Game Testers are skilled professionals who are in charge of inspecting several aspects of a game, writing reports, reporting bugs and issues, and re-test when it is fixed. Game Testers also look for graphical or audio glitches. By becoming a game tester, one can have access to the games that are yet to be released and a dream job for video game lovers.
In order to be a Game Tester in India, candidates must have completed class 12th in the science stream along with computer science as one of the main subjects. Candidates can also pursue various undergraduate Game Design courses, Game Development Courses, or Programming Language Courses. Candidates can pursue various certification courses or diploma courses for game designing or game development online as well as offline. The average course fee is around INR 30,000 to 1,00,000 per year. The top colleges offering these courses are Anna University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Chandigarh University, Chitkara University, Lovely Professional University, etc.
The average salary of a Game Tester is around INR 3.20 LPA while the highest salary can go up to INR 15 LPA. The salary of a Game tester also depends on a number of other factors such as candidates with 0- 2 years of experience can get upto INR 3.10 LPA while candidates with more than 10 years of experience can expect a salary of around INR 8.23 LPA - 9.76 LPA. Some of the top recruiters offering high pay are BYJU, Ubisoft, etc. Candidates can also work as freelancers as well.
Table of Content
- How to Become a Game Tester: Quick Facts
- Qualifications Required to Become a Game Tester
- Types of Game Testers
5.1 How to Become a Game Tester After 12th
6.1 Entrance Exams
8.1 India
8.2 Abroad
How to Become a Game Tester: Quick Facts
Industry | Gaming |
Eligibility | Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above or an equivalent CGPA Must have a science stream with computer science as one of the main subjects |
Top Recruiters | BYJU’s, Ubisoft, GlobalStep, Pole to Win, Rockstar Games, Indium Software, Babel Media, First Student, Keywords Studios, Reliance Games |
Related Industries | Creative agencies, Esports associations, Software developers, Trade and retail organizations |
Required Skills | Javascript, Knowledge of IT, Good Communication, Attention to detail, Problem-solving skills, updated with Technology |
Average Starting Salary | INR 3.2 LPA |
Highest Salary | INR 15.8 LPA |
Qualifications Required to Become a Game Tester
Game testers can work with or without a formal degree but there are some game testers who are required to possess a license in order to work for top organizations in India as well abroad. Some of the essential qualifications are listed below for your reference,
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above or an equivalent CGPA
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 in the science stream with computer science as one of the compulsory subjects.
- Candidates need to clear the entrance exam and get into a top college for an undergraduate program such as B.Tech in Computer Science, B.SC in Computer Science, etc
- Candidates are required to possess some necessary skills such as coding, graphic illustrations, creativity, good observations, etc.
- Candidates can pursue online certification and diploma courses for the development of skills.
Types of Game Testers
Board Game Testers
Definition | Board game testers are responsible for testing the quality and potentiality of board games. |
Average Annual Salary | INR 3.2 LPA |
Playstation Game Testers
Definition | PlayStation is a gaming company that creates video games and hires game testers to check the quality and feasibility of PlayStation games and suggests improvements within them. |
Average Annual Salary | INR 8.9 LPA |
Microsoft Game Testers
Definition | Microsoft game testers are responsible for checking errors and glitches in Microsoft-designed games and suggesting improvement if any. |
Average Annual Salary | INR 8.7 LPA |
Video Game Testers
Definition | Video game testers are responsible for testing all the levels of a video game to find errors, if any, during the development phase. |
Average Annual Salary | INR 3.00 LPA |
Steps to Become a Game Tester
The below-mentioned steps would help students to know what needs to be done to become a Game Tester.
