What’s the Goal of Video Game Testing?

Video game testing is the dream job for millions of game fans around the globe. Players around the world look desperately to invest time into their careers so they can start playing video games and getting paid for it. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig, right? Well, before you also get caught up in the dream, consider what the game testing field really involves and how much energy and time you’ll need to invest in it before you get started.

What Game Testing Does

To start, game testing is not done for players to determine if they “like” a game. Studios can find people perfectly willing to do this for free and most of them don’t even bother due to budgetary concerns. Some major games like Halo or Call of Duty might go through screenings and panel reviews, but most games are handled purely internally and that means you need to actually get hired by the developer before you become a tester.

Game testing as a rule is done to rule out all potential bugs in the game. There are three phases of testing, starting with alpha testing to determine major game breaking bugs in the first builds of the game (usually at the 75% completion point). The beta testing phase is done when the game is approaching completion and is used to root out smaller glitches and problems like holes in the floor, broken characters, or missing textures.

Finally, there is the QA phase in which testers will work through menus, levels, and various environments in meticulous fashion to dig up every possible little issue that might arise. As a QA tester, you’ll spend time working through the game on a very minute level. Yes, the game is finished, but you won’t be enjoying the full story arc. You’ll be going through thousands of menu combinations or exploring one environment looking for any possible way to create a bug in the game.

How You Can Use Game Testing

While game testing as a job is not exactly glamorous – it’s entry level pay and tedious work with heavy deadlines – it does open up numerous opportunities to new jobs in the game development field. Many top developers and programmers got their start in game testing, providing needed feedback on major bugs before moving to the big time. 

If you’re really interested in getting into the big time game development field, it starts in game testing and the best route to a career in game testing is through Beta Gaming Testers, the ultimate guide to help you get started from T Dub Sanders. CLICK HERE