Talk:Tester
International Game Developers Association
The Role of Game Testers
The main role of game testers is to find bugs to help make sure games are playable and of the highest quality before being shipped. Testing is done by playing games extensively and according to strict testing plans. Testing is designed to make sure that all possible combinations of game inputs do not crash the game or do not make it yield otherwise undesired results. Test results are sent to the programmers, who then take the feedback and use it to locate the coding errors so they can fix them. The ultimate purpose of testing is to ensure that the final game product will be free of bugs. Not only will this save the company money by reducing the need for patching, but it will also ensure that the consumer is getting the best product when they play the game upon release.
Testers usually report bugs in a bug database and directly report to a QA lead, who ensures that all tests and bugs are being performed and logged correctly. QA leads typically interact with producers and lead programmers to ensure that goals and objectives are mutual.
There are different types of testers, and the amount of knowledge required varies. Testing principles and plans can vary from company to company and depending on the nature of the project. For example, PC games need compatibility, whereas closed systems (i.e., handhelds and consoles) do not. Regardless of variations all testers need to follow plans strictly, find bugs and describe them accurately, and record and submit them quickly and according to protocol.
Qualifications
Game testing is typically an entry-level position and at larger level companies. In smaller companies, the programmers usually take care of some or all of testing, as game-development is financially risky and budgets at newer, smaller companies are stretched. Large companies almost always have testing teams that vary in size from just two people to over fifty. Some game companies require previous related experience for a candidate to be considered; however, the basics of game-testing can easily be picked up in training if the candidate has analytical skills and is capable of learning quickly. The more a candidate knows about programming or the more a candidate is able to conceptualize, programming, the quicker he or she can comprehend game-testing principles.
Scams / Training
There are a lot of scams online about playing video games from home for a large amount of money. These offers are typically ebooks or packages that simply tell the buyer to learn to play games professionally, engage in online gambling, or other high-risk activities.
Real game testing is done as a job, almost always at an onsite location.
An online program can teach real testing principles and give practice; even then the user should be careful and verify that there is a phone number, address, and email account on the site that can be contacted. Any program that charges money to learn about a work-from-home job is fraudulent. Game testing is not a work-from-home job.
