Top 12 Video Game Tester Skills to Put on Your Resume
Landing a role as a video game tester requires not only a passion for gaming but also a unique set of skills that sets you apart from the competition. Highlighting the top skills on your resume can significantly increase your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers in the dynamic and competitive gaming industry.
Video Game Tester Skills
1. JIRA
JIRA is a project management and issue tracking software tool primarily used by software development teams, including those in video game development, to track bugs, tasks, and enhancements, facilitating effective collaboration and project progress monitoring.
Why It's Important
JIRA is crucial for Video Game Testers as it streamlines bug tracking and project management, enabling efficient collaboration, prioritization, and resolution of issues to ensure high-quality game development.
How to Improve JIRA Skills
Improving JIRA for a Video Game Tester involves customizing workflows, enhancing dashboard reports, and integrating with test management tools for efficient bug tracking and project management. Here’s a concise guide:
Customize Workflows: Tailor JIRA workflows to match your game testing cycle, including stages like 'Identified', 'Reproduced', 'In Review', and 'Resolved'. Atlassian Documentation offers a step-by-step guide on setting up custom workflows.
Use Dashboard Gadgets: Enhance your dashboard with gadgets that provide quick insights into test cases, bug reports, and sprint progress. This helps in tracking the testing phase efficiently. JIRA Gadgets Library lists all available gadgets.
Integrate Test Management Tools: Link JIRA with test management tools like Zephyr or TestRail. This provides seamless management of test cases, plans, and execution reports. Zephyr for JIRA and TestRail for JIRA detail how integration works.
Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use JIRA’s automation feature to handle repetitive tasks such as issue transitions or notifications. This saves time and reduces manual errors. Learn how to set up automation rules from JIRA Automation Documentation.
Enhance Issue Reporting: Customize issue types, fields, and screen schemes to capture relevant details specific to game testing, such as platform, game version, and severity. Configuring Issue Types and Fields provides guidance.
By implementing these strategies, a Video Game Tester can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of using JIRA in their testing processes.
How to Display JIRA Skills on Your Resume
2. Selenium
Selenium is a software testing framework used for automating web applications, including web-based games, enabling testers to simulate user interactions and verify game functionalities across different browsers and platforms.
Why It's Important
Selenium automates web browsers, enabling Video Game Testers to efficiently conduct tests on web-based game interfaces and related functionalities, ensuring a smooth and bug-free gaming experience for users.
How to Improve Selenium Skills
Improving your Selenium skills, especially for video game testing, involves a mix of enhancing your coding abilities, understanding automation strategies, and staying updated with the latest Selenium advancements. Here are a few concise tips:
Master the Basics: Solidify your understanding of Selenium's core features. Selenium's official documentation is a great place to start.
Learn a Programming Language Well: Selenium supports multiple languages (Java, C#, Python, etc.). Choose one and get proficient. Python is often recommended for beginners for its simplicity. W3Schools offers a comprehensive learning path.
Understand Web Technologies: Improve your knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as they're crucial for effective web element identification and interaction. Mozilla Developer Network is a valuable resource.
Practice Writing Efficient Code: Focus on writing clean, reusable, and maintainable code. The Google Java Style Guide (if you're using Java) provides good coding practices.
Automate Strategically: Learn to identify which tests to automate and which to leave for manual testing. This Automation Pyramid guide by Martin Fowler gives insight into effective test automation strategies.
Keep Learning: The testing landscape is always evolving. Follow Selenium's blog for the latest updates and best practices.
Join a Community: Engage with other Selenium users through forums and social media. Reddit's Selenium community is a good place to share knowledge and ask questions.
Implement Continuous Integration (CI): Familiarize yourself with CI tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, or CircleCI. Integrating Selenium tests into a CI/CD pipeline can significantly enhance testing efficiency and effectiveness.
Remember, consistent practice and staying updated with the latest in Selenium and web technologies are key to mastering Selenium for video game testing.
How to Display Selenium Skills on Your Resume
3. TestRail
TestRail is a web-based test case management tool designed to help video game testers organize, manage, and track their testing efforts efficiently, enabling better collaboration and insight into testing processes and progress.
