There are some people who absolutely love playing video games. Naturally, the perfect job for this person would be my talking tom hack. While it is fun work, it is also a serious job. Game testers are responsible for testing through all the steps while it is still in the development phase. Since it may be full of bugs, it is essential for a game tester to have patience.
Game testers must be organized and disciplined because they need to follow strict procedures. This job is not just about generating the highest score, but rather following a precise course of action to determine if the game is functioning as intended. An eye for detail is a must in this position, as is a cursory understanding of game programming and game design, so that any flaw found can be documented and fixed before the finished product is sent to market.
Video game testing is serious business. All testers must have a working knowledge of computer hardware and software. In addition, excellent communication skills are needed so that he or she can note the flaws in the game and evaluate/communicate its overall performance to designers. Therefore, testers must posses great eye-hand coordination and effective communication skills.
Bringing a new video game into the marketplace is time-consuming and expensive. Writers create the game’s characters, and illustrators give them life. Code programmers create the world the characters will operate in. Typically, game testers are introduced to the game early in the development process to help iron out flaws along the way. Game testers are called on often during the development stage to test the game at certain intervals and ensure quality.
Video game developers take the testing process seriously. Should a flawed game be sent to store shelves it can cost the manufacturer in terms of both lost revenue and a tarnished reputation. Hardcore video game enthusiasts want their games to work perfectly. Lose the gamers trust, and the game company risks losing market share. Yes, testing is serious business, and the worst case scenario is recalling a defective game from store shelves.
Game testers are problem finders. Some game testers only test the software, while others test for hardware compatibility and potential issues. Repetitive testing is applied to make sure problems do not crop up. If problems do arise, it might only happen in certain situations, and the tester is responsible for finding and noting the defect. Hardware tests might be implemented to the controller to see how the game performs under heavy use.
Many enthusiasts may think being a tester is all about playing. Some testing can be menial; for example, an entry-level tester may be required to turn the console on and off hundreds of times. Another tester might be asked to download movies while playing, just to see how the system responds.