How to become a game software regression tester

How to become a Game Software Regression Tester

Becoming a game software regression tester involves a combination of education, training, and development of the right skills. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Entry-level QA tester jobs often require only a high school diploma, as many employers focus more on technical skills, attention to detail, and experience rather than formal education.

Develop Essential Skills
These skills are foundational to making a career of software regression testing:

• Attention to Detail – spotting subtle bugs or inconsistencies in gameplay
• Critical Thinking – understanding how updates might affect different game systems
• Communication Skills – writing clear bug reports and collaborating with developers
• Technical Knowledge – basic understanding of game development, testing methodologies, and debugging tools
• Patience and Repetition Tolerance – replaying the same sections of a game multiple times to check for regressions

Gain Basic Knowledge of Game Testing
Learn the fundamentals of game quality assurance (QA) and different types of testing:

• Regression Testing – checking for reappearing bugs
• Functional Testing – gameplay mechanics, UI, and controls
• Performance Testing – FPS drops, crashes, memory leaks
• Compatibility Testing – different platforms, hardware, and devices
• Automation Testing – if interested in scripting and test automation

Play Games Critically
Instead of just enjoying games, analyze them:

• Identify bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies.
• Document issues as if you were writing a bug report.
• Test across different platforms (PC, console, mobile).

Get Hands-on Experience
As in any role, practical experience is crucial:

• Join Beta Testing Programs – Many companies offer public beta tests where you can practise spotting bugs. These include Steam Beta Programs, Ubisoft Playtest, EA Playtesting, Xbox Insider Hub, and PlaytestCloud (for mobile games).
• Work on Personal Projects – Try testing indie games or mods and document your findings in a portfolio.
• Learn Bug-Tracking Tools – Popular tools include JIRA, TestRail, Bugzilla, Mantis, and Trello.
• Learn Basic Automation Testing (optional but useful) – Becoming familiar with tools like Selenium, Appium, Unity Test Framework can improve your chances of landing higher-paying roles.

Postsecondary Diploma / Certificate or Degree (Optional, but Beneficial)
While generally not required, a postsecondary credential or an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field can be advantageous.

• Computer Science / Computer Software Engineering – helps with test automation and debugging
• Game Design – provides a better understanding of how games work
• Information Technology (IT) – useful for understanding software testing methodologies

Alternative Education Paths
For those unable or not wanting to embark on a formal education path, these are viable learning options:

• Online Courses – game testing courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning
• QA Bootcamps – short-term, intensive training programs on game testing and bug tracking, such as GameDev.tv and QA Online
• YouTube Channels – examples: Ask Gamedev, Game Dev Underground

Get an Entry-Level QA Job
Look for job titles like game tester, QA tester, quality assurance associate, or regression tester. Even if the job isn’t specifically for regression testing, starting as a general QA tester will help you specialize later.

Build Your Career and Specialize
Once you have experience, you can choose to specialize. For a list of the different types of game software regression testers, please see the What does an Game Software Regression Tester do? section in the career overview. Advanced role titles include Senior QA Tester, QA Lead, and Test Automation Engineer.

Keep Learning and Stay Updated
The gaming industry is constantly evolving, so staying current with trends in game software regression testing, new tools, and emerging technologies will help you stay competitive.

Certifications
There are several certifications that can benefit a game software regression tester, though not all are specific to regression testing. Instead, these certifications focus on broader quality assurance (QA) and software testing skills that are applicable to a variety of game testing roles.

• 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 Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA) – This certification provides the skills needed to perform structured and thorough software testing across the software development life cycle. It goes into detail about the test analyst’s role and responsibilities in every step of a standard test process and expands on important test techniques.
• ISTQB Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA) – This certification provides a thorough introduction to the technical testing skills which are fundamental in many organizations today. These skills include risk-based testing, white box testing, static and dynamic analysis, non-functional testing, and test automation.
• 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.
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) – While not focused specifically on game testing, CompTIA ITF+ provides a solid foundation in IT principles, including networking basics and hardware knowledge, which are essential for understanding game environments. This certification can help testers understand the technical side of games, such as server-client architecture, latency, and packet loss.
• CompTIA Network+ Certification – This certification is valuable for those who want to specialize in network regression testing for games. The program teaches networking fundamentals (IP addressing, DNS, routers, and switches), implementations, operations, security, and troubleshooting.
• Unity Certified User: Programmer / Unity Certified Associate: Game Developer – These certifications demonstrate familiarity with Unity, which is useful for software regression testing in Unity-based games. They help testers understand the technical aspects of game mechanics and network code that they will be testing.
• Unreal Engine Certified Developer – This credential is helpful if testing games built in Unreal Engine, a 3D computer graphics game engine developed by Epic Games.
• 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.

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. The 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.