Game Enthusiast | If the candidate is very much interested in video games, then this might be the right career choice for the candidate as this career requires the candidate to work long hours and play games to different levels to test it. |
Pass Senior Secondary School | Candidates are required to clear 10+ from a recognized board. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, it would be really beneficial for the candidate to clear it as it provides basic knowledge and also many of the firms require the candidate to become a game tester who has formal education. It would be preferable if the candidate opts for the Science stream along with mathematics as a compulsory subject. |
Get a Bachelor’s Degree | A candidate is required to have completed a bachelor's degree as it enhances the chances of landing a high-paying job in India as well as abroad. Candidates are required to clear entrance exams such as AIEED, CEED, NID, etc to get into top colleges in India. Candidates can choose to pursue programs in game design, computer programming, software engineering, software development, etc. |
Develop Testing skills | It is very essential for the candidate to possess some technical as well as soft skills in order to be a game tester. Skills such as focus, attention to detail, writing skills, technical skills etc are some of the few important skills. Due to its technicality, candidates will need to stay in touch with game developers so candidates are also required to have good communication skills. |
Gain Technical Knowledge | Since this is a technical field, candidates are required to possess some technical knowledge about the games or the dynamics. They also have the responsibility to enhance user experience. Having technical knowledge makes the candidates aware of the technical details so that they can use their knowledge and skills at their time of need. |
How to Become a Game Tester in India
To become a Game tester in India, Candidates are not required to possess any formal education but many of the top game-developing companies opt for education. Preparations to be a Game Tester can begin from home as well as school. Candidates must be an enthusiast as well as knowledgeable about the games. Post completion of 12th board exam candidates can opt to pursue undergraduate courses such as B.Tech in Software Engineering, B.Sc in Computer Science, BCA, etc. Candidates also have a choice to go for short-term courses such as certification courses, diploma courses, and Postgraduate diploma courses as well. These courses are very beneficial for the development of skills.
School Level Preparation: In order to become a Game Tester the steps that are to be followed are mentioned
- Candidates must be very much into games and should be knowledgeable enough to understand the concept and logic behind the game and should also be able to suggest necessary changes.
- Candidates need to clear 10+2 with subjects Physics, Chemistry along with mathematics and computer as compulsory subjects.
- Candidates can start preparing for the entrance exams in order to get admission into top colleges in India.
- Candidates can take coaching, solve previous years' papers, practice drawing skills, etc regularly to get a grasp on the subjects.
How to Become a Game Tester After 12th
Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the crucial steps that must be followed in order to be a Game Tester are as follows:
- Candidates must appear for the entrance exams such as AIEED, CEED, NID, etc to get into top design colleges in India.
- It would be beneficial for the candidates to enroll themselves in the programs such as game designing, computer programming, software engineering, software development, software testing, etc.
- Candidates can also take the help of Youtube and other online platforms for learning skills and tricks for the purpose of understanding the flaws in the game and rectifying them.
- Candidates can also start creating their own games and publish them on the play store or app store for everyone to download.
Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed to become an after completing Undergraduate courses are,
- If the candidate wants to pursue a master’s program, they need to prepare for the entrance exam such as GATE, etc
- Candidates need to choose their specialization according to their interests and in the area in which they want to make their career.
- Candidates can also pursue various relevant certifications, diplomas, or postgraduate diplomas in order to develop skills that can be useful in the long run.
Game Tester Courses
To be a Game Tester, there are several courses which the candidate can pursue are tabulated below for your reference with all the relevant details.
Parameters | B. Tech in Computer Science | BSc Multimedia Animation and Graphics | BDes Animation | B. Tech in Computer Science |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duration | 4 years | 3 years | 3 year | 4 years |
Eligibility | Candidates must have completed 10+2 Level with Physics, Chemistry and Maths Candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% and above Must clear JEE mains & JEE advanced for admissions in IITs |
Candidates must have completed 10+2 levels with Physics, Chemistry, and mathematics. Candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% and above and Must clear the relevant entrance exams. |
Candidates must have completed 10+2 Level or equivalent level examination from any recognized board Candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% and above |
Candidates must have completed 10+2 Level with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths Candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% and above Must clear JEE mains & JEE advanced for admissions in IITs |
Top Colleges | IIT Kharagpur IIT Delhi BITS Pilani IIT Roorkee IIT Madras |
Amity University Chandigarh University Arena Animation IIFA Multimedia |
Symbiosis Institute of Design Lovely Professional University NIFT National Institute of Design |
IIT Kharagpur IIT Delhi BITS Pilani IIT Roorkee IIT Madras |
Entrance Exams | JEE Mains JEE Advanced BITSAT |
UCEED LPU NEST NIFT |
NID DAT NIFT |
JEE Mains JEE Advanced BITSAT |
Average course fees | INR 60000- 2 L per year | INR 30000 - 4 L per year | INR 2 L- 4 L per year | INR 60000- 2 L per year |
Average Salary | INR 4 L- 13 LPA | INR 2 L- 5 LPA | INR 2 L- 7 LPA | INR 4 L- 13 LPA |
How to Become a Game Tester Abroad
The gaming industry is not only popular in India but also abroad. Candidates opt to study abroad because of the advanced technology. There are several good universities that offer gaming courses. There are several countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia that offer various top gaming courses with wider career opportunities and high salary packages. Candidates must also ensure that they check the eligibility criteria before applying for the course as it might differ from country to country.