Why It's Important
TestRail is crucial for a Video Game Tester as it streamlines test case management, allowing for efficient tracking of testing progress, organization of test scenarios, and easy identification of bugs - ultimately enhancing game quality and ensuring a smooth player experience.
How to Improve TestRail Skills
Improving TestRail for a video game tester involves optimizing test case management and integration with other tools, enhancing communication, and automating repetitive tasks. Here are concise strategies:
Customize Test Cases and Templates: Tailor test case templates specifically for different types of game testing (e.g., functionality, performance, usability). This ensures comprehensive coverage and clarity for testers. Customizing Test Cases in TestRail.
Integrate with Bug Tracking and Automation Tools: Link TestRail with bug tracking software like JIRA and automation tools (e.g., Selenium). This streamlines defect management and automates the execution of repetitive test cases. Integrating TestRail with JIRA.
Use Dashboards and Reports for Real-time Insights: Leverage TestRail’s dashboards and reporting features to monitor testing progress and identify areas needing attention. This helps in making informed decisions quickly. Using Dashboards and Reports.
Enhance Communication with Test Runs & Results Sharing: Share test runs and results with your team in real-time to foster collaboration and ensure everyone is aligned with the testing goals and outcomes. Sharing Test Runs & Results.
Implement API for Custom Integrations: Utilize TestRail's API to create custom integrations with other tools and services used by your team. This could include communication platforms or in-house tools. TestRail API Documentation.
Regularly Review Test Cases for Relevance: Periodically review and update test cases to ensure they remain relevant to the game's current state, considering updates, patches, and new features.
By implementing these strategies, video game testers can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their testing process using TestRail.
How to Display TestRail Skills on Your Resume
4. Unity
Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies, used for creating and developing video games and interactive content such as simulations and visualizations. It supports both 2D and 3D game development and is popular among indie developers and large studios alike.
Why It's Important
Unity is important for a Video Game Tester because it is a widely used game development platform, enabling testers to work on a diverse range of games across different genres and platforms, ensuring broad industry relevance and skill applicability.
How to Improve Unity Skills
Improving Unity for a video game tester involves enhancing efficiency, automating tasks, and ensuring high-quality testing. Focus on the following key areas:
Learn Unity Testing Tools: Familiarize yourself with Unity Test Tools for unit and integration testing to automate your testing processes.
Automate Where Possible: Utilize UnityTest Framework for automated testing, saving time and improving accuracy.
Performance Profiling: Use the Unity Profiler to identify and analyze performance issues within the game.
Embrace Continuous Integration (CI): Implement CI practices with tools like Jenkins and Unity Cloud Build to automate the build and testing process.
Engage with the Community: Participate in Unity Forums and Stack Overflow to stay updated on best practices and common issues.
Educational Resources: Continuously learn through platforms like Unity Learn to keep your skills sharp and up to date.
By focusing on these areas, a video game tester can significantly enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in testing Unity-based games.
How to Display Unity Skills on Your Resume
5. Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a powerful and widely used game development platform created by Epic Games, designed for creating and testing video games across various genres and platforms. It provides developers and testers with advanced tools for graphics, physics, and gameplay programming.
Why It's Important
Unreal Engine is important because it provides a versatile and powerful platform for game development, offering advanced graphics, physics, and tools that enable testers to thoroughly evaluate game performance, interactivity, and user experience across multiple platforms.
How to Improve Unreal Engine Skills
To improve Unreal Engine as a Video Game Tester, focus on:
Learn and Utilize Blueprints: Master the visual scripting system to quickly prototype and test game mechanics. Blueprint Visual Scripting.
Engage with the Community: Share findings and learn from others in forums and discussions. Unreal Engine Forums.
Follow Best Practices for Testing: Understand and apply Unreal Engine-specific testing methodologies. Testing and Optimizing.
Use the Unreal Engine Marketplace: Incorporate assets and tools that can help identify or fix issues faster. Unreal Engine Marketplace.
Stay Updated with Unreal Engine Releases: New features and fixes can impact testing strategies. Unreal Engine Release Notes.
Leverage Automation Tools: Utilize the Automation Framework for repetitive tasks and regression testing. Automation System Overview.
