Our sole aim is to cover almost all the topics from the Software Testing industry. Very few testing professionals are aware of the Game Testing industry and the Jobs offered by it.
The Game Testing Industry is expanding rapidly, and currently, there are several “Game design” and “Video Game testing” openings available in the market. This is a very interesting tutorial on game testing which will give you a brief idea about the Game Testing industry!
What You Will Learn:
Game Testing Industry – An Introduction
The Video Game Testing industry is now set to become the largest in the industry.
Despite the recession, there was no dearth in the sales of game titles, although the game console sales were hit and the game testing companies had to revamp their strategies.
Further reading =>> Top Video Game Consoles to Explore
Gaming has had its own ups and downs over the years but it continues to grow leaps and bounds. Facebook application games are really path-breaking with budding developers experimenting with their knowledge. Episodic games are a new thing. Games for the iPhone are the new frontier too.
So, no one in the game industry knows where games will be even two or three years from now. The only thing they know is that everything is changing and the games that will be released in the upcoming years will be different from what we have now.
The following Openings are available in the Gaming Industry:
- Video game programming Jobs (designing video games)
- Video game testing jobs
Designing video games requires skilled and experienced video game designers. Testing video games is equally challenging as the game tester needs to have solid writing skills, excellent communication skills, and the habit of keeping attention to detail.
Video game testers play a critical role in the game development industry. As video game programmers spend years designing video games, video game testers need to make sure that it’s ready for release in a very short time span.
What is a Typical Game Testing Process?
It takes from one to three years to develop a computer game (depending on the scale). Testing begins late in the development process, sometimes from halfway to 75% into development (it starts so late because, until then, there is little to play or test).
Once the testers get a version, they begin playing the game. Testers must carefully note any errors they uncover. These may range from bugs to art issues to logic errors. Some bugs are easy to document but many are hard to describe and may take several steps to describe so that a developer can replicate or find the bug.
In a large-scale game with numerous testers, a tester must first determine whether the bug has already been reported before or they can log the bugs themselves. Once a bug has been reported as fixed, the tester has to go back and verify that the fix is working properly – and occasionally returns to verify that it has not reappeared.
Game Testing Strategy
There are several strategies involved in the Game Testing process.
Given below are a few of them:
#1) Evaluation Of Game Rules: Game rules adequately explain the operation of all the components of the game including features, free games, etc. Each game functions as per the rules defined.
#2) UI, Functional, Performance, and Compatibility Test: This includes verification of game outcomes and if the data is correctly shown when games are played. Verify Game Functionality such as Game Progress, game outcomes, handling of incomplete & re-started games, and multi-player games.
#3) Verification Of The Integration Points: Check if the Game win determination aligns with the Game Rules.
#4) Reviewing Gaming Procedures: Procedures will be reviewed by System management, player account management, tournaments, and promotions.
#5) Infrastructure And Security Review: Required to verify all equipment and network implementation for secure and reliable operation. For example, Time synchronization, OS reliability, and security.
How to Test Games?
This process is almost similar to product or web application testing.
Here is the typical game testing process:
- Identification: First analyze and identify the game rules and its behavior.
- Functional Testing: Ensure the game works as intended. This also includes integration testing with third-party tools used, if any.
- OS and Browser compatibility: The most critical part of game testing is to ensure that the game works on the required Operating systems. For online games, check its functionality on all intended browsers.
- Performance Testing: Performance Testing Technique becomes critical for online games if the gaming site handles betting on the game. Game testers must verify if the Game Testing site smoothly handles the customer load.
- Multi-player Testing: For multi-player games, you need to verify the game functionality to handle all players and the functionality with a fair distribution of game resources to all players.
- Reporting: Bug reporting to developers. Bug evidence needs to be produced and submitted through the Bug Reporting System.
- Analysis: Developers hold the responsibility to fix the bugs.
- Verification: After the fix, the bug needs to be verified by the testers to confirm that it shouldn’t reappear.
Game Testing Tips
- Understand Random Number Generator evaluation (RNG): This is very important to add unpredictability to the Game. In most games, this RNG system is used to map its outcome.
