Game Testing

TL;DR

What it is: Game testing (QA testing) involves playing games during development to find bugs, glitches, and gameplay issues before public release. This isn't casual gaming-it's methodical, systematic testing that requires documenting every issue you find.

What you'll do:

• Play specific sections of games repeatedly to reproduce bugs
• Document bugs with detailed written reports
• Test on different devices and platforms
• Follow test cases and scripts provided by developers
• Verify that reported bugs have been fixed

Time to learn: 1-3 months to understand bug reporting and testing methodologies if you practice 5-10 hours weekly

What you need: Gaming device (console, PC, or mobile), good writing skills for bug reports, extreme attention to detail, patience for repetitive tasks

What This Actually Is

Game testing is quality assurance work for video games. Studios hire testers to play games during development and identify problems that need fixing before launch. You're not playing for fun-you're systematically breaking the game, finding edge cases, and documenting everything that goes wrong.

The job involves playing the same level or section dozens of times, trying different actions to see what breaks. You might spend hours jumping against walls, testing if you can get stuck in terrain, or verifying that menu buttons work correctly. Every bug you find needs a detailed written report explaining exactly how to reproduce it.

Game testers work on all types of games: mobile apps, console games, PC titles, and VR experiences. Some testers specialize in specific platforms or genres. The work can be done remotely for many companies, though some studios prefer in-house testers for certain projects.

This is often an entry-level position in the gaming industry. Many game developers, designers, and producers started as testers. It gives you insight into game development processes and builds connections within the industry.

What You'll Actually Do

Your daily work as a game tester involves several specific tasks beyond just playing games.

You'll execute test cases, which are step-by-step instructions for testing specific game features. For example, a test case might say: "Start new game, reach level 3, pause game, change audio settings, resume game, verify audio changes applied." You follow these instructions exactly and document the results.

Bug documentation takes significant time. When you find an issue, you write a detailed report including: what you were doing, what happened, what should have happened, steps to reproduce the bug, screenshots or video, device specifications, and game build version. Clear, detailed bug reports are essential.

You'll do regression testing, which means retesting areas where bugs were previously found to verify the fixes work correctly. You might test the same section multiple times across different game builds.

Exploratory testing involves playing sections of the game without specific instructions, trying to break things creatively. You test edge cases like: What happens if I jump here? Can I clip through this wall? What if I open this menu during a cutscene?

Platform-specific testing requires checking that games work correctly on different devices, screen sizes, controllers, and operating systems. A game might work perfectly on PlayStation but have issues on Xbox.

You'll participate in playtests where you provide feedback on gameplay experience, difficulty balance, and user interface design. This is different from bug testing but often part of the role.

Skills You Need

Attention to detail is the most critical skill. You need to spot visual glitches, inconsistencies, and small errors that casual players might miss. Missing bugs means they might reach the public release.

Written communication skills are essential. You'll write numerous bug reports daily. These need to be clear, detailed, and easy for developers to understand. Poor documentation makes bugs difficult to fix.

Technical literacy helps but isn't always required for entry-level positions. Understanding basic concepts like frame rates, resolution, latency, and software builds makes the work easier. Familiarity with bug tracking tools is learned on the job.

Patience and persistence matter because you'll repeat the same actions many times. Testing can be tedious. If a bug is intermittent, you might need to try reproducing it dozens of times.

Analytical thinking helps you understand game systems and predict where issues might occur. Experienced testers develop intuition for problem areas.

Time management is important when you have multiple test cases to complete before deadlines. Studios often have tight schedules, especially before launch dates.

Gaming experience is helpful but not strictly necessary. Being comfortable with different game genres, control schemes, and gaming terminology makes testing easier. However, non-gamers can learn these skills.

Getting Started

Start by developing bug reporting skills. Look for beta testing opportunities where games invite players to test before release. Many games run open betas-participate and practice writing detailed bug reports even if not paid. This builds experience you can reference.

Create a simple portfolio documenting bugs you've found. This could be a document showing sample bug reports from beta tests you participated in. Include screenshots and clear descriptions. This demonstrates your documentation skills to potential employers.

Consider getting ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) certification through ASTQB. Some major studios like Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, and Riot Games prefer or require this certification. It's not mandatory for all positions but improves your chances.