Participate in Beta Testing: Get early access to upcoming features and provide feedback. Unreal Engine Previews.
Prioritize continuous learning and stay engaged with the latest Unreal Engine developments and community insights to effectively contribute to the engine's improvement from a tester's perspective.
How to Display Unreal Engine Skills on Your Resume
6. Python
Python is a high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility, often used in game testing for automating tests, scripting, and tool development to ensure game quality and functionality.
Why It's Important
Python is important for a Video Game Tester because it enables efficient automation of repetitive tasks, such as test execution and result logging, enhancing testing accuracy and productivity.
How to Improve Python Skills
To improve your Python skills as a Video Game Tester, focus on learning Python concepts relevant to testing, automation, and game development. Here’s a concise guide:
Learn the Basics: Ensure you have a strong foundation in Python basics. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is an excellent start for practical applications.
Understand Game Development Basics: Even if not developing games directly, understanding the process helps. Pygame is a set of Python modules designed for writing video games. Experiment with it to grasp game mechanics and logic.
Master Testing Frameworks: Dive into Python testing frameworks like PyTest for writing and executing test cases, essential for a game tester.
Learn Automation: Automate repetitive tasks in game testing using Python scripts. Resources like Selenium with Python are invaluable for automation and creating bots for game testing.
Explore Game Engines That Use Python: Understanding game engines like Godot (which uses GDScript, similar to Python) can provide insights into game testing and development processes.
Participate in Communities: Engage with communities on platforms like Stack Overflow or Reddit’s r/learnpython for real-world advice and troubleshooting.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Finally, the more you code, the better you get. Work on personal projects or contribute to open-source games to hone your skills.
By focusing on these areas, you'll not only improve your Python skills but also become more adept at navigating the nuances of video game testing.
How to Display Python Skills on Your Resume
7. SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language used for managing and manipulating databases. For a Video Game Tester, it can be utilized to query game databases for testing data integrity, tracking bugs, or analyzing game performance metrics.
Why It's Important
SQL is important for a Video Game Tester because it allows for efficient querying and manipulation of databases to identify, analyze, and report bugs, manage test cases, and ensure data integrity across gaming environments.
How to Improve SQL Skills
Improving SQL skills, especially for a Video Game Tester, involves understanding database manipulation and query optimization to efficiently track bugs, player data, and game performance. Here’s a concise guide:
Learn SQL Basics: Start with SQL fundamentals like SELECT statements, WHERE clauses, and JOINs. W3Schools SQL Tutorial is a great place to begin.
Practice Regularly: Apply your knowledge on platforms like LeetCode and SQLZoo to solve real-world problems.
Understand Game Databases: Familiarize yourself with game-specific databases; knowing how data is structured can help optimize queries. Game Development Stack Exchange can offer insights.
Optimize SQL Queries: Learn to write efficient queries that reduce load times and improve game performance. Use The Index, Luke provides excellent tips on indexing and query optimization.
Explore Advanced SQL: Delve into stored procedures, triggers, and dynamic SQL for more complex operations. SQLServerCentral has advanced resources and forums.
Stay Updated: SQL evolves, and new features are constantly added. Follow SQL Authority for updates, tips, and best practices.
Remember, consistent practice and real-world application are key to mastering SQL in the context of video game testing.
How to Display SQL Skills on Your Resume
8. Agile Methodology
Agile methodology is a flexible, iterative approach to software development and testing, focusing on collaboration, customer feedback, and small, rapid releases. For a Video Game Tester, it means working closely with developers in short cycles to test new features or fixes and provide feedback quickly to adapt and improve the game continuously.
Why It's Important
Agile methodology is important for a video game tester because it allows for continuous feedback, adaptation, and improvement of the game through iterative development cycles. This ensures that issues are identified and resolved quickly, enhancing game quality and user experience.
How to Improve Agile Methodology Skills
Improving Agile methodology, especially for a Video Game Tester, involves focusing on continuous feedback, collaboration, and adaptability. Here are succinct ways to enhance the Agile process:
Integrate Continuous Testing: Embed testing throughout the development cycle to identify and fix issues early. Tools like Jira aid in tracking bugs and user stories, facilitating a seamless workflow between testers and developers.