Discussed below are some of the important eligibility criteria to get admission Abroad. Some of them are provided below for your reference.
- For undergraduate programs, the candidate must have completed 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 60% or above from a recognized institute,
- Candidates are required to clear the English Proficiency tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.
- Candidates must have scored a minimum of 110 in TOEFL or 6.5 Score in IELTS.
- For post-graduation, candidates must have cleared graduation with an aggregate of 65% or above from the recognized university.
- Candidates need to appear for the entrance exam as GMAT or GRE or any other university entrance exam.
- Candidates are also required to submit letters of recommendation and reference letters to the university applying from the previous college attended.
- Candidates are also required to submit a Statement of Purpose specifying academic achievements along with reasons describing choosing the university.
Top Game Tester Colleges
In India, there are a total of 262 game design and game developing colleges that offer full-time game designing, game developing, and game testing courses. Out of these 196 colleges are private colleges and the rest of the colleges are public or private- public. Apart from this, The demand for Game Testing has also seen worldwide growth. Some of the top colleges abroad are the University of British Columbia, Warwick University, etc.
Some of the top universities in India as well as abroad are tabulated below along with the course fees for your reference,
India
Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
---|---|---|
IIFA Multimedia | Bangalore | 65,000 |
Backstage Pass Institute of Gaming and Technology | Telangana | 2.60 L |
Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) | Noida | 50,000 |
Delhi Technological University | New Delhi | 1.60 L |
CV Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar | 1.90 L |
Madras Christian College (MCC) | Chennai | 70,000 |
VELS Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies | Chennai | 4.20 L |
The American College,Madurai | Chennai | 3.90 L |
KL University, Guntur | Andhra Pradesh | 2.50 L |
IACG Multimedia College | Andhra Pradesh | 3.50 L |
Abroad
Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
---|---|---|
University of Southampton | United Kingdom | 26.90 L |
Plymouth University | United Kingdom | - |
University of Strathclyde | United Kingdom | - |
University of British Columbia | Canada | - |
Nova Scotia Community college | Canada | - |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA | 41.70 L |
University of Southern California | USA | 42.96 L |
Michigan State University | USA | 6.79 L |
Queensland university of technology | Australia | 21.11 L |
University of South Australia | Australia | 20.12 L |
Skills Required to become a Game Tester
Being a Game Tester is wholly a skill-based field. Candidates must be aware of the latest development in technology along with some soft skills and technical skills which will help the candidates to land a high-paying job as well as several opportunities in the top companies. Some of the top skills required to be a game tester are tabulated below for your reference,
Strong IT Skills | Problem-Solving skills | Time Management skills |
Creativity | Good Communication | Updated with the technology |
Knowledge of Database | Knowledge of Software Development | Knowledge of Games and Virtual Reality |
Pros & Cons of Becoming a Game Tester
Every profession has its own set of positives and negatives that the candidates need to keep in mind while choosing their options. Some of the pros and cons are discussed below for your reference,
Pros of Becoming a Game Tester
- Work remotely- This profession does not require the individual to go to work during regular 9-5 office hours. The candidates can sit in the comforts of their homes with their gaming setup and work remotely.
