what is the work of game tester

Testing is a vital part of producing a computer game. As well as finding and recording programming faults (bugs), you would also play the role of the game’s first public user. You would report on its playability and recommend improvements.

As part of a team of quality assurance (QA) testers, you would:

• play games in detail and in as many ways as possible
• test different levels and versions of a game
• check its performance against what the designer intended
• compare the game against others on the market
• note problems and suggest improvements
• try to work out what is causing a problem
• try to recreate the problem, recording the steps you took
• check accessibility options
• check for spelling mistakes and copyright issues such as logos
• check the text on packaging and in instruction manuals
• enter each 'bug report' into a quality management system
• work to strict deadlines.

You would work closely with programmers, artists and designers before a game is released, and with customer support teams after it is on the market. Some jobs may involve checking and translating in-game instructions and manuals for overseas markets.

A good games tester has the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. You will also need patience, persistence and good office computer skills.