Enhance Communication: Daily stand-ups or scrum meetings should actively include testers to ensure alignment and immediate clarification of doubts. Platforms like Slack can foster ongoing communication and collaboration.
Adopt Pair Testing: Encourage developers and testers to work in pairs on challenging problems. This approach enhances the understanding of the codebase and identifies potential issues early. More on pair testing can be found through Agile Alliance.
Leverage Automation: Automate repetitive and regression testing to save time and focus on exploratory testing. Tools like Selenium for web applications, or Appium for mobile applications, can be integrated.
Feedback Loops: Implement short, frequent feedback loops with all stakeholders, including players, if possible, to gather insights and adapt quickly. Tools like Trello can organize feedback effectively.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Encourage a culture of continuous learning and adaptation to new tools and methodologies. Resources like Pluralsight offer courses on Agile and testing methodologies.
Sprint Retrospectives: Conduct retrospectives to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and how processes can be improved for the next cycle. This practice can pinpoint specific areas for improvement in the Agile methodology.
Implementing these strategies can lead to a more efficient and effective Agile process, improving the overall quality and success of video game development projects.
How to Display Agile Methodology Skills on Your Resume
9. DevOps
DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) aimed at shortening the development life cycle and providing continuous delivery with high software quality. For a Video Game Tester, it means more rapid testing cycles, immediate feedback on bugs, and quicker implementation of fixes, enhancing the overall quality and speed of game development.
Why It's Important
DevOps is crucial for a Video Game Tester because it streamlines development and testing processes, enabling faster release cycles, higher quality games, and more efficient collaboration between development and testing teams, ultimately enhancing the gaming experience for users.
How to Improve DevOps Skills
Improving DevOps, especially for a Video Game Tester, involves streamlining collaboration, automation, continuous integration (CI), and continuous delivery (CD) processes to enhance efficiency and product quality. Here's a concise guide:
Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use automation tools to handle repetitive testing tasks. Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD can automate the integration and delivery process, allowing for more time to focus on exploratory testing and game playability.
Integrate Continuous Testing: Implement Selenium for automated testing or Appium for mobile games to ensure continuous testing is part of the CI/CD pipeline, detecting issues early.
Leverage Version Control: Utilize Git for version control to manage and track changes in game code, enabling smoother collaboration between developers and testers.
Implement Containerization: Use Docker to create consistent testing environments across different stages of development, minimizing "it works on my machine" issues.
Monitor and Feedback: Integrate monitoring tools like Prometheus for performance monitoring and use feedback tools to gather real-time user feedback, adjusting the development process accordingly.
Collaborate and Communicate: Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration between development and operations teams. Tools like Slack can facilitate this interaction, ensuring everyone is aligned and informed.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Stay updated with the latest in DevOps practices and tools via resources like DevOps Institute and The Agile Admin.
Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of DevOps practices in the context of video game testing.
How to Display DevOps Skills on Your Resume
10. Jenkins
Jenkins is an open-source automation server that enables developers and testers to build, test, and deploy software projects efficiently. For a Video Game Tester, Jenkins can automate repetitive tasks like running test suites, compiling code, and deploying builds, streamlining the testing process and improving productivity.
Why It's Important
Jenkins automates the continuous integration (CI) process, enabling video game testers to rapidly detect and fix bugs, streamline builds, and improve code quality, ensuring a smoother and more efficient development lifecycle for video games.
How to Improve Jenkins Skills
Improving Jenkins for a Video Game Tester involves optimizing automation, enhancing feedback mechanisms, and ensuring robust integration with development and testing tools. Here’s how to achieve this in a concise manner:
Automate Test Execution: Use the Jenkins Pipeline to automate your game's build and testing processes. This allows for continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) practices, ensuring that any change in the game's codebase is automatically built, tested, and prepared for release.
Parallel Test Execution: Leverage Jenkins’ Parallel Test Execution to reduce the time it takes to run extensive game tests. This is crucial for speeding up the feedback loop and ensuring that testers and developers can quickly identify and address issues.
