As a Video Game Tester You Will:Get to Play Video Games
Get Paid to Play Video Games
Get Paid to Play Unreleased Games before anyone else
Get Free copies of Video Games
Get access to cheat codes, level secrets, and other "bugs" that only game testers know about.
Get real-world experience working with company departments and learn about the development, marketing, manufacturing, customer service, and testing phases of each game.
My Story
So I was playing this new shooter last week and I found a bug, when I switch from one gun to another while swimming, the first gun gets dropped. I emailed the developers, who emailed the project leaders -- who emailed me back saying "oops" and "thanks."
The week before that I got 2 free copies of games that hit stores next month. I've already passed one of those games though, so I sold the full version to my brother. I used to go out and buy games and pay monthly subscriptions to play those games online... and now I go to school, I come home and I have games waiting for me in the mail months before they get released.
I "work" with unreleased games about 4 hours a day, sometimes less, and my checks blow away what I used to get making coffee for others.
The Imitators
It wasn't always like this though. I'd go to school, go to work at a coffee shop, come home late, play games, wake up tired, and repeat everything the next day. On top of that, I also had to save up to buy games, pay monthly subscriptions to play those games, and spend hours looking for cheat codes and guides.
One day I found a website that promised me that I would play games online and get paid for it. The site charged $59.99 for the information. So I paid. After I paid I found that the site was such garbage, it was ridiculous... But the seed had been planted.
The Search & The Guide
I started doing my own research and looking for jobs that would pay me to test and play games. It took me 6 months and a lot of trial and error -- mostly error. But I documented my adventures and the sites I used.
The thing about these jobs is that the more people you tell, the more people you have to compete with when these companies hire. So like an ancient scroll I thought about burying my guide, not letting anyone ever see it. But, my friends and my conscience convinced me to share the guide.
There was no way I was going to give away 6 months worth of research. I thought about selling it for $199 so that no one would buy it, but I decided against it. I gave $99 a chance, but my friends complained... "what if it was you" they said. So I finally settled on a variable length membership, starting at $39.95. I think that is HIGHLY fair.
It takes time to land a job... some companies can take a month or more to reply, so all my memberships come with a 6+ month subscription, you get updates for 6-24 months, excellent resources, and lots of other stuff. Like I said, I think $39.95 is HIGHLY fair.
Recap
So this is my brief-story (my life-story I will not share). My guide will show you the sites that I used to find jobs that pay for game testing; I've done the trail blazing for you, so that you can save your time.
So here's a recap and some frequently asked questions:
1. Why would companies pay me to beta test games?
The game industry is now over a $50 billion dollar business. In the case of nationwide companies, producing games that have bugs in them -- games that the customers will return, means losing millions of dollars, and likely jobs.
If you buy a new MMORPG that crashes every time your character jumps while running, chances are you will not like the game and tell all of your friends not to buy it. This is a serious setback for the game company. The customers that bought their product will not buy it again and neither will their friends. This company now will have invested millions of dollars in game development, manufacturing, shipping, and marketing costs but no one will buy their game because of one glitch.
What if a game company creates a new way to play online, but it's just too complicated? This is a serious setback, the company executives might of thought that the this new system was "cool" but in fact, from the gamer's perspective, there's nothing "cool" about trying to figure out how to login to play the game online. Again, no one will buy this game and the manufacturing company will lose millions!
2. What, programmers can't catch all the glitches?
The answer is NO -- programmers are not necessarily gamers, they won't find all the bugs that a gamer will. If a company pays you $40/hr to play games and find glitches for them that would otherwise ruin the game experience for the user, and possibly hurt their sales, from their perspective it's really a good deal.
3. What kind of games will I beta test?
It will depend on the company, but all these games have been tested before release: Crysis, Bioshock, Call of Duty 4, The Witcher, and the Age of Conan.
4. Can I still go to school, or work my 9-5 job, what about Education requirements?
Most testing jobs don't require formal education.
You get paid up to $120 per hour. This will depend on your effort, knowledge, and experience.
Some jobs are 9-5, while others are test whenever you want; you will apply for the jobs that you like.
The only hard requirement is that you need to be 18 years of age or older.
5. Can I test games on the XBOX 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS, Gameboy, etc?
This will depend on the job that you land. If you only want to test games on the XBOX ONLY then your employment opportunities will obviously be limited. You will apply for jobs that you like and test on whatever system that you wish to test on.
Still have a question? Please see this page for other common questions/answers.
Below are some testimonials from people who've purchased my guide...
"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you! I got your guide, applied for a job with M****soft and I actually got it. This job kicks so much ass!!! THANK YOU" - Dave, B. Miami, FL "Here's a success story for your website... In the beginning I was a bit skeptical, but then I received a free game, and then a $300 check! I used to spend my time playing games and not being 'productive'. Now I play games AND I'm being 'productive'. What a change, right? Thank you for giving me this opportunity!" - Nick, C. New York, NY. "I just got an offer! Thanks Bro." - Adam, G. Texas.
**** Playstation 3 Giveaway ****
Want more incentive to join? GamerTestingGround.com is GIVING AWAY A 60GB PlayStation3 + 6 Brand New PS3 Games On May 31st, 2008 to one lucky gamer.
This is not some deal where you have to complete a million offers to "get a chance to win." GamerTestingGround.com will buy and ship the PS3 system to one lucky gamer!
BUT. My giveaway favors those who sign up sooner rather than later because there are a few ways to get more than one chance to win.
Note: We've already given away 8 PS3s. And we're doing it again, except now we're throwing in 6 NEW games! If you win, we'll spend up to $60/game for 6 games of your choice!
And if you already have a PS3, no worries, we'll buy a Wii, PSP, or any other system you like!
Congratulations to Tim K. from Seattle, Washington who won PS3 from us on 4/1/2008!
Congratulations to Stan B. from Missouri who won PS3 from us on 2/1/2008. Have fun!
Congratulatulations to all of our other winners. Enjoy!
3-DAY SALE
Due to an erroneous coupon I will be offering savings to everyone, starting April 11, 2008 and ending April 14, 2008 a $20 waiver will be applied to all new memberships over the membership duration.
The $64.95 24-Month Membership will cost just $44.95.
The $59.95 12-Month Membership will cost just $39.95.
The $54.95 6-Month Membership will cost just $34.95. Get Paid to Play Video Games!