Everyone has a dream job – a career that they have been pining for since they were six years old. I had a few of them – one of which was video game testing. So, when I realized that there guides on the Internet that promised to show me how I could become a video game tester and start making money while testing, I was pretty freaking excited. This was something I’d dreamed of for years.
But, it turns out that not all video game testing guides are created equal. Some of them are a little less useful than others – in fact some of them are downright useless. So, before you embark on the same quest I did, I want to share with you what I’ve discovered – which guides rise to the top of the list and can actually help you prepare your skillsets and mindframe for a job in this industry. It’s more complicated than you think and the course you choose should reflect that.
Reviewed Guide: Beta Gaming Testers
Editor's Rating:
5/5
Review Summary:
Beta Gaming Testers is a standalone guide you can download with a one time payment. It’s written by T.S. Sanders –a fairly prolific online gaming writer who frequently describes how much time he has spent in beta tests for top MMOs and social games.
So, the fact that he provides an in-depth overview of the game testing industry is no surprise. The big surprise here is how detailed it is, not just with industry information (all three of these guides do a good job of that), but in how it outlines your route to getting in there and making money yourself.
It’s a realistic portrayal of what it takes to get into the game testing industry – hard knocks and all – outlined in a way that will show you how to get educated, find experience, and build up a portfolio that shows potential employers why you are one of the best options out of thousands of potential applicants.
There is an admitted lack of bonuses here, but that’s not what you’re paying for – especially with so many other free resources available online.
Conclusion:
Beta Gaming Testers is a top pick because it is concise, to the point, and effective in laying out what you need to get a jump start in the video game testing industry.
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Reviewed Guide: Only 4 Gamers
Editor's Rating:
 4/5
Review Summary:
The Only 4 Gamers site is built around the idea of providing up to date information about jobs in the industry. They do provide a relatively in-depth guide that helps you develop an understanding of the industry and what’s expected of you, but for the most part, they place a lot of stock in those job listings.
So, the question here comes down to whether you are interested in getting up to date job listings week after week or if you are comfortable seeking them out on your own through craigslist or Monster. The majority of posts here are not unique, so you will find them elsewhere, though having them in a single, easy to read location is a nice touch. There is also a nice list of all the schools with video game degree courses and gaming companies located in North America.
The actual game testing information is slightly less in-depth than the other two guides reviewed on this page. That’s not a bad thing, though. Only 4 Gamers is very efficient at succinctly covering all the basics of the industry, giving you a good understanding of what you’ll be working with if you get a job in this field.
Finally, there are the bonuses – for the most part, they are throw ins that are designed to get you to sign up. A quick visit to Gamefaqs would be a better way to get tips or tricks to your favourite game, and the selection is relatively random.
Conclusion:
Only 4 Gamers is a good guide with a lot of added value in those job listings. It’s not my top pick, but it will definitely provide the information you're looking for when preparing for a job in game testing.
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Reviewed Guide: Gamer Testing Ground
Editor's Rating:
4/5
Review Summary:
My final pick for game testing guides is Gamer Testing Ground. This guide has long been a top seller in this field and for good reason. The biggest problem I have here is that it is a monthly membership. The membership is very inexpensive, but there is no lifetime option, so even if you pay slightly extra for a two year membership, in two years you will no longer have access to your content.
Realistically, you should probably be well on your way to landing a job within two years of starting, but that shouldn’t be assumed by anyone. That gripe aside, Gamer Testing Ground is a good resource, providing in-depth firsthand experience about how to be a game tester in a variety of niches.
The guides are also loaded with up to date information about the gaming industry and a few good resources for where to start looking and what most game development companies are looking for when they start hiring new people.
Conclusion:
Is Gamer Testing Ground bigger or better than the other two guides on this list? Probably not, but it is a very good option if you’re looking for a secondary outlook on this field. It’s not perfect (as none of these guides are), but it is very thorough in covering the easiest route to making a killing in the game testing industry.
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FULL DISCLOSURE: I am an affiliate for the three guides listed on this page. I receive a commission for any sales made through this site.
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