The job title ‘video games tester’ may appear to be ideal — a profession in which you spend your days playing video games. From the outside, this may appear to be the case, but within the business, the post of ‘quality assurance technician’ is frequently seen as entry-level employment.

A fantastic opportunity to get started in the sector, regardless of experience or degree, before moving on to other opportunities.

That is partially true. QA can (but does not usually) entail a lot of game playing. Many industry experts who began their careers in QA have gone on to become producers, programmers, creative directors, analysts, and studio leaders.

Those perspectives, however, are limiting. Games QA is a wide-ranging position in which playing games is only a tiny portion of the job. Although it can serve as a stepping stone into the business, it is also a skilled, technical, and demanding profession in and of itself.

Indeed, there are several examples throughout gaming history of flaws, bad service, and technological difficulties killing a game. The function of the tester has never been more vital than in today’s world of live games.

Types of Game Testing Jobs:

Not all game testers are employed by studios. Many work for outsourced QA companies that test a wide range of goods and perform several testing activities. Functional testing is the profession that most people associate with QA.

These groups are in charge of discovering the bulk of flaws in a game and are frequently the first to provide input on new versions. Functionality testers are in charge of examining features and determining how well they work with the rest of the game.

Then there’s localization testing, which entails double-checking the game’s text and audio to guarantee it’ll be well-received worldwide. Some localization testing will need direct translation and implementation of dialogue modifications. After that comes compatibility testing.

This is where you check if a game works on a variety of devices, such as the PS4 Pro and PS4, or different sorts of smartphones. Alternatively, various controllers and other input devices can be used.

Finally, there’s certification/compliance testing. Platform owners such as Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation set guidelines for game creators, such as how to refer to controllers.

Testers will need to evaluate language against rules and guarantee that an Xbox game does not have a Nintendo button prompt or a PlayStation error message. If this isn’t done correctly, the game will fail certification.

Performance, usability, focus groups and closed beta testing are all examples of specialty types of testing. Although they are frequently included in the aforementioned four positions. The job of the tester is continuously developing, especially with the emergence of live, service-based games.

“Some big teams, particularly those working on live games [such as MMOs], will have teams release testers,” says Lesleyann White, chief QA expert at Failbetter Games. “Rather than working on new features during production, these testers concentrate entirely on the final product and its integration into the overall game, ensuring that it does not disrupt current content.”

The function of QA is sometimes combined with the development teams within studios. QA analysts or QA engineers are frequently used as testers in this environment.

Black Box Testing:

“Our QA analysts are product specialists, and the problems they find usually revolve around qualitative factors like balance, value, and whether or not it matches the original vision,” explains Malachy O’Neill, QA director at Jagex, the creators of Runescape. “It’s a daily responsibility to participate in design conversations and listen to what gamers have to say. This is sometimes referred to as “black-box testing”.

Grey Box Testing:

“On the other hand, we have QA engineers that are more concerned with the system. They don’t have the breadth of knowledge that a QA analyst has, but they may go far deeper, to the level of architecture. You must be at ease in development environments and able to participate in technical conversations. Grey-box testing is a term used to describe this type of testing.

White Box Testing:

“Finally, in our sector, there has been a push for more QA automation and self-reliance to decrease the technical barrier for non-technical testers. This function is currently served by a quality engineering sub-team in large QA organizations. The software development engineer in the test is a frequent position. This is sometimes referred to as white-box testing.

Qualification to Get a Job as a Game Tester/QA:

Working in games QA does not, in general, need a formal education.

“While college degrees in game design, software development, and computer science are always a bonus,” says Adam Rush, QA manager at Keywords Studios, “most studios and QA firms will take on applicants with a minimum of a high school diploma.” However, QA is becoming a more in-demand part of the games business, and a little knowledge can help you land a job.

“As a position gets more technical, such as QA engineer,” adds O’Neill, “conventional formal education such as game development, computer science, and mathematics is highly valued but seldom a strict necessity.” “Perhaps more than any other subject, quality assurance is all about learning as you go.” It’s easy to take up, yet difficult to master, much like a good fighting game.

“Professional QA training, such as the ISTQB [International Software Testing Qualifications Board] set of certifications, has been popular in recent years. These show that you are a skilled craftsperson who values quality assurance.”

