Paid to test computer games?

Dave, I have found a web site that offers to get me a job of testing computer games for money if I register at their web site for $35. it requires a credit card number. How can I tell if something like this is a fraud?

Dave's Answer:

I have to say that I'm highly, no, highly skeptical of any offer like this. My experience as a professional reviewer is that if a legitimate organization wants to offer me the chance to get involved, they'd be more interested in reading a few sample reviews I've written than in any sort of money changing hands.

However, it might be legitimate. Here's how I'd tell: go and look for a list of game companies that this firm theoretically works with then call one of the firms up and ask if they do in fact work with the company. If they do, you'll know all is good, but if they don't, well, you'll know that it's a fraud and they'll promptly be in hot water with the game company that they're falsely representing a relationship with...

So that's the reviewing side of things -- as a lot of these deals that i've seen are seemingly for reviewers -- but let's talk about the testing side too, since that's your direct question. :-)

In terms of game testing, most testing for a product is either done in-house or directly under contract with the game company, so, again, if you have reason to believe that this firm might not be legitimate, ask for the name of a company they work with, then call up that game developer and ask what's what.

One possibility: the game companies might have a free beta testing program (Microsoft, for example, does that sometimes) and this intermediate company is making a quick $35/person to forward along your application that you could have submitted directly to the developer for free.

Worse, it could be a credit card harvesting scam too, where they have nothing to do with any game companies, and you apply, get hit for a $35 charge, get your credit card into a fraud ring, and never actually see any benefit or games at all. Yech!

In all cases, be wary and do a little bit of investigation first!

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Categorized: Video Game Tips and Help (Article 4128, Written by Dave Taylor)
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Reader Comments To Date: 14

meah said, on March 31, 2007 10:15 PM:

I am only ten years old I am looking for a job
to get some changes in my pocket I know it sounds weird for
a ten years old to say this but I need the money
and I don't know what a URL stands for. I hope you reply.

Mike Rodgers said, on April 18, 2007 6:17 AM:

Dave, i ahve a question. I am writing an English paper on Video game developing and its required that i interview one either by email or in person. My question is that do you know any email addresses to a video game developer that WONT get me an automated response?

Dylan said, on February 5, 2008 12:34 PM:

Hi I am 12 and id like to test video games. How would i go about that?

Scott said, on February 25, 2008 7:02 PM:

hey im 13 and i need a job in game testing so i can buy my own games and systems.ive tried a bunch of other websites but they all want money to get a job.please help me out!!!!!!

brian said, on July 28, 2008 7:24 AM:

im 12 and i need $200 and i wanna test Wii games how can i do that

d said, on October 6, 2008 9:02 AM:

That site thats offering 35 dollars connects you to information and resources of the big companies that apparently offer beta testing opportunities. Hes sayin he DOES NOT guarantee a job for you. He points you in the right direction to connecting with the game makers to test games. You can probably do this on your own with a lotta your own research and searching for individual companies insteada using his list of compiled resources. goodluck.

anthony palmiere said, on March 3, 2009 12:29 PM:

ok first off if u go to this one website and look up video game testers it will tell u u have to be a ertain age in this article it said u have to be 18 and up to become a video game tester so u young guys cant be game testers for a while u might just want to practice just keep researching

Annie R said, on March 12, 2009 5:49 PM:

Hi, well, now I feel like the odd gal out, because I actually AM 49 yrs old. The reason I am looking to test/play