Integrate with Testing Tools: Connect Jenkins with popular game testing tools and frameworks such as Selenium for web-based game testing, or Appium for mobile games. Use Jenkins plugins for seamless integration.
Enhance Feedback with Plugins: Utilize Jenkins plugins like JUnit for reporting test results and Slack Notification plugin for real-time feedback. This ensures that the team is promptly informed about test failures or successes.
Docker Integration for Consistent Testing Environments: Use Docker with Jenkins to create consistent and isolated testing environments. This is essential for ensuring that tests run in a controlled setting, mirroring production environments as closely as possible.
Security and Performance: Regularly update Jenkins and its plugins to the latest versions to address security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Also, consider using Jenkins Configuration as Code (JCasC) for maintaining a secure and efficient configuration as code, which is easier to manage and replicate.
By implementing these strategies, a Video Game Tester can significantly improve Jenkins' efficiency and effectiveness, leading to a more streamlined and reliable game development and testing process.
How to Display Jenkins Skills on Your Resume
11. C++
C++ is a high-performance programming language widely used in game development for creating complex, resource-intensive video games, providing direct control over hardware and graphical processes.
Why It's Important
C++ is important for a Video Game Tester because it is the primary language used in game development, enabling testers to understand the game's codebase, identify bugs more effectively, and communicate issues precisely to developers.
How to Improve C++ Skills
Improving your C++ skills, especially as a Video Game Tester, involves understanding both the language's fundamentals and its application in game development. Here are concise steps and resources:
Master the Basics: Ensure you're comfortable with C++ syntax, data types, pointers, and object-oriented programming concepts. LearnCpp is a great starting point.
Practice Coding: Regularly solving problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank enhances your problem-solving skills in C++.
Understand Game Development: Learn how C++ is used in game development. The Unreal Engine C++ Developer: Learn C++ and Make Video Games course on Udemy is tailored for game development with C++.
Study Existing Games: Analyze open-source game projects to understand how professional games are structured and coded. GitHub hosts numerous open-source C++ game projects.
Networking and Community: Join communities like r/gamedev on Reddit or Game Development Stack Exchange to ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with professionals.
Continuous Learning: Game development technologies are constantly evolving. Follow Gamasutra for industry news and insights.
By following these steps and utilizing these resources, you can significantly improve your C++ skills in the context of video game development.
How to Display C++ Skills on Your Resume
12. Git
Git is a version control system that allows multiple people to work on a project, such as a video game, simultaneously, enabling tracking of changes and collaboration without overwriting each other's work.
Why It's Important
Git is important for a Video Game Tester because it allows for efficient tracking and management of different game versions, facilitates collaboration with developers by easily sharing and integrating code changes, and helps in quickly identifying and reverting bugs to previous stable versions, ensuring a streamlined and effective testing process.
How to Improve Git Skills
Improving Git for a Video Game Tester involves focusing on version control best practices tailored to managing game assets, code, and test documentation efficiently. Here are succinct tips:
Branching Strategy: Adopt a Git Flow or GitHub Flow strategy to manage features, releases, and bug fixes systematically.
Commit Messages: Write clear commit messages that include the context of the change and its impact on the project, aiding in quick reviews and historical understanding.
Binary Files Handling: For game assets (like images and audio files), use Git LFS (Large File Storage) to improve speed and efficiency in handling large files.
Automated Testing Integration: Integrate continuous integration tools like Jenkins with your Git repository to automatically run tests on each commit, ensuring that new code does not break existing functionality.
Issue Tracking: Utilize GitHub Issues or similar tools within your Git platform to track bugs and feature requests, linking commits to issues for traceability.
Documentation: Keep your game’s documentation, including test cases and outcomes, within the repository in markdown files, ensuring all relevant information is version-controlled and accessible.
Review Process: Implement a pull request based review process to foster code quality and knowledge sharing among team members.
Security: Use Git-secrets or similar tools to prevent sensitive data from being accidentally pushed to the repository.
By focusing on these areas, a Video Game Tester can leverage Git more effectively, enhancing collaboration, code quality, and project management in game development.
How to Display Git Skills on Your Resume
