Video game testing sounds fun, doesn't it? Those that do play and test games know that it's an excellent job and in many cases, a great career choice. It's quite unfortunate that there are a lot of gamers that think or are somehow led to believe that being paid to test and play games are out of their reach and could remain a dream forever. Just the opposite, there are many people that love to play games, just like us, that are doing this type of work as a full blown career with benefits. It can be a fun and profitable job. Depending on how much you like to play games, it can definitely, at times, be tedious. At the same time though, it can also be creative and analytical. On top of that, it's also a great way to break into the gaming industry, for those that are maybe interested in furthering their career within the industry, or simply want to know more of what happens on the "inside."



It's important to note, that yes, having a career as a video game tester can make for a fun and exciting job. At the same time, it's important to note that this is also a real job, with real money making opportunities. It may not be for everyone, but that's obviously up to each individual. At first glance, being a tester may sound like it's "all fun and games", which it can be, but it also requires more than just playing a game. Some examples might be having to play the same levels many times over. Sometimes it can take this long just to identify all the different bugs that are presented within the game. Many people that are interested in this profession may imagine that testers spend all their day playing through the latest and greatest new titles. While this is true to a certain degree, some might not understand how much "work" they will be doing while playing these games.

Although this is obviously up to each individual and how they go about choosing what they like to do, the majority of people that are in this business do tend to be very happy with their jobs. Of course, they do get to play the hottest games on the market in addition to see what the future holds for the industry - in some cases, days, months, or even years before the general public does. Although this job does require hard work, there are many people that "compete" for positions like this within the video game industry. Because let's face it, who wouldn't love to play games for a living?

It's a fact that many known designers, programmers, etc, in the industry actually started as a tester before getting the position that they have today. So it's an excellent way for people that are interested in this industry to get their foot in the door. Contacts are everything, so meeting the right people is very important, thus being a game tester is a great way to do that.

How much do game testers get paid? It really depends on the position your interested in, and it can vary from place to place. But generally speaking, you can get paid from ten dollars an hour, all the way up too one-hundred plus dollars an hour, or more. It really just depends, and would require some research on the part of the participant that is interested in the job.

Chances are, if you love playing games, your absolutely going to love being involved with a job that requires you to test them. Thanks to the growth of this incredible interactive medium, it has opened doors for opportunities like this. If you love gaming, and want to make a career out of it, then nothing is stopping you. Playing and testing video games is a real job, that pays real money, and in many ways, it goes much beyond that.