- First, identify the “game algorithm” from the Source code in order to identify the issues in the Game application.
- Verify the source code for the appropriate use of random numbers and error handling. (Only if you know the source code)
- Validate and evaluate the predefined rules of the game.
- Verify the consistency of the game rules.
- Make sure no offensive content or material is ever displayed.
- Regularly check the game history and system event logs.
- Make sure the Game outcomes are displayed for a reasonable time only.
- Irrespective of Single/Multi-player games, we need to validate the bandwidth and the client software.
- Verify Minimum/maximum limits of bets, deposits and other critical game symbols.
- Verify the correct game and system operation after the game failover and recovery.
- Always verify all the reports for data accuracy. Verify reports for the date, time, number of wins, money etc.
- Test System requirements are very important in Game testing. Verify all the infrastructure and security requirements, game equipment, network and game synchronization with the OS.
- Make sure that sufficient information is always available to our users to protect our Game players.
Game Testing Jobs
The gaming field is getting much better day by day and the Career as a Game Designer or Game Tester is very bright. There are several game testing professionals making a decent amount of money as video game testers, working from home itself.
The present Internet generation is bringing massive innovations and scope to growth. IT and Non-IT people are willing to spend their free time playing video games or any online game. “Game testing from home” is now a new trend to earn money. We can clearly see that getting into our daily activities.
The Game Testing Career is turning hotter day by day in the market. If any of you are trying hard to get into the gaming industry then you need to have the interest and passion that drives you to success. Due to the addition of vast and complex new games, Game QA is no longer less technical than general software QA.
Game testing was widely considered a “stepping stone” position but it’s now becoming a full-time job opportunity for experienced testers.
Further Reading =>> How to play Windows 7 Games on Windows 10
Conclusion
If you have a passion for games and a good understanding of testing methodologies, then becoming a successful game tester is not difficult for you!
About the Author: This is a guest article written by a Game Testing Expert named “Malini”. Malini has over 10 years of experience in IT including development, testing and project management, and her passion is in advancing the profession of software testing.
Her technical articles and white papers have been published in many leading websites. She holds an MBA in IT and a GNIIT diploma. Read more about Malini on her Blog.
If you are in the Game Testing Industry, your valuable inputs will help our readers to learn more about Game Testing. Please share your tips and suggestions on Game Testing in the comments section below.
Hi,
My names Varun Chakkera. I’ve worked as a game tester for almost a year back when THQ still had developing rights and yes it does work out as it sounds. Game testing really is a kind of Gamer Dream job as when u analyze the function and Storyline of the game you know the game first hand before its even released. But what it mainly requires is not skill but patience. The Start and End of the Build is Fun, but as the build is still in the middle stage of error erasing you need real patience with what your responsibilities are. Thank You.
Please guide me for the same
@jagan I don’t know if it helps you now but there is going to be Testing availability here in Bangalore soon. As I am going to join in soon if possible I can inform you to when the Vacancies are available. The main work company is HP but they will be contracted with Sony. Since Sony has bought the Developing rights of THQ, They are contracting themselves with Sony. Thank You.
is it a part-time job or full-time job? I’ve recently given a test for playtest.cloud.com, I qualified it, but they told me that they will only give 2 games in a month and for that I will only get $18. I just have to give 30 minutes though. Will you tell me more how you get job there, and what are the requirements they want. My mail is lakshy.pal@gmail.com
I want a job for testing games and i am 16 years old.
hi, i completed my b.tech CSE with 70% and i am interested to work in testing jobs.i have no experience.I have any chance.If there is any chance pls inform me.
My mail id is yamini27014@gmail.com
Hi, I have a passion towards games, I started playing games from 6th standard and i’m still playing games and I’m so much passionate towards it. My dream is too became a game tester. But I don’t have an proper guidance, on how to become a game tester. I have completed B.E mechanical. If some one would help me on how to proceed further, it will much appreciated.
My mail id is shyleish789@yahoo.com.
