Paid Video Game Testing- Why Should I Become a Video Game Tester?

It's a valid question...why should you, or anyone else for that matter, become a professional video game tester? To figure that out, we should probably go over the benefits of paid game testing. That way, you can decide if a career as a video game tester is something you really want to pursue.

The biggest thing that makes this profession so attractive is the fact that you're playing video games and making money. Whether you want to call it testing, evaluating, analyzing, or helping, you're still playing a video game when you get down to the facts.

If you were to ask any of your friends if they want to get paid to play video games, what would they say? You already know the answer, don't you? You know because you are saying the same thing right now, HELL YES! If you are a gamer at heart, the idea of playing video games for money probably makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. After all, you probably never would have guessed that you could test games from your home and then collect a nice fat paycheck at the end of the week. And when you think about it, that's what being a video game tester is all about, testing the newest and coolest video games from home and getting paid for it.

That actually brings up another good question. How much do game testers really get paid? Well, that's yet another great thing about video game testing...most video game testers are paid quite well. It's true. To be honest, when first starting out with paid game testing, things can be a bit rough; but that usually passes quickly with a bit of time and experience.

Okay, you're probably looking for an actual figure to work with, right? Alright then, heres something for you to mull over: As a professional video game tester, you can literally make up to $120 PER HOUR! I'm sure you've seen this claim on advertisements or websites before, and you were probably thinking that it was just hype or a scam; well, it's not. Admittedly, you won't make that much when you first start, but you can reach that level with more experience and better references. As a new game tester, expect to make anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 a year; depending on your dedication & work ethic of course. You will only get work so long as you are active and willing to test games constantly. That means if you stop applying for jobs and/or positions, the money will likely stop rolling in.

What other perks are there? Well, aside from the fact that you are testing games from home, you also usually get to keep the games you test. You heard correct, you actually get to keep the video games you test for game companies. And although they aren't technically finished, many of the games are in the final stages of development, which means that there will only be a few bugs to deal with and you're getting the game almost 100% complete. Okay, so it's not exactly perfect, but a free video game is still a free video game nonetheless. Not to mention, you get to play the newest & coolest video games before anyone else; that's got to count for something, right?

So, what's the verdict? Does this sound like a career that you could really enjoy and make money from? If it does, I suggest you get started ASAP. Game companies and developers are always on the lookout for bright, new testers, so just get yourself out there.

If you don't know where to start, you should check out GameTestingParadise.com. It has everything an aspiring game tester needs to get started with professional game testing. Honestly, no video game tester should be without the information they offer. Do yourself a favor and check it out. I guarantee you won't regret it!

Video Game Testing- Can You Make It as a Video Game Tester?

A lot of people fantasize about starting a video game tester career. They might have seen some over-hyped advertisement on the Internet saying they can make $300 an hour of playing video games in your underwear. But is this true? Why would companies pay people to play video games?

In this article, I will tell you exactly why game developers pay good money to video game testers, which should show you the true possibilities of a video game tester career.

First, let's consider the facts -- the gaming industry makes a lot of money every year, $50 billion to be exact. That's a lot of money at stake. Now that you know that, I want you to imagine what would happen if you released a video game that generated $2 million in income for your esteemed company. However, only a week after releasing the game, there was a serious flaw found in the game, which no one spotted before the game's release. As a result, many gamers were angered and wanted an immediate refund.

The outcome? You lose all kinds of sales and investors will not be as confident in your company as they once were; plus, many of the companies employees will begin losing their jobs at an alarming rate. That's not all; it gets worse. If you were the gamer, would you willingly buy from a company again, knowing that games they released in the past crashed and were unplayable? Or, are you more likely to tell your friends and family how horrible the game, and the company that made it, is?

Basically, the point is, one single glitch can end up costing a company millions & millions of dollars. If the company was depending on the success of the game, everything will be a downward spiral from then on, generally speaking of course. Budget cuts, investors pulling out, mass employee layoffs, and possibly an entire company shutdown if nothing changes. And to think, all of this from a single glitch in a single video game.

Luckily though, this can all be avoided by sending the game out to multiple video game testers; as this will ensure that there are virtually no bugs in the game before it is released to the public. Because of this fact, it is very possible to earn a high-paying career as a video game tester. Think about it, the above scenario would happen to every game company if there were no reliable video game testers.

Another reason that video game tester careers are available is because companies want accurate feedback on their games. Let's say you designed an online game that had all these great features and offered all sorts of advantages that your competitors didn't. The only problem, though, it's too complicated and confusing for the player to get into. You can fix this problem by sending it out to reputable video game testers, taking their feedback, and tweaking the interface until it is both easy to use and still holds all those great features.

The fact in the matter is that the basic programmer has so many things they have to keep track of that they can NOT catch all, or even half, of the glitches in the video game. Remember, they approach games from a programming standpoint, not from a gamers point of view.

