JOB 2

Job title

Computer Games Tester

Expected working hours

You would often work long and unsocial hours in order to meet deadlines, particularly in the run-up to a game’s release. Games testing can be repetitive, hectic and stressful at times.

The work is office-based and you would spend most of your time at a computer.

Expected salary range

Starting salaries can be between £12,000 and £18,000 a year.

With experience, earnings could reach £25,000.

Possible promotion opportunities

As a QA team leader, salaries could reach £30,000 a year

Jobs may be advertised on games websites and by specialist online recruitment agencies. You could also find work by approaching companies directly, and by developing contacts in the industry.

From QA tester you could progress to lead tester and QA management, or move into level design, production management or marketing. To move into more specialist areas you would need further skills such as programming or 3-D modelling.

Entry requirements/qualifications

You do not need formal qualifications to become a tester, as your playing skills and knowledge of the games market will be more important to employers. However, it will be useful to have basic knowledge of programming, and experience of using spreadsheets and database packages.

Employers will want to see proof of your knowledge and enthusiasm for the games industry. Attending games festivals and keeping yourself up to date with gaming magazines and websites can help you in this.

Experience in games retail is another way of developing useful background knowledge and an awareness of audience needs.

Although not essential, having a foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree in games design, games development or computing can be helpful, especially if you want to progress into programming, design or producing.

The work you would be expected to carry out

As a computer games tester or quality assurance (QA) technician, it would be your job to play games over and over again in order to spot any bugs and mistakes that need to be fixed before the game reaches the market.

Testing is a vital part of the production process. As well as finding and documenting programming bugs, you would act as the game’s first audience, reporting on its playability and recommending improvements

As part of a team of QA testers, you would:

play games systematically and in as many ways as possible

test different levels and versions of a game

analyse its performance against what the designer intended

compare the game against others on the market

identify problems and suggest improvements

try to work out what is causing a problem

check for spelling mistakes and copyright issues such as logos

check the text on packaging and in instruction manuals

document each 'bug report' into a software quality management system

prioritise the most serious issues

work to strict deadlines.

You would work closely with programmers, artists and designers before a game’s release, and with customer support teams after its launch.

Person specification including skills and knowledge

excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

a passion for games playing, with the ability to play at high levels

good written and spoken communication skills

the ability to work well as part of a team

a tactful manner

good negotiation skills

the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

patience and persistence, for repetitive work

a methodical and disciplined approach

excellent attention to detail

a good knowledge of the games market

good office computer skills.

Foreign language skills are also useful for testing games aimed at overseas regions (known as ‘localisation testing’).

thanks to nextstep.direct.gov.uk fot the information
an example of this job is at
http://glasgow.gumtree.com/glasgow/04/74433604.html