing video games at home and developing your skills in game design, coding and programming. You can also find online courses to learn game development and coding.
Get Certified. Obtaining a certification in game testing can be beneficial when seeking game tester jobs. To qualify, you must have a working knowledge of game design, software engineering, and coding.
Look for Job Opportunities. Look for open positions as a game tester in the gaming industry. You can search for job openings on various job boards such as Indeed or Monster.
Submit Your Resume and Cover Letter. When applying for a game tester position, make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the job requirements. Showcase your skills and experience in game testing and coding in your resume.
Participate in Interviews. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience in game testing and coding during interviews. Show off your skills and enthusiasm for gaming to the interviewers.

Being a successful and competent PC game tester requires a variety of skills and competencies. Firstly, a comprehensive understanding of gaming technology and game design is essential, as testers must be able to identify flaws and errors in the game they are testing. Secondly, testers need to be able to provide constructive feedback that can be used by developers to improve the game.

Thirdly, testers must be able to communicate effectively with developers, as this is key to providing useful insight and feedback on the game. Finally, strong problem solving skills are a must for a PC game tester, as they will be required to troubleshoot any issues that arise during testing. With the right combination of knowledge, skills and communication, PC game testers can be highly successful and competent.

You may want to check Game Design Intern, Puzzle game Developer, and Game Integration Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Play and test the game for errors or bugs, ensuring that the game meets the quality standards of the company.
Find, document, and report any issues found while playing the game.
Analyze game design documents and game play mechanics, providing feedback to the development team.
Identify, document, and report any functionality issues or inconsistencies between the game design documents and the actual implementation.
Follow established test plans and procedures to ensure that all aspects of the game are tested thoroughly and accurately.
Work with other departments within the company to ensure game quality is met and maintained.
Provide feedback on game balancing, game play mechanics and other aspects of the game.
Utilize specialized tools to track and document bugs, errors and other issues with the game.
Participate in daily status meetings to report progress and issues.
Maintain a detailed knowledge of the games functionality and features.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong knowledge of video game testing principles and techniques.
Analytical skills to identify and solve problems.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Proficiency in using gaming software, hardware and related tools.
Strong communication skills and ability to effectively report issues and progress.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Experience with game localization and compliance testing a plus.
Knowledge of game development processes and related terminology a plus.

Being a successful PC game tester requires a certain set of skills. The most important skill is the ability to pay attention to detail. Game testers must be able to identify and report even the smallest of bugs or glitches that can affect game play.

They must also have good problem solving skills, as they may be tasked with diagnosing issues and finding solutions. Good communication skills are also essential, as game testers must be able to clearly describe issues in order to alert developers of any potential problems. Lastly, the ability to think outside the box is important, as game testers must be creative in order to anticipate potential issues that could arise during game play.

The combination of these skills will ensure that game testers can effectively identify and report any issues that may arise during game testing.

Game Quality Assurance, Mobile game Developer, and Video game Consultant are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in game testing?
How familiar are you with PC hardware and software?
How would you prioritize tasks when testing a game?
How do you ensure that the game meets the required standards?
Describe the process you use to test a game.
What processes do you use to identify bugs and errors?
How do you handle feedback from development teams?
How do you troubleshoot issues with a game?
What strategies do you use to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in gaming?
What strategies do you use to remain motivated and focused during long hours of game testing?

Common Tools in Industry

JIRA. A project management and bug tracking tool used to document, assign and track game issues. (Eg: Tracking bug reports for a new game release).
TestRail. A test case management software used to manage, plan, and execute software tests. (Eg: Setting up automated test runs for a game).
Bugzilla. An open source bug tracking system used to document and manage game bugs. (Eg: Logging and categorizing game bugs).
Visual Studio. An integrated development environment used to create, debug, and deploy games. (Eg: Debugging a games code).
Autodesk Maya. A 3D animation software used to create assets for games. (Eg: Modeling 3D characters for a game).
Unity. A game engine used to design, develop, and deploy interactive games. (Eg: Building a 2D platformer game).
Unreal Engine. A game engine used to design, develop, and deploy games. (Eg: Building an open world RPG game).
PlaytestCloud. A playtesting platform that allows testers to provide feedback on games in development. (Eg: Testing a multiplayer game for balance).

Professional Organizations to Know

International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS)
Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
International Game Developers Association - Europe (IGDA-EUROPE)
International Game Developers Association - Canada (IGDA-CANADA)
International Game Developers Association - India (IGDA-INDIA)
International Game Developers Association Asia Pacific (IGDA-APAC)
International Game Developers Association Latin America (IGDA-LA)
Games Tester Network (GTN)
International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC)

We also have Game Marketing Manager, Video game Store Manager, and Multiplayer game Developer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Bug. A bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways.
Alpha Testing. Alpha testing is a type of software testing used to identify and solve issues prior to the release of the software. It typically involves small groups of testers and is conducted in the developer's environment.
Beta Testing. Beta testing is the last stage of software testing prior to its commercial release. It is a type of user acceptance testing that involves testing the software in the customer's environment by actual users of the software.
Regression Testing. Regression testing is a type of software testing used to verify that changes made to the software do not introduce new bugs or regressions. It is used to ensure that any changes made to the code have not impacted existing functionality.
Exploratory Testing. Exploratory testing is an approach to software testing where the tester actively explores the system to uncover bugs and issues. It is done without a formal test plan and is an iterative process.
Usability Testing. Usability testing is a type of software testing that evaluates how user-friendly the software is. It is used to measure how easy it is for a user to interact with and use the software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to become a PC game tester?

Generally, PC game testers should have a strong knowledge of computers and gaming systems, as well as a high school diploma or GED. Experience with basic coding and software troubleshooting is also helpful.

How much do PC game testers typically make?

PC game testers typically make between $10 and $20 per hour, although experienced testers may make more.

What type of environment do PC game testers work in?

PC game testers often work in a dedicated testing lab, but may also work remotely from home.

How long does it take to become a PC game tester?

The amount of time it takes to become a PC game tester will vary depending on the person and the company they are working for. Generally, game testers need to have experience with computers and gaming systems, as well as knowledge of coding and software troubleshooting.

What other skills are needed to be a successful PC game tester?

In addition to knowledge of computers and gaming systems, successful PC game testers need to have good problem-solving skills, an eye for detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.