With all these facts in mind, isn't it time you pursued a career as a video game tester? If you're a serious gamer, you should, at the very least, investigate video game testing jobs further. After all, you could be just what the gaming companies are looking for.

Do You Think You Can Make It As A Video Game Tester? If You Do, Click Here To Find Out

How To Become a Professional Video Game Tester in 5 Simple Steps

Step One: Be Proactive!
You won't land any video game tester jobs if you just sit around and wait for a "Game Testers Wanted" ad to appear in the newspaper. It won't happen. So instead of sitting back and waiting for a miracle to occur, just get out there and find the perfect video game testing job for you.

Head straight to the game companies and developers and apply for testing jobs. Since they aren't looking for you, the only logical step is to actively search for them. Once you find them (which shouldn't take too long), apply for a game tester position with them and then repeat the process for as many different companies as humanly possible.

On your application/resume, brag about all of your video game achievements, such as the consoles you own, the games you've played, the games you own, the MMORPGs you are apart of, and anything else that shows how much experience you have with video games. And if you want to help your cause even further, create a website/blog that talks about video games, gives reviews, previews, cheats, hints, tips, etc.

You have to remember that experience and professionalism count for a lot in this industry. Therefore, the more experience you have and the more professional you are, the better your chances are for getting a video game tester job.

Step Two: Step Out of Fairy Tale Land and Into Reality
You have to realize that video game testing is a job. Yes, it's a really fun job, but it is still a job nonetheless. This means that you have to treat it as such and take every part of it seriously. Don't merely sit down and play the game to have a good time. Sit down and play the game so that you can collect a paycheck when you're through.

Many "wanna-be" testers believe that being a professional video game tester is a "no work, all play" type of career. Honestly, they couldn't be more wrong. Although there aren't huge amounts of work that a game tester must wade through, there are still a few things that he/she has to complete. For instance, filling out reports. Surprised? Well, most aspiring young testers are when they hear that there is actual work involved with video game testing.

Contrary to what you may have thought, you won't be simply playing games and giving your opinion on whether they are good or not. You will actually be testing them. You will play through a game, find any bugs or glitches, and then fill out reports on any problems that you come across. This is to help the developers and programmers locate and fix those problems. You don't have to be an English professor or a college graduate to write bug reports, but you will have to have basic writing skills. Aside from the reports, you will also be required to fill out numerous questionnaires; which are typically opinion based.

As soon as you accept the fact that you'll be doing actual work as a video game tester, you will have much more success finding testing jobs.


Part 2 Of This Article Can Be Found Below, Or By Clicking Here


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What's So Great about Gamefly?

When you take into account all of the different factors that come with renting games from places like BlockBuster or Hollywood Video, you will realize that renting video games from home is so much more convenient. You don't have to deal with lines, moody clerks, shortages, or out standing late fees. Plus, you will never have to walk farther than your mailbox to get your rented games!

The Things That Make Gamefly Great:

* No late fees; you keep the games as long as you like.

* Offers four distinct rental plans, ranging from a very low $15.95 per month to a slightly higher $36.95 per month.

* Huge selection Of Video Games From All Consoles & Handhelds Systems. 5000+ Titles.

* Gamefly pays all shipping fees and they provide pre-paid envelopes for all game rentals & purchases.

* If you like the game you rented, keep it and pay only a fraction of the retail cost! (Example: A new $60 Game would be Marked Down to $44)

How Gamefly Rentals Work:

Traditional renting stores work by allowing you to pick out your games, pay the renting fee, and then bring the game(s) back 5 days later. After those 5 days, you bring the game(s) back and repeat the process. If you are a day late, you usually wind up paying for another 5 days, even if you don't plan on playing the game ever again.

On the other hand, Gamefly works completely different and gives the renter much more flexibility. Here's how it works:

1. You begin by choosing up to 50 games that you would like to rent. These games are then placed in your "Game Q", which is your personal game renting list.

2. When a Game becomes Available, Gamefly sends it out to you immediately, depending on your current subscription plan of course; 1, 2, 3, or 4 Games out at a time

3. When you are finished with a game, you'll put it into the provided pre-paid envelope and then ship it back to them. After it has been sent back, Gamefly then sends out the next available game in your Game Q. Due to Gamefly's speedily service known as "Fast Return", the next game in your list will usually ship out within 1 day.

Gamefly's Different Subscription Plans:

1. One game out- $15.95 per month.

2. Two games out- $22.95 per month.

3. Three games out- $29.95 per month.

4. Four games out- $36.95 per month.

GameFly Review: The Weigh-in
Among all the online rental services, Gamefly is definitely the king. It's not just the king because it is the most widely known or because of it's convenience. It's the king because of its enormous selection of game titles as well as its above average turnaround time.

