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What are the pros and cons of working as a freelance game tester?

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If you love playing video games and have an eye for detail, you might have considered working as a freelance game tester. This is a type of quality assurance (QA) testing that involves finding and reporting bugs, glitches, and errors in games before they are released to the public. Freelance game testers can work from home, choose their own projects, and set their own rates. But is it all fun and games? In this article, we will explore some of the pros and cons of working as a freelance game tester.

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Chris Howell

Lead QA Manager, author of Modern Game Testing
Nimra Sardar

Associate Game Producer| ???????????? # 2 throughout ???? as a LinkedIn Gaming Content Creator| Game Tester (SQA)| Game…
Haluk Akdogan

Game Design, Studio Management, Marketing

1 Flexibility and Variety

One of the main advantages of working as a freelance game tester is that you have a lot of flexibility and variety in your work. You can decide when, where, and how much you want to work, depending on your availability, preferences, and goals. You can also choose the types of games you want to test, from indie titles to AAA blockbusters, from casual to hardcore genres, from mobile to console platforms. You can work on different projects at the same time, or focus on one that interests you the most. You can also learn new skills and gain experience in different aspects of game development, such as design, programming, art, audio, or marketing.

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Haluk Akdogan

Game Design, Studio Management, Marketing
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Working as a freelance game tester allows your to switch between genres quickly ; Usually this is very hard due to studios focusing only one genre when it comes to the game development. This allows you to improve your experience in different areas of game testing , also allows you to discover a lot.

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2 Income and Expenses

Another factor to consider when working as a freelance game tester is your income and expenses. Freelance game testers can set their own rates, negotiate their contracts, and charge for their services in different ways, such as by the hour, by the project, or by the bug. However, your income may vary depending on the demand, the competition, the quality, and the duration of your work. You may also have to deal with delayed payments, unpaid invoices, or disputes with clients. Moreover, you will have to cover your own expenses, such as taxes, insurance, equipment, software, internet, electricity, and other overhead costs. You will also have to invest in your own training, education, and certification, as well as in marketing and networking to find new clients and opportunities.

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3 Feedback and Communication

A third aspect of working as a freelance game tester is the feedback and communication you receive and provide. Freelance game testers need to have good communication skills, as they have to interact with clients, developers, publishers, and other testers. They have to write clear, concise, and accurate bug reports, follow instructions and guidelines, ask questions and clarify doubts, and provide constructive feedback and suggestions. They also have to be receptive to feedback and criticism, as they may have to revise their work, fix their mistakes, or improve their performance. However, feedback and communication can also be challenging, as you may have to deal with different expectations, cultures, languages, time zones, and communication tools. You may also have to cope with isolation, stress, or boredom, as you may not have much social interaction or support from your peers or colleagues.

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4 Passion and Fun

A fourth aspect of working as a freelance game tester is the passion and fun you have for your work. Freelance game testers can enjoy playing games for a living, exploring new worlds, characters, stories, and mechanics. They can also express their creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking, as they have to find and test different scenarios, outcomes, and possibilities. They can also challenge themselves, learn new things, and improve their skills, as they have to adapt to different genres, styles, and platforms. They can also contribute to the quality and success of the games they test, as they help to identify and solve problems, enhance features, and satisfy users.

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5 Challenges and Risks

A fifth aspect of working as a freelance game tester is the challenges and risks you face in your work. Freelance game testers have to deal with a lot of uncertainty, instability, and competition in the game industry. They have to constantly look for new projects and clients, as they may not have steady or long-term contracts. They also have to cope with changing requirements, deadlines, and expectations, as they may have to adjust to different phases, scopes, and goals of game development. They also have to handle a lot of pressure, responsibility, and confidentiality, as they may have to work under tight schedules, high standards, and strict NDAs. They also have to balance their work and personal life, as they may have to work long hours, irregular shifts, or weekends.

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Haluk Akdogan

Game Design, Studio Management, Marketing
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When you are freelancing about game testing , main concern is instability, it is hard to estimate when you wont be needed anymore.Also contracts and deals are relatively shorter. When it comes to disclosure , the pressure here is very high. Well covered Ndas & mNdas are very critical and should be signed as soon as possible.

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6 Skills and Requirements

A sixth aspect of working as a freelance game tester is the skills and requirements you need to have for your work. Freelance game testers need to have a combination of technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills. They need to have a good knowledge of games, platforms, genres, and trends. They need to have a keen eye for detail, a logical mind for problem-solving, and a methodical approach for testing. They need to have a good command of written and spoken English, as well as other languages if needed. They need to have a reliable computer, internet connection, and gaming devices. They also need to have a professional attitude, a strong work ethic, and a passion for games.

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Siddhesh Narvekar

Turn your brand into an immersive experience
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Working as a freelance game tester requires unique skills and qualifications to excel in the field. Firstly, a deep passion for gaming is essential, as it drives the tester's dedication to meticulously exploring every aspect of a game. Attention to detail is paramount, enabling testers to identify bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies within the game's mechanics, graphics, and narrative. Strong communication skills are vital for effectively conveying issues to developers, often using specialized bug-tracking software.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Chris Howell

Lead QA Manager, author of Modern Game Testing
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This whole article is incredibly misleading and damaging because it frames freelance game testing vs. permanent employment as a choice with pros and cons. However, the reality is that the choice lies with the employer and as a result many early-in-career testers are forced to accept temporary contracts with very little job security or benefits. To be crystal clear, there are no 'pros' to freelance or temporary game testing work. All of the positive points listed here apply even more so when you have permanent employment in a game team and is not unique to freelancing/contract work. Finally, cloudsource testing companies DO exist where you can opt-in. But being bring-your-own-device is both expensive and limiting for the tester.

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Nimra Sardar

Associate Game Producer| ???????????? # 2 throughout ???? as a LinkedIn Gaming Content Creator| Game Tester (SQA)| Game Designer| Women In Games Ambassador
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As a freelancer, there are both pros and cons. However, focusing on freelancing specifically, the pros are flexibility, higher earnings, and the ability to work on a variety of projects and games. The cons include inconsistent income and a lack of job security.

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What are the pros and cons of working as a freelance game tester?

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1 Flexibility and Variety

2 Income and Expenses

3 Feedback and Communication

4 Passion and Fun

5 Challenges and Risks

6 Skills and Requirements

7 Here’s what else to consider

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