Computer games tester

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could:

• become a quality assurance manager
• move into games marketing
• become a games designer, animator or games developer

If you're fluent in another language, you could check different language versions of games as a localisation tester.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail for finding faults and 'bugs'
• analytical thinking skills for software testing
• complex problem-solving skills for fixing 'bugs'
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Computer Science - Computer games testers need to understand how software works in order to identify and describe bugs accurately. Knowledge of programming logic, data structures, and how code executes helps them pinpoint what's going wrong and communicate effectively with developers about fixes.
• English Language - Computer games testers write detailed bug reports that developers rely on to find and fix problems. They need to describe issues clearly and precisely, including steps to reproduce a bug, so strong written communication skills are essential to the role.

Also relevant

• Mathematics - Computer games testers use logical and analytical thinking to work through game scenarios systematically and identify patterns in bugs. Understanding basic statistics can also help when tracking bug frequency and prioritising which issues to report first.
• Design and Technology - Computer games testers evaluate how well a game functions as a designed product, checking that controls feel right and menus work as intended. Understanding the design process helps them assess whether a game meets its original design goals and spot usability problems.
• Media Studies - Computer games testers work within the games industry – one of the media sectors covered in Media Studies. Understanding how media products are constructed and how audiences engage with interactive formats helps testers assess whether a game delivers a coherent and engaging experience.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Computer games testers who speak other languages can work as localisation testers, checking that translated versions of games read naturally and are free of errors. This is a growing specialism as games are released simultaneously in many countries.
• Business - Computer games testers work within the wider games industry and may progress into quality assurance management or games marketing. Understanding how businesses operate, manage projects, and meet deadlines helps them work effectively within a commercial studio environment.