Their Game Selection: Without a Doubt, Gamefly has the best video game selection of any renting retailer, offline or online. Aside from carrying games for all of the major Console Systems (XBOX 360, PS3, Wii, Xbox, PS2, Gamecube), they also carry games for all of the popular handheld devices as well. The moment a game releases, Gamefly carries it and ships it out to it's subscribers. It truly has the greatest video game section.

Their Turn-Around Time: If a online renting service doesn't have a decent turn-around time, they won't likely be around for long. With that being said, Gamefly has been around a very long time, which is, in no small part, due to it's excellent turn-around time. The argument of many is that online renting services are much more expensive than local renting stores. This is simply untrue. As a matter of fact, it is usually the exact opposite.

On average, it takes about 5 days to ship back and receive a new game from gamefly. Let's say you are on the 2-plan subscription; if you were to keep each game for 5 days before sending it back, you would end up renting about 6 games during the month and you would only pay $22.95. Compare that to a local retail store, which would probably charge you $40 or more for those same rentals, and you end up with a large amount of monthly savings.

Plus, if you rent a crappy game from a local store, you can't take it back and exchange it for another; you are stuck with it for those 5 days. On the flip side, if you happen to like the game and want to keep it longer, you would have to pay the rental fee again. With Gamefly, whether you want to return the game instantly or keep it for a full week, it is the same flat fee every month and you can rent as many games as you want.

The Final Analysis
If you're a true gamer at heart, then Gamefly is definitely something you should try out. Gamefly lets us try games before we buy them; which allows us to tinker with the "ok, but not great" games that we normally wouldn't take the time to toy with if we had to purchase or rent them at a higher price. The online system is so simple to use that you'll quickly find yourself becoming a more seasoned gamer just because of the fun you have while browsing through each consoles game selection.

Honestly, who wouldn't love to find small presents in their mailbox 5-6 times a month?

Sign-Up For Gameflys Free Trial And Start Renting Games From Home

Gamers should also keep in mind that Gamefly is an excellent place to get up-to-date video game information. If you visit the website, you will find Pics, Videos, Critic Reviews, User Reviews, Hints, Cheats, Walkthroughs, and so much more on all the latest titles. Gamely is a goldmine of video game information.

Start Getting Video Games Delivered Right To Your Door!

A Dream Come True: The XBOX 360 Price Drop

The XBOX 360 is a remarkable piece of gaming machinery that happens to come at a remarkable price of $399. $399 dollars for a video game system sounds a bit expensive, doesn't it? Well, lots of people still think so, which is exactly what is keeping them from enjoying the gaming power house that is an X-box 360. But that has now changed (hopefully) with the announcement of an XBOX 360 Price Drop.

In light of the Playstation 3 price, a whooping $499 (recently reduced from $599), the XBOX 360 does seem to be slightly more obtainable. However, that doesn't change the fact that it is still expensive and some people just can't afford it. Therefore, in an effort to make it more affordable and spread the XBOX 360 joy this holiday season, Microsoft has reduced 360 prices by $50. Here's the Break Down of the Price Reductions, which went into effect August 8th:


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Premium Package (20-gig hard drive, component video cables, and a wireless controller) went from $399 to $349. $50 Savings
The Elite (120-gig hard drive, black casing and HDMI output) went from $479 to $449. A slightly Smaller $30 savings.
The Core system (no hard drive, wired controller) went from $299 to $279. Smallest Savings of $20.
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This price drop was basically an answer to Sony's PS3 price drop, which lowered it's premium PS3 package from $599 to $499. Aside from that obvious motive, the 360 price drop also coincides with the release of "Madden NFL 2008", which starts the line up of the 2007 holiday season. This is no ordinary video game line up either. The XBOX 360 line up of '07 is, supposedly, going to be the best in video game history; and that's not a giant ego talking, that's the complete truth.

Don't believe it? Then take a moment and look up the games that are coming out in the next few months; from August on. See any 360 titles that you want to get your hands on? How many of them make your wallet ache; simply because you know you're going to buy them right when they come out? Well, if you didn't see at least 5 great xbox360 titles, then you are looking in the wrong place.


Here are just a Few of the Sure-Fire Hits Being Released In the Upcoming Months.
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BioShock- 8/20

Blue Dragon- 8/28

Stranglehold- 9/7

Halo 3- 9/25

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock- 10/23

Conan- 10/25

Jericho- 10/25

Blacksite: Area 51- 11/7

Call of Duty 4- 11/7

Assassin's Creed- 11/15

Army of Two- 11/15

Mass Effect- 11/30

And So Many More!!
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Did you see all the titles in that list? Now you should understand why Microsoft is confident with their price drop. The price drop alone is enough to get people interested in buying the XBOX 360. However, if you combine that with the best gaming line up in video game history, you'll have yourself one hell of a profit explosion. The people over at Microsoft clearly know what they're doing.