Search for remote testing opportunities on platforms that connect testers with studios. These platforms often accept beginners and provide ways to build your reputation through completed tests.

Apply directly to game studios for QA positions. Check career pages for companies like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision, and indie studios. Entry-level positions typically don't require prior professional experience if you can demonstrate attention to detail and writing skills.

Start with mobile game testing, which is often more accessible for beginners. Mobile games have shorter testing cycles and more remote opportunities compared to AAA console games.

Join online communities related to game testing and QA. These help you learn industry terminology, testing methodologies, and hear about job opportunities. Search for Discord servers or subreddits focused on game QA.

Practice technical writing. Your ability to write clear, structured bug reports directly impacts your success. Take time to improve this skill through practice.

Income Reality

Market rates for freelance game testers typically range from $10 to $25 per hour depending on experience, platform, and project complexity. Mobile game testing sessions might pay $9 to $60 per session depending on length and difficulty.

Entry-level testers with less than one year experience often earn around $17 per hour. As you gain experience and specialize in specific platforms or testing types, rates increase. Some experienced freelance testers report earning $25+ per hour for specialized work.

Full-time QA game tester positions average $38,000 to $62,000 annually, but this varies significantly by location, company size, and experience. Specialized roles like VR game testing or senior QA positions can reach $80,000+ annually. However, these are full-time positions, not side hustle work.

As a side hustle, income depends heavily on project availability and how many hours you can commit. Someone working 10-15 hours weekly at $15-20/hour might earn $600-$1,200 monthly. Work is often project-based, so income fluctuates. You might have busy months followed by slow periods with limited opportunities.

Testing sessions through platforms like PlaytestCloud pay per session rather than hourly. A 30-minute session might pay $15-30, but you won't get sessions daily. Frequency depends on your demographic, gaming setup, and platform demand.

Beta testing opportunities sometimes pay per bug found rather than hourly. Rates vary widely, but this model is less common for paid work.

Geographic location affects rates for some positions. Studios in expensive cities like San Francisco or Seattle often pay more for in-person testers, but remote work equalizes rates somewhat.

Side hustle perspective: This is a supplementary income opportunity, not a full-time career replacement. Treat it as a side hustle-something that brings in extra money while you maintain other income sources. Don't expect this to replace a full-time salary unless you transition into a full-time QA position at a studio.

Where to Find Work

General freelance platforms like Upwork list game testing projects. Search for "game tester," "QA tester," or "video game testing" to find opportunities. Competition exists, but consistent quality work builds your reputation on the platform.

GameTester.gg specializes in connecting game testers with studios and accepts testers at all experience levels. The platform has a user-friendly interface that simplifies onboarding for beginners entering the QA field.

PlaytestCloud focuses specifically on mobile game testing. Sessions are remote and typically shorter. The platform pays $9-60 per session depending on the test requirements.

UserTesting and Respondent occasionally have game testing opportunities alongside general user testing work. These platforms connect testers with studios for remote testing sessions.

Betabound provides access to beta testing opportunities for games and software. While not all opportunities are paid, it's a way to gain experience and occasionally find paid testing work.

Studio career pages are worth checking directly. Companies like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft Game Studios, and countless indie studios regularly hire QA testers. Check their websites under "Careers" or "Jobs."

Gaming industry job boards aggregate QA positions across multiple studios. Search for sites focused specifically on game industry careers.

LinkedIn has game testing job listings, and building a profile highlighting your testing experience can lead to opportunities. Recruiters sometimes source QA testers through LinkedIn.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Common Challenges

Repetition becomes mentally draining. Testing the same level for the 50th time trying to reproduce an intermittent bug tests your patience. The work can feel monotonous compared to playing games for fun.

Inconsistent work availability affects freelance testers. Projects have start and end dates. You might be busy for weeks then have no work for a month. Income fluctuates accordingly.

Tight deadlines create stress, especially near game launch dates. Studios enter "crunch periods" where testers work long hours to test final builds. This is more common in full-time positions but can affect freelancers too.

Playing broken games isn't enjoyable. You're testing unfinished products with crashes, glitches, and missing features. This is different from playing polished, released games.