- Play fresh games- Being a game tester provides the individual with an opportunity to play new and fresh games even before the game launches. This is a fantastic opportunity for gamers.
- Gaining momentum- The gaming industry of India is slowly gaining momentum offering a bright career opportunity to the young and passionate crowd of India. So with this momentum candidates have multiple opportunities open for them and choose their desired area.
Cons of Becoming a Game Tester
- Most testers are freelancers- A gaming company does not necessarily hire a game tester on a permanent basis. They simply hire freelancing game testers so the game testers have to worry about organizational issues.
- Hectic job- This job requires a lot of patience and attention since the tester has to test the game and suggest any changes required and then test it again until approved.
- Inability to choose the game- The tester cannot choose the game he wants to test. They have to test any game they are given so even if they do not like the game, they have to test it.
Top Recruiters for Game Testers
Game Testers are mostly recruited in the private sector. But occasionally there might be some opportunities opening in the government sector. There are many top gaming companies looking to recruit fresh as well as experienced candidates. Some of the top recruiters for Game Testers have been mentioned below.
Ingenuity Gaming | PurpleTalk | Juego Studio |
Jukebox Studio | Logic Simplified | BYJU’s |
Happy Adda Studios | Aristocrat Technologies | Pragmatic Play |
Octro | K12 Techno services | TIMUZ Solutions |
Salary of a Game Tester
According to AmbitionBox, The average salary of a Game Tester is around INR 3.26 LPA. However, there are a number of factors affecting the salary such as experience, skills, company profile, etc. An entry-level Game tester can expect a salary of around INR 21,498- INR 23,139 per month. The highest salary of a Game Tester is around INR 5.80 LPA.
The average salary of different types of Game Testers has been mentioned below.
Company | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
---|---|
Ubisoft Entertainment | 2.90 L |
GlobalStep | 1.98 L |
Ingenuity Gaming | 3.78 L |
Pole to Win | 2.44 L |
Sun Technologies | 2.67 L |
Reliance Games | 4.22 L |
Indium Software | 3.27 L |
How to Become a Game Tester: FAQs
Ques. Who are Game Testers?
Ans. A Game Tester is a professional who is responsible for testing the quality and potentiality of a newly designed video game.
Ques. What are the options after completing a course to become a Game Tester?
Ans. The career options after completing a course to become a Game Tester are:
- Game Designing
- Game Developing
- Game Tester
- QA Analyst
Ques. What is the salary of a Game Tester after completing Master’s?
Ans. After completion of master’s course, candidates will obviously get a higher pay than they got in undergraduate. The salary of a Game Tester after completing post-graduation is around INR 10 LPA.
Ques. What are the Skills required to be a Game Tester?
Ans. The main skills required to be a successful Game Tester are:
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving skills
- Good Communication skills
- Strong Computer skills
Ques. What are the certificate courses required to be a Game Tester?
Ans. The certificate courses required to be a Game Tester are:
- Certificate course in Chartered Game Tester
- Quantitative Methods in Finance
- Financial Analysis and Financial Modeling
- Strategic Planning Foundation
Ques. What is the highest salary of a Game Tester?
Ans. The highest salary of a Game Tester can go upto INR 15.8 LPA.
Ques. How many semesters are there in B.Tech in Computer Science?
Ans. B.Tech in Computer science is one of the courses that the candidate can pursue in order to be a game tester. This course is a total of 4 years and is divided into 8 semesters.
Ques. What entrance should a Game Tester take?
Ans. A Game tester needs to undergo entrance test in order to become one such as,
- AIEED
- CEEED
- NID
- JEE Mains
- JEE Advanced
Ques. Is Game Tester a good job?
Ans. Yes, a Game Tester is a great career because it is a constantly growing field in India and abroad. Many countries are now promoting gaming as an official sport and many aspirants are therefore being encouraged to participate and play video games.
Ques. Do Game Testers have a scope in the Government sector?
Ans. Not really, game testers do not have a scope in the government sector. They can choose to sit for UPSC and other government exams.