Expected Salaries of Game Testing Jobs
Working in the video game industry is the dream of many people of all ages. On paper it sounds like the perfect marriage between hobby and career, but it can be quite challenging to break into the industry. A common recommendation is to start at the bottom working in quality assurance, making yourself indispensable to the organization and therefore moving up in ranks.
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Qualifications
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Video game testing is an entry-level job. Quality-assurance teams are frequently hiring, as the position requires staffing for many hours a day and all days of the week. A candidate who makes herself available for a variety of shifts and shows flexibility will have an advantage, as the position may require long hours. A video game tester should show immense attention to detail, patience, good communication skills, multitasking ability and a familiarity with either the game console, handheld or computer for which the game is published. In addition, video game testers should be prepared to sacrifice personal time for expected overtime during critical moments in a game's development.
Duties
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Video game testers are very important in the life cycle of a video game, as they work on the game throughout development and after it as been completed. They are responsible for finding and reporting bugs, logging issues found and determining trends and known issues. They are expected to evaluate game balance and mechanics and be able to communicate potential issues to their lead. Game testers can be in charge of one or many games at a time, or may be responsible for the testing of one particular feature.
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Starting Salary
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The starting wage for a video game tester in quality assurance is $10 to $12 per hour. Video game testers are generally paid an hourly wage, and overtime is usually awarded. Most game companies provide a full benefits package including paid time off and retirement plans. Video game tester jobs often reward length of employment with regular raises and title changes. Some video game companies have rankings within testing that game testers can aspire to for advancement within the company.
Maximizing Earning
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Video game companies have a high demand for game testers, and there are many opportunities for testers to take on extra hours. In the moments leading up to a video game's release, the company may go into what is called "crunch time." During crunch, mandatory overtime is often initiated as a policy and many long hours are often required of paid video game testers. For those with the time available to commit to working extra hours, video game testing can be a lucrative career opportunity.
Advancement Opportunities
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There are many roles within a video game company's quality-assurance department. A tester can expect to have many opportunities to grow within the company. QA teams are led by lead testers who report to one or more supervisors. There are roles advancing all the way up to an executive or director of quality assurance level. For an aspiring game designer or programmer, being a game tester opens up options for internships and early job postings that may not be available otherwise. QA testing is one way to start out in the video game industry for those who do not have the experience or technical skills to gain a design, programming or management position.
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References
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