Communication gaps between testers and developers sometimes occur. You might report bugs that don't get fixed, not because they're invalid, but due to resource constraints or differing priorities. This can be frustrating.

Competition for remote positions is significant. Many people want to work from home testing games, so securing consistent work requires building a strong reputation and delivering quality results.

Technical issues with your testing setup can delay work. If your console breaks or your PC doesn't meet requirements for a new project, you can't work until resolved.

Unclear bug reproduction steps waste time. Some bugs are intermittent or difficult to reproduce consistently, making documentation challenging.

Tips That Actually Help

Write exceptionally clear bug reports. This single skill differentiates mediocre testers from valuable ones. Include every detail: exact steps to reproduce, expected versus actual results, screenshots or video, device/platform information, game build number. Developers should be able to reproduce the bug from your report alone.

Develop a systematic testing approach. Don't just play randomly-think methodically about what could go wrong. Test edge cases, boundaries, and unusual player actions. Ask yourself: What happens if I do this action during that animation?

Take detailed notes while testing. Record what you've tested, what worked, what failed, and what still needs testing. This prevents duplicate work and ensures thorough coverage.

Learn basic game development terminology. Understanding terms like "build," "regression," "edge case," "collision detection," and platform-specific concepts helps you communicate more effectively with development teams.

Build a reputation for reliability. Meet deadlines, respond to communications promptly, and deliver thorough work. Studios remember dependable testers and offer them future projects.

Specialize if possible. Becoming known for testing specific platforms (mobile, VR, console) or genres (multiplayer, RPGs, shooters) can lead to higher-paying specialized work.

Use bug tracking tools effectively. Most studios use software like Jira, Bugzilla, or proprietary tools. Learning these systems quickly shows professionalism.

Take breaks during repetitive testing sessions. Mental fatigue causes you to miss bugs. Short breaks maintain focus and effectiveness.

Network within the gaming industry. Many opportunities come through connections. Participate in game development communities, attend industry events if possible, and build relationships with other QA professionals.

Stay updated on new gaming platforms and technologies. Understanding current gaming trends, new consoles, VR systems, and emerging platforms makes you more valuable to studios.

Learning Timeline Reality

Learning basic bug reporting and testing fundamentals takes 1-3 months if you practice 5-10 hours weekly. This includes understanding how to write clear bug reports, follow test cases, and use basic bug tracking tools.

Becoming proficient enough to work efficiently on paid projects typically takes 3-6 months of regular practice and actual testing work. You'll learn through experience what types of issues to look for and how to test more systematically.

Developing specialized skills in specific platforms or testing methodologies can take 6-12 months of focused work. Specialization often leads to better-paying opportunities.

These timelines assume consistent practice and actual testing work, not just reading about testing. Participating in beta tests and completing projects on platforms accelerates learning.

Remember these are estimates based on typical learning curves, not guarantees. Some people develop strong testing skills faster, while others need more time depending on their background, attention to detail, and dedication to improving their documentation skills.

Is This For You?

Game testing works well if you have strong attention to detail, enjoy systematic problem-solving, and can handle repetitive tasks without losing focus. If you like analyzing how things work and finding edge cases, testing suits that mindset.

This side hustle fits people seeking flexible, remote work. You can often choose projects and work hours that fit your schedule. It's accessible to beginners without formal education requirements.

Consider game testing if you want entry into the gaming industry. It's a legitimate path into game development, design, or production roles. Many industry professionals started in QA.

This isn't ideal if you want to play games casually for fun. Testing is work-systematic, sometimes tedious work. You'll play broken, unfinished games and repeat sections endlessly. If that sounds frustrating rather than interesting, testing might not suit you.

The income is supplementary for most side hustlers. If you need consistent, substantial income immediately, this might not meet your needs due to project-based work availability.

If you dislike writing or struggle with detailed documentation, testing will be challenging. The job requires extensive written communication for every bug found.

People who get frustrated by technical issues or bugs might find this stressful. You'll encounter crashes, glitches, and broken features constantly-that's the job. It requires patience and persistence.

Game testing can be a reasonable side hustle for someone with appropriate skills, realistic income expectations, and genuine interest in contributing to game quality rather than just playing games casually.