Tag Archives: Console

Software Quality Assurance Jobs and QA Training

Posted by on February 17, 2014 No comments

Quality assurance is another word for testing, in the sense it is discussed here. The difference is that the term quality assurance jobs can include working with non-software physical products as well. But we will not talk about these kinds of jobs here that does not deal with software.

Certification

The job market right now is tough, and the competition is huge. Many look for some kind of edge that will increase their chances of getting work. In software testing, one way to make this happen, is by going through some kind of official training or certification. There are several different kinds of programs, where you can enroll to earn a certificate. Most of these offer a foundational course, for which you don’t need any previous qualifications. After completing this, there are several additional programs that builds upon previous knowledge for more advanced topics. If you are already working in software testing, it can help in advancing your career and move you closer to desired positions. But certification doesn’t only help in getting the job, it also improves the current skill set of participants.

How do these programs work?

Several different companies provide this kind of training. You can check some of them out on the links below, or look around and find your own. There are mainly two kinds of programs: those where you need to complete teacher-led classes, and those without a teacher where you can learn by yourself and then pass by successfully completing the exams. The cost of participation varies between different providers. The exams difficulty depends on what QA training course you’re enrolled in, and the questions differ every time. Oftentimes, you need to attend the final test in person, but some providers maintain locales all over the world for international customers. Depending on the program you have chosen, you might be able to finish the exam online too.

Where can I find these courses?

Some QA training programs can be completed online, one provider that offer this is International Institute for Software Testing who also, alternatively have on-site education if that is your preference. Another great option is American Software Testing Qualifications Board. Look around a bit online and see if you find something that suits you. If you’d like to get a deeper knowledge, check out Software Certifications. There are many different options when looking for quality assurance jobs and certification, so take your time deciding, if this is something you would like to do.

Game Tester Salary

Posted by on February 6, 2014 No comments

Many people choose their occupation based on possible income and personal gain/interest. By weighing these two factors against each other, and considering what is the most important for ourselves, it’s easier to get a feel for which assignments might be suitable. Maybe you have an interest in beta testing, but want to know more about what income to expect, before getting further involved. As mentioned in an article on beta testing jobs, there are several factors which can impact the game tester salary.

What is normal compensation for this job in America?

When starting out, it is common to receive about $18 000/year. That is, without higher education or previous experience. However, after a couple of years, the salary can increase to almost double that amount. So the previous amount of experience in this line of work can greatly impact earnings. Another aspect to consider, is an employees position within the testing department. A lead tester, that have kept his/her job for more than six years, often gets more than $70 000/year.

What other factors are impacting ?

Previous education makes a difference, but not always as much as one might think. Some positions require certain kinds of formal schooling. As previously mentioned, this influences an employees pay, by making various positions possible. On the other hand, if the goal is just working as a normal game tester, surveys have shown that people without higher education actually receive a higher compensation. Although this could be due to lack of real work-experience, if people with degrees seek to advance to other positions within the industry as soon as possible, using the beta tester jobs as a stepping stone. Game tester salary also differs, depending what country and region you are in.

The video game industry is dominated by males. But there are games released, geared toward women, which also need testing. Most games are created for both men and women, but since females are relatively few in this line of work, they often receive greater economical compensation as game testers, compared to males. Depending on the different companies, some give out provisional rewards to game testers when bugs are found, or other tasks accomplished. So having greater skill and work-efficiency might actually sometimes increase how much money you can make as a game tester. The last thing I am going to bring up, is company size. Game developer companies, that have more money to spend on the project at hand, are often able to afford paying out higher salaries to their game testers.

How To Get Paid To Play Video Games By Streaming

Posted by on February 6, 2014 No comments

What is game streaming?

Professional gaming is a fast-growing industry. The best players in certain games have become celebrities. Fans are able to watch them play online, through live streams. But streaming is not exclusive to pros, and regular players can have their own channels as well.

How can this produce money?

There are several ways of how to get paid to play video games on your stream. Just like on television, popular streams can show commercial ads. Another way, is to offer viewers the option of subscribing to your channel, which could grant them certain benefits in exchange for cash. Donations made by fans are also common, to support the streamer. Generally, a greater number of viewers creates more income. There are many individuals, making their entire salary through streaming games.

What games are most popular?

Competitive elements attracts viewers. Oftentimes, people are playing the game themselves, and want to improve their skill by watching someone with more experience. The games with most success in this area momentarily, are:

– League of Legends

– Call of Duty

– Hearthstone

– Dota 2

For a list of active channels, check out the twitch directory.

What makes a stream successful?

If you’re still wondering how to get paid to play video games, here are some tips to gain popularity and viewers. One way to obtain a closer connection with the people watching, is by using a camera to interact. Even though the stream might be focused on the game itself, many viewers enjoy being able to see the person who is playing. Think about what you would like to see from someone else, interact and talk with followers, answer their questions. There are several ways to create returning visitors, try to bond with them.

If you do have a lot of skill and experience in the game your playing, it is certainly helpful, but not the only factor. People like watching someone with a unique personality, so don’t try to hide personal traits. That being said, practicing the game in question to get better, is a very good idea. Some streamers do giveaways in order to obtain more viewers. If you want a better understanding about qualities that is beneficial as a streamer, check out some of the big channels over at Twitch. Read their chat and try figuring out what makes them popular with viewers. As a last point, choosing a game with many players opens up more opportunities. Having said that, playing something that you yourself enjoy, often makes it more fun for others to watch as well, and you’ll have a greater time doing it.