I have nearly 1 yr experience in Game testing as a QA tester. I want to work from home as a freelancer or do game testing online. so anyone help me?
For game testing job you have download any game testing pdf and go through it. before interview take any one or more game and find that games developer, tester name in credits. you have to tell few words about that game. game company provides training and take exams for selection process. you have to know what type of bugs/ defects reported and how to do it by excel or any tool.
hi all. i have experience playing cs, dota and piercing blow at international level. anybody knows any company in mumbai that would require a game tester?
Hey Malini, really loved your article. I’m really looking forward to work as a game tester. I’ve a passion for video games and I really want to put this passion into good use and do something productive with it. I live in Delhi NCR, INDIA. I will be very thankful if you would help me find any job for the same. It could be at any platform PC, Console, Mobile etc, I really want to experience how all this works.
Hope you reply soon.
Thank You.
Hi Malini, I am from bangalore and would really love to become a game tester , I love playing games, so plz give the info / details on how to apply to this and thanks in advance
Malini Madam,Im Vivek And was crazy about becoming a pro gamer.It was then i heard about QA game Testers.I would be very happy if u or some could tell me how can i reach for it and build a carrer in it.Hoping For The best Replies from every one.
Need the game testing job…I know many of the latest games which have bugs
WHAT IS A REQUIREMENT AND EDUCATION
Please call for this no. 8742909524 for the game tester
Thanks Malini Ma’am for your help. I am a class 12th student and want to know about the educational degrees required to become an automated gaming tester. I know one can become a tester without them but also recognize the fact that those who are good at programming are given an upper hand. So plz help. Thank you in advance once again.
Thanks Malini Ma’am for your help. I am a class 12th student and want to know about the educational degrees required to become an automated gaming tester. I know one can become a tester without them but also recognize the fact that those who are good at programming are given an upper hand. So plz help. Thank you in advance once again.
first of all thanks ma’am.As iam a student of class 11th and i want to join this job.Please reply as soon as possible.
as a game tester
Thanks to this article. it helps me understand and gain more knowledge about becoming a game tester. It also gains my interest in the online game tester.
Hi malini
well my question is wrong but i want to ask
Question := “Girls also Play video Games”?
Don’t go wrong just answer me
A very informative article
Game developers need people like you to test their games to make sure there are no glitches or problems with the gameplay, music, graphics and general workings of the game
==>You can get paid to Play New and Upcoming Games
==>You can get paid to take online surveys and make from $5 to $75 each, or more
==>You can get paid to participate in focus groups and make up to $150 an hour
==>You can get paid to try new Games, Gaming Consoles, Controllers or other products and ==>==> keep the free products too!
==>You can get paid to preview new movie or game trailers for $4 to $25 an hour
==>You can get paid to review new Games for up to $30 an hour
Please tell me the next step.
do you have a link do i need to be qualified?
Hi Malini Mam ,it seems pleasant to watch this article and My Name is A.Ajeeth kumar and i am a B.E. Computer science and engineering scholar doing my 3rd year having passion to become a Game Tester as my carrer .As i don’t have any proper guidance to build my carrer in this field .Kindly guide me towards my passion by contacting me through Mail at kumarajeeth471@gmail.com
Hi Fellow Gamer … did you know everyday Gaming companies pay big bucks to people like you and me just to know what we are thinking? It’s true! They are desperate to understand how you think and shop and why you buy certain Games or Products because this helps their companies improve their products, and they in turn they pay YOU good money for your opinion. They Need You!
can anyone provide information about how yo apply or how to become a game tester ? please can anyone aboody can help me? its my email- rakshitgaikwad88@gmail.com .
I would love to be a game tester ive been preparing all my life for this if you would like to change my life for the better please email me and we can work together
i hope this website for video game testing is legit and legal not scam.?
Hi. I love games and would like to work from home to be close to family.
My name is hunter reynolds and I’d like to become a game tester I can work from home too if that’s possible.
I also need a job as a game tester cus I observed myself and I noticed that all I do all day are to play games and always on my phone.so I want to turn it to something useful.so I need someone to help me find the job.am a Nigerian. thanks