How to become a game functional tester

How to become a Game Functional Tester

Becoming a game functional tester starts with an in interest in gaming followed by development and maintenance of skills, both technical and soft. Here’s a guide to pursuing a career in the field:

Develop a Passion for Gaming
Since functional testing involves thoroughly testing games, having a deep passion for gaming is essential. Understanding how games work, their mechanics, and common issues that arise is a key part of the job.

High School Diploma or Equivalent
For some positions, a high school diploma or its equivalent may be sufficient, especially if you are able to demonstrate skills in testing and knowledge of game functionality specifications and standards.

Formal Education (Optional but Helpful)
While not strictly required, an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field can give you an advantage, especially for more technical testing roles. Relevant majors include computer science, game design, computer software engineering, information technology, interactive media, and multimedia arts.

These degrees provide foundational knowledge in coding, software development, game design, and problem solving.

Self-Taught Skills
Many game testers break into the industry by developing their skills independently. You can learn how games function, including user interface (UI), controls, and features; game testing methods; debugging tools; and how to use bug tracking software (e.g., JIRA, Bugzilla, TestRail, Mantis) through online tutorials (e.g., YouTube, Udemy), game development platforms (Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.), and free software testing resources (e.g., forums, blogs, and QA community sites).

Self-motivation to explore game mechanics, identify bugs, and understand the game development process is, of course a key driver for self-learners.

Experience-Based Learning
In the game testing world, hands-on experience is often the most important qualification. Participate in open or closed beta tests for games to gain real-world testing experience. Look for internships that allow you to learn by doing, under the guidance of seasoned testers. Create your own games or modify existing ones to better understand the technical aspects of game functionality. Build a portfolio showcasing any testing experience, bug reports, and feedback you have provided.

Soft Skills
In addition to gaming knowledge, many employers seek specific soft skills, particularly attention to detail, an analytical mindset, patience, and communication abilities. These are essential, as spotting bugs, glitches, and functional issues, and documenting and communicating them effectively to developers is a core part of the job.

Apply for Jobs
Once you have experience and a portfolio, start applying for positions. Look for roles such as junior game tester, QA tester, functional tester, or software tester (with a focus on games).

Stay Updated and Network
The game industry and software testing methods evolve rapidly, so it’s necessary to keep learning and stay up to date with changes in regulations, platform guidelines, and testing methodologies. Join online quality assurance forums, testing groups, and game development communities.

Certifications
There are certifications that can be valuable for aspiring game functional testers. While these credentials are voluntary, they can help demonstrate expertise in a variety of areas connected to the game testing sector:

General QA Testing Certifications

• Certified Agile Tester - Foundation (CATF) – This certification, offered by the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), is for testers working in agile environments (a common approach in game development). The agile methodology is a project management approach that involves breaking the project into phases and emphasizes continuous collaboration and improvement.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Game Testing (CT-GaMe) – This is the most relevant certification for game testers, offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), a globally recognized organization. It focuses on the specific knowledge and skills needed for game testing, covering concepts like risk assessment, test design, and testing approaches unique to games.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) – This is the foundational certification for all software testers, including those specializing in games. It covers the basic principles of software testing, testing methodologies, and the software development lifecycle. It's a prerequisite for the CT-GaMe certification.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Performance Testing (CT-PT) – This certification provides knowledge of the principal aspects of performance testing, including technical aspects, method-based aspects, and organizational aspects. Specifically pertaining to performance testing, it covers areas such as basic concepts, measurements, activities, tasks, and tools.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Mobile Application Testing (CT-MAT) – This certification provides an insight into methods, techniques, and tools a professional may use to test mobile applications. It covers the required mobile project activities, roles, methods, and methodologies.
• ASTQB Mobile Testing Certification – Administered by the American Software Testing Qualifications Board, this credential focuses on mobile application testing, relevant for mobile game compatibility.
• Certified Software Test Professional Associate Level (CSTP-A) / Certified Software Test Professional Practitioner Level (CSTP-P) / Certified Software Test Professional Master Level (CSTP-M) – Offered by the International Institute for Software Testing, this series of certifications provides a structured approach to software testing, including game testing principles.

Platform-Specific Certifications

Certification testing is a vital part of the game development process and is necessary to guarantee that games released on platforms like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo meet the demanding standards of quality and performance expected by gamers. This testing process involves adhering to strict standards and guidelines, such as Microsoft XRs, Sony TRCs, and Nintendo Lot Checks, to confirm that the game is suitable for release.

Microsoft Xbox Requirements (XRs), are guidelines that video game developers must follow when creating games for the Xbox platform. The XRs outline a comprehensive list of technical requirements that games must meet, including compatibility with different hardware and software configurations, performance criteria, and other technical standards.

Similarly, the Technical Requirements Checklist (TRCs) set by Sony are guidelines for video game developers creating games for the PlayStation platform. These requirements cover various technical aspects such as compatibility with different hardware and software configurations, performance criteria, and other technical standards that the games must meet.

Software and Tools Certifications

• JIRA Certification – JIRA is a widely used bug-tracking tool in game testing. Certifications in JIRA, offered by various educational institutions and organizations, can help demonstrate your proficiency in tracking and managing defects.
• TestRail Certification – TestRail is a test management tool used for creating and managing test cases. Certification in the tool is administered by the TestRail Academy.

Automation Testing Certifications

• Certified Professional Selenium Tester (CPST) – Selenium is an open-source tool for automating web browser/web application testing. The Selenium tester certification is based on a practical training course aimed at test professionals seeking an understanding of how to design, implement, and maintain automated solutions using Selenium WebDriver.
• Certified Appium Professional Certification Training – Appium is an open-source tool for automating applications in mobile phones. It automates native, hybrid, and web application testing on iOS and Android platforms. It works with various programming languages that have Selenium user libraries, including Java, C#, Python, PHP, JavaScript, and Ruby.

Both of these certifications can be useful for improving efficiency in large-scale game testing.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the gaming and testing community:

• International Game Developers Association (IGDA) – While IGDA is primarily for game developers, it is also a great resource for game testers. It offers networking opportunities, resources for career development, and advocacy for the gaming industry. IGDA has local chapters and special interest groups, including one for quality assurance professionals in the gaming industry.
• Association for Software Testing (AST) – AST is an organization for professional software testers, creating community, boosting careers, and promoting the science and craft of software quality assurance and testing.
• European Game Developers Federation (EGDF) – The EGDF) unites 24 national trade associations representing game developer studios based in 22 European countries. It offers advocacy, training, and networking opportunities, as well as information on game testing requirements within the European Union.
• Game Developers Conference (GDC) – The GDC is the largest and premier annual event for professionals in the game industry. While it’s a conference, the GDC also functions as a professional organization that addresses a range of topics, including QA testing, game design, and game production.
• Mobile Testing and QA Communities – There are specific communities for mobile game testers who focus on testing across iOS and Android platforms. These online communities, on platforms like LinkedIn, Slack, Discord, Gitter, Telegram, and Facebook, provide resources and discussions on testing practices and platform-specific regulations.