Job Details for Video Game Designers & Video Game Testers
For avid gamers, a career in the video game industry might sound like non-stop fun. Preparing a video game for the market requires hard work and talented individuals, though, and designers and testers often work long hours.
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Salaries
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Video game testers that are new to the field typically start at about $18,000 per year. As of 2010, the median salary is $49,000 annually. Game designers with less than three years of experience average $44,574 per year, while the average salary across all levels of experience is $61,538.
Education
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Generally, there are no educational requirements for video game testers, though a degree in computer science may be helpful. Designers typically need some type of higher education degree---a degree in computer science or design is a good place to start.
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Hours
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Both video game testers and designers can work long hours---especially when a game's deadline approaches. In the early stages of a game's development, testers and designers typically work an average, 40-hour week. Near deadline, they may be working overtime.
Working Conditions
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Video game testers typically work on-site. Working conditions can vary from comfortable to cramped, depending in particular on how many testers are currently employed. Designers also work on-site.
Skills
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Video game testers are good problem solvers with a keen eye for detail. They are able to think logically and analytically. While design is a creativity-oriented field, designers must also be able to use mathematics, algebra and other forms of logic.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of C D
