What if I tell you that you can earn money while playing and testing new and upcoming video games?
Yes, this is possible. The video game tester job is one of the fun ways to get paid by testing video games online.
So if you want to know how to test games for money, then you are at the right place.
This article will discuss 5 of the best websites where you can get paid to test video games online.
What Exactly Do You Do As a Game Tester
As a game tester, your main responsibility is to test games for bugs and glitches. This involves playing the entire game from start to finish, looking for any errors that may disrupt gameplay.
You may also be responsible for testing new features or updates, as well as recording your thoughts on how the game works overall.
Testers are also often asked to provide feedback on graphics, audio, and controls.
In short, your job is to make sure that the game is ready for release by finding and reporting any potential issues.
Why do Game Companies Spend Thousands Of Dollars In Game Testing?
When a video game is in development, the whole team spends long hours working on it. The game has to be perfect before it is released to the public.
Reputed game companies like Rockstar and EA do not want to spoil their reputation among their audience by launching a game with many bugs and glitches.
That’s why these game companies spend thousands of dollars on game testing.
Game testing is important to game companies because it allows them to find and fix bugs before the game is released to the public.
This takes a lot of hard work and team effort. Game testers rigorously test games for hours on end in order to find any problems that need to be fixed.
They play through the levels, try out different weapons and characters, and explore every nook and cranny of the game.
This process can take weeks or even months, but it’s worth it in the end because it ensures a high-quality product.
How Much Do You Get Paid To Test Games? [Salary]
What game testers get paid can really vary based on a bunch of factors – the specific job, experience level, location, whether it’s full-time or part-time, all that stuff.
Salary.com says tester salaries usually fall between $31,339 to $37,308 per year in the US as a fresher.
But a lot of companies see testing as hourly work, so you get paid by the hour and overtime when needed.
Hourly pay for testers in the US seems to be $8 to $14 per hour typically. Annually that works out to a range of $16k to $35k or so.
| Pay Type | Low | High |
| Salary | $31,339 Per Annum | $37,308 Per Annum |
| Hourly | $8.00 Per Hour | $16.00 Per Hour |
Glassdoor puts the average US salary higher though, at around $52,805 per year.
| Years of Experience | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (<1 year) | $48,891 |
| 1-3 years | $51,522 |
| 4-6 years | $57,322 |
| 7-9 years | $62,770 |
| 10-14 years | $71,096 |
| 15+ years | $86,292 |
Here is the game tester salary graph based on experience level.
On Indeed the average hourly rate is apparently $15 per hour.
These are some figures gathered from different sources that can give you an idea about game tester salaries.
You can also make money testing games from home. Just don’t expect to quit your day job and play games 40 hours a week though!
Most of these video game side hustles are good for earning a little extra beer money or gift cards here and there in your spare time.
They won’t make you rich or let you game for a living.
So in summary – game testing pay varies widely, but falls in the range of $15 to $20 per hour, or $30k to $80k annually, depending on the specific job and your experience level.
You can earn extra cash playtesting from home too, just don’t expect a huge income from it as a primary job.
5 Websites To Get Paid To Test Video Games
Video gamers around the world can rejoice knowing that there are several websites where they can get paid to test video games.
These websites allow gamers to play the latest and upcoming video games while providing feedback to developers. Gamers who are interested in this opportunity should check out the following websites:
1. Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto is one of the most popular video game franchises in the world, and Rockstar Games is responsible for its production.
Rockstar Games is looking for people to test their games before they’re released to the public. And they’re willing to pay you for it.
This is a real job from a giant game company so do not consider it as a side hustle.
You will be going to undergo several interviews and if selected you are going to work as a full-time game tester for Rockstar.
In order to qualify, you must be 18 years old or older and have some prior experience in this field. You also need to be available for an interview.
However, the company is more interested in your ability to find errors than your ability to play well.
The job itself is described as a “quality assurance (QA) tester”, which means that your main responsibility will be to play the game and look for any glitches or bugs.
Visit Rockstar Careers page for more info.
If you find any, you’ll then report them to the team so that they can be fixed before the game goes live.
This is one of the best way to get paid to test games.