“More and more firms are requiring candidates to hold the ISTQB Foundation qualification for testing,” White says. It’s a nice thing to have — it provides you with a strong foundation in software testing concepts — but I don’t think it should be a necessity, especially for lower positions, and I wouldn’t dismiss someone who didn’t have it.

“However, I’ve seen it as a prerequisite for higher-level QA positions, so it’s worth investigating, especially since the curriculum is available online.” Many firms would gladly put you through the exam as part of your professional growth, especially if you’ve already studied the material.c

“More and more jobs are requiring programming abilities, whether it’s to automate test scripts or to assist in problem fixes.” Even rudimentary programming abilities might assist testers in reading and understanding code. Whether free lessons on YouTube or commercial courses on sites like Udemy, online courses may provide a wealth of information.

Best Ways for Games QA:

White advises, “Apply for internships and job experience.” “This does not have to be in the gaming business; instead, look for IT firms. Summer work may also be beneficial in terms of gaining valuable experience and skills.” Creating your games and using other tools and technologies will also benefit you.

White says, “Build a portfolio where you can demonstrate your understanding of game design and development.” “Start a blog where you may document your development methods as well as your debugging and bug-fixing efforts. Learn about several game engines: free versions of Unity, Unreal, and Game Maker are all available. While you’ll spend time in QA testing game builds, you’ll also spend time testing directly in the game engine, so familiarity with one is a must.

“Tools for industrial research I’m not only talking about testing tools like Test Rail, Charles proxy, and Jira; I’m also talking about tools used by the rest of the development team, such as Visual Studio, Git, Ink, Twine, Blender, and 3DS Max. The majority of them provide free, trial, or educational editions.”

“I don’t mean become a bug abuser — you’ll get banned for one thing,” White continues, “but seek for evidence of people abusing problems before they were patched.” MMOs are the greatest games to play for this. You’ll learn a lot about destructive thinking and be able to see trends, such as how interfaces may be exploited to delay programs.

“Finally, become a member of online testing groups. You’ll be able to meet other testers who are typically eager to help. There are even occasions when you may assist in the testing of software programs. It may not be a game, but it is a learning opportunity.”

Qualities for Game Tester:

‘Being excellent at games,’ believe it or not, isn’t the most crucial talent you’ll need to work as a games tester. Universally Speaking general manager James Cubitt adds, “You need to be rational, patient, a creative thinker, with a brief and clear writing ability.” “You must be able to describe where the issues are, what they are, and how they happened clearly and simply so that colleague testers and developers can comprehend and recreate the issue.”

“When trying to recreate difficulties, patience is necessary because you will need to repeat the process several times to verify that the steps to reproduce’ are as precise as possible and that it happens every time.” When it comes to a problem that only happens once in a while, things might grow much worse.

“You must be able to think like a variety of users, which necessitates creativity. Some people will just play through a game, while others will explore every nook and corner, while others may try to perform everything in the wrong sequence to find flaws and vulnerabilities. All of this must be addressed.”

Pole To Win’s North American and Indian president “Gaming expertise, a passion for games, basic QA know-how, analytical abilities, and strong English communication skills are a fantastic foundation to develop from,” Sijo Jose continues. It’s also beneficial to be exposed to as many platforms as possible. Soft qualities such as attention to detail, digital savvy, adaptability and flexibility, the ability to work in a team, and creative problem-solving abilities are also important to us.”

According to Pawel Marciniak, QA project lead at Testronic Warsaw, “the capacity to be organized so you can manage teams and communicate with clients is crucial as you progress up in QA.”

“I begin each day by giving duties to each team member. And I’ll keep in touch with the customer throughout the day, providing them updates on our progress. My responsibilities also include reviewing bugs reported by technicians during the day. I make checklists based on design papers or the title itself most of the time.”

Diplomacy is an important skill for aspiring testers to master, especially when dealing directly with developers.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important communication is in embedded QA,” adds O’Neill. “You’re collaborating with programmers, artists, and designers… To get your point though, you’ll need to be able to negotiate and emotionally aware, even if they don’t really want to hear it.

“It’s also crucial to check your ego at the door. I’ve seen far too many testers leave game development courses with a severe case of culture shock because they can’t handle it when their suggestions or flaws are ignored.”

Misconceptions about Games QA:

It’s just a day of playing games.

There are several assumptions surrounding game testing, the most prevalent of which is held by video game journalists and public relations. No, game testing does not imply that you spend your whole day playing games.