An Award Winning Line Up for the XBOX 360

As you know, the XBOX 360 and the PS3 are going head to head for the gaming gold. You could even say that the Wii has a strong foothold in the fight and could wind up passing both of them in the long run. But whatever your opinion might be, one fact remains: The XBOX 360 has got one hell of a line up for the remaining months of 2007.

Here are just a few of the awesome titles that are coming out or have already been released:


BioShock (Released in August)
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A FPS Shooter truly Like no other. BioShock breaks the mold and throws out the whole running & gunning FPS concept. Instead of following the crowd, the people at "Take Two" have brought gamers a story like no other, gameplay that will blow you away, action too intense for the wannabe gamer, and graphics that even give "Gears of War" a run for it's money. Just take a look at some of the critics ratings and see for yourself!


Mass Effect (Due To Release In November)
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This RPG is going to raise the bar for all future RPGs. Bioware, the creators of KOTOR (Knights of the Old Republic), are at it again. This time it is with Mass Effect, a sci-fi action RPG that combines real-time combat with classic RPG elements. If you are not a fan of RPGs or games that are filled with hours upon hours of extra gameplay, amazing action at every turn, choices that effect in-game events, and fantastic graphics, then this game might not be for you. This has “Game of the Year” written all over it.


Assassin's Creed (Due To Release In November)
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Gamers have been waiting for a true assassins game for a very long time, and now, they are going to get one. Instead of changing your clothes & identity, using pistols & machines guns, and hiding in dark corners, players will now walk freely in the streets and wield an arsenal of “concealed” medieval weapons. This is called "Crowd Stealth" and plays completely different than the standard "hide & seek" maneuvers. And in this case, different = A LOT BETTER! Not only that, but players will also be able to free roam on a massive scale and do things they never thought possible in a video game. If it weren't for the already outstanding fall/winter line up that the XBOX360 has, this game would be a shoo-in for game of the Year.


StrangleHold (Released in September)
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This is an Action Packed third person shooter that follows up on the movie "Hard Boiled", by John Woo. This game has you sliding over counter-tops, gliding around on rolling carts, jumping off walls, sliding down railings, leaping through rooms, and running up dinosaur exhibits, all while firing barrages of bullets at your enemies in an attempt to kill them all before they kill you. Everything (EVERYTHING!) is destructible and Ammo is in no short supply. Combine all that with Tequila Time (slo-mo) special moves and awesome graphics and you have one hell of a great action game for the XBOX 360.


Blue Dragon (Released in August)
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There are two sides to the RPG spectrum: serious RPG games and cartoon-y anime based ones. If Mass Effect is the serious RPG of 07, then Blue Dragon is definitely the anime one. But luckily, it's cartoon-y anime style does not subtract from it's fun. If anything, it actually adds that "x" factor to the game and makes it even more enjoyable.

Blue Dragon is truly a massive game (3 discs) that lets the player do whatever he/she wants. Unlike Mass Effect, this game is a classic RPG with the combat being turn based instead of real-time; and that is actually what gives Blue Dragon it's appeal. It's not hard to see that this is Microsoft's answer to Final Fantasy; so it's guaranteed to turn a few heads.

Create your own combat styles, make your own choices (which will effect the world around you), and take part in your very own adventure with "Blue Dragon", an Xbox-360 Exclusive.


Skate (Released in September)
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We've all heard of Tony Hawk and his skateboarding video games, as they have been appearing on our consoles for more then 7 years now. However, Skate is not even remotely similar to the Tony Hawk franchise. Instead of being a mindless button smashing, highest score whore, like the Tony Hawk franchise, "Skate" brings a new level of skill to the skateboarding game genre. Each move that is completed gives the player a sense of accomplishment and each move that is failed forces the player to consider what he did wrong; as opposed to how many times he did or did not hit a specific button.

You've undoubtedly seen good graphics & physics from skateboarding games before, but these will blow you away. "Skate" could very likely raise the bar for all future skateboarding games.

And of Course....The Champion of Champions....


Halo 3 (Released in September)
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If you're a gamer and you don't know what Halo is, well, then you're really not a gamer. Halo 3 needs no introductions, nor does it need any relentless fan boasting. Quite Honestly, the game can easily sell itself. The past 2 Halo games have been awesome hits and the third one is guaranteed to be an even bigger success. Why? Because it has more story, more weapons, more vehicles, more enemies, more features, more multiplayer matches, more explosions, more, more, more, more, more! Halo 3 Just Has More!


This year will definitely belong to the XBOX 360. Why? Simply because many of those game releases are 360 exclusives; which basically means that the PS3 has been left high and dry for the year of 2007. The past two years of XBOX-360 goodness have been nothing to complain about, but this is the year when the 360 rips the gaming world a new one and shows us all what it can really do!