2. UserTesting
UserTesting is a website that pays people to test websites, apps, and other digital products.
Testers are asked to complete tasks and share their thoughts and opinions on the product they are testing.
UserTesting pays $10 for every 20-minute video completed
However, according to Indeed.com, the hourly pay for a Tester at UserTesting is approximately $10.63, which is 57% below the national average.
The estimated total pay for a Tester at UserTesting is $42 per hour.
It is possible to become a game tester on UserTesting, but the amount of work received is quite limited and depends on many factors such as the region where the tester is situated and their quality rating
3. PlayTestCloud
PlaytestCloud is a website that allows mobile game developers to get feedback from real gamers during the development process.
Developers can upload early prototypes or new features to the site and recruit testers to play their games while their gameplay is video recorded.
The site captures everything from where testers touch the screen to what they say out loud as they play.
After testing, developers receive detailed survey reports and transcripts summarizing the gameplay experience.
PlaytestCloud offers testing services for games at every stage, from early concepts to post-launch updates.
- Gamers can sign up on the site to become testers. They take an initial unpaid qualification test to demonstrate their ability to provide high-quality feedback. If they pass, they can participate in paid playtests that typically last 15-30 minutes and pays around $9.
- Testers can expect to receive 2-4 paid playtest invites per month.
This is definitely not a way to earn a lot of money and quit your full-time job, but it would be enough to pay for your monthly groceries.
4. VMC – Global Beta Test Network
If you’re a gamer, there’s a good chance you’ve dreamed of getting paid to play video games. Well, that dream could become a reality by joining VMC – Global Beta Test Network.
By becoming a member of their community, you can help video game companies stress test their games before they are released to the public.
With VMC, you will get to play AAA multiplayer game titles and provide feedback based on your gameplay.
In return for your help, you will be rewarded with cash.
Although they haven’t mentioned anywhere about the Salary or pay, I guess that depends upon the testing and the video game.
Payments are made via PayPal 45 days after the project testing.
To qualify for VMC, you need to fulfill these eligibility requirements
- It would help if you were 18 years old
- You have to sign a non-disclosure agreement
- You have to focus and follow instruction
- You need to behave professionally when working with them.
So if you’re looking for a way to earn extra money, why not sign up today and start testing video games on VMC?
Apply Here: https://www.vmc.com/join-gbtn/
5. iGameLab
If you’re a video game enthusiast, you may want to check out iGameLab.
This market research company is always looking for people to test new and upcoming video games.
Not only does this give gamers a chance to play the latest and greatest games, but it also provides game companies with valuable feedback on their products.
The best part is that you can get paid to do this!
You will get paid to test:
- Online games
- Mobile games/apps
- Virtual worlds
- Websites
According to iGameLab, an active tester makes around $10.0 to $15.0 every month of participation.
So if you’re looking for a way to make extra money and have some fun simultaneously, testing video games on iGameLab may be just what you’re looking for.
6. GameTester.GG
Gametester.gg is a platform that connects game developers with real-world gamers to get feedback and insights to help make games better.
Gamers can sign up to test unreleased PC, Mac, VR, Android, and iOS games, provide feedback, and get rewarded with XP and virtual currency called GTGold.
The more a gamer engages on the platform and provides high-quality feedback, the more tests and rewards they will get invited to and can earn.
To get started, gamers just need to sign up to get access to their platform, download the app, and complete some initial internal tests and gaming questionnaires to start earning XP and GTGold.
As they build experience, they will get invited to test more games and can cash out GTGold for gift cards, bank transfers, and more.
Ultimately, gametester.gg aims to improve games by connecting developers and normal gamers in a collaborative testing process.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to get paid to test video games. You can work for a video game company, become a beta tester on various websites, or work as a freelance game tester.
However, it is important to remember that not all methods are created equal. Some may require more work, but the potential earnings are usually worth the effort.
So, if you want to try out new games and make money by doing so!! Then try out the websites mentioned above.
Hey there! I’m Rohit Lohia, a passionate SEO enthusiast and the proud founder of Branded Bucks. I’m all about helping small business owners achieve success online through my blog. Join me on this exciting journey as we explore ways to make money online and build a thriving digital presence.