How to Become a Game Tester: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Top Colleges, Jobs, Scope, Salary 2023

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Ahana Bhaduri

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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 coursesGame 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 UniversityManipal Academy of Higher EducationChandigarh UniversityChitkara UniversityLovely 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. 

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.

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