“There’s a world of difference between testing and playing,” Cubitt adds. “To guarantee that everything is covered, we design and systematically run tests. When testing multiplayer, it might be joining and disconnecting for a day, or it could be going over every customizable item and verifying they load as anticipated.”

White continues: “It may be tedious at times, and there is more paperwork and documentation than you might expect. The task itself is nothing like what you’d do at home if you were playing a game. As a normal game consumer, you simply do not get to enjoy the games you create. In fact, by the time you’ve finished developing that game or piece of content, you might not want to touch it again.”

It’s a laid-back and enjoyable job.

Because many individuals mistakenly believe that testing games are the same as playing them, they expect a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere. Well, they should rethink this approach.

“It may be entertaining at times, like any other work,” White adds, “but it can also be hellishly stressful.” “I felt the latest UKIE UK Game Industry Census was very enlightening, with QA exhibiting the highest rates of depression (30 percent of QA respondents) and the second-highest rates of anxiety (25 percent of QA respondents)” (34 percent).

“The position may be quite demanding. There are still not enough firms that use embedded testers throughout development, preferring instead to bring QA on at the end. In these scenarios, testers are frequently confronted with insufficient testing tools and resources. Time is running out, and all of the issues must be identified, prioritized, addressed, and reverted by a set deadline.

“Testers are frequently referred to as the ‘final line of defense.’ It’s supposed to be a badge of honor, but it increases stress, deflects accountability, and frequently indicates poor project management. It may result in a culture where QA is constantly blamed.

“As a double whammy, many QA positions entail some form of player assistance. Even if you are not required to reply to players, you must still go through their complaints and criticism, which may be quite discouraging and has a negative influence on mental health.”

“A common misperception I see from players is that our job is ‘ultimate approver,’ with the term ‘why didn’t QA stop this?’ being commonly used,” O’Neill says. There is always a give and take in life… Suggestions are given, but the final decision is made by the entire team. Quality assurance guarantees that everyone has access to the information. Are we always satisfied with the results? Obviously not.

The phrase ‘Quality Assistance’ is gaining momentum in QA circles to better reflect what we do. We aren’t in charge of quality assurance. This is a challenge for new testers.”

It’s dead-end employment that’s just meant to serve as a stepping stone into the business.

While some people utilize QA as a stepping stone into the games business to pursue other opportunities, it can also be a very rewarding profession in and of itself. According to Jose, some of the positions open to individuals who take this road include test lead, project manager, and director of quality assurance.

Cubitt states, “Experienced testers are quite useful.” “As you advance in your career, you’ll be given additional responsibilities, such as teaching and managing testers, as well as designing test plans and communicating directly with developers — you’ll be continuously developing and reinforcing the most important professional skills.”

“A lot of individuals got their start in the games business as testers,” White adds, “and I’m sure it will continue for a long time.” But it’s a fascinating and technical job that’s just as important to game development as any other. It’s a disservice to people who choose to work in quality assurance as a profession to see it as a stepping stone.

Furthermore, QA leaders and recruiting managers prefer analysts who are skilled in their field and are committed to staying with the company, rather than those who are looking for a quick entry into the audio department.

“It’s also not a fantastic stepping stone for a lot of industrial jobs.” Although QA may teach you a lot of useful skills, not all of them apply to animation, community management, or marketing. The fact is that you’ll be working in a technical job that is frequently exhausting, demanding, and, in many cases, requires overtime. It may leave you with little extra time to hone your abilities in something you truly enjoy.

“On the other hand, QA is one of the few jobs in the business where you get to touch every aspect of the game, collaborate with every other department, and acquire a comprehensive understanding of the production process — one of the many reasons it’s so fascinating.” As a result, it can provide a solid foundation for tasks such as production and design.

It’s all about tracking down bugs.

It’s much more than merely catching issues so they can be addressed when it comes to quality assurance.

White explains, “It’s all about analyzing and enhancing overall quality in the present and future projects.” “QA is responsible for ensuring that the game is user-friendly, intuitive, and enjoyable to play.” Not only that the product fulfills its requirements, but that the user’s needs are satisfied. And by identifying the core cause of mistakes and ensuring that processes are modified during development to fight this, quality is enhanced throughout the entire team.”

Furthermore, some testers are involved in both discovering and resolving issues. In addition, testers are frequently called upon to create bibles and technical documentation for development teams. Some will even develop technologies to make testing more efficient.