How Does One Become a Game Tester?

Posted by Cliff on Wednesday March 26, 2003 @04:20PM from the a-want-ad-with-serious-wang dept.

Rick the Red asks: "This is similar to other stories about game development. I'm a software tester, and I just saw this job posting: 'Jobs just do NOT get any better than this! We have multiple openings at one of the world's most successful software companies for experienced game testers of varying skill levels! Platforms and tools are not important. If you love video games and have at least 6 months experience you CANNOT miss this awesome opportunity!' OK, I'm an experienced software tester, and I have video game experience of varying skill levels, but I have zero professional game tester experience. Damn! So, how does one get experience if the jobs all require experience? I know, it's the age-old question, but are there any game-testing-specific answers?"

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I write games for a living. by mcgroarty · 2003-03-26 16:36 · Score: 2, Informative

I write games for a living. And let me tell you... when we're bearing down on release, and you're the dude who's making the lists that keep me from going home nights, you don't want to be a game tester. What you do may well be important, but I'm still going to hate you for it. And I'm going to let you know. Loudly. :-)
Seriously, though. It's one of those positions where the best thing you can do is find a friend who's already connected with the company, however remotely. You need good written English skills, to be able to play through a few well-known games and talk about them, and sometimes you'll need to pass a drug test. If you've got those three covered, you just need to know somebody (anybody!) or be in the right place at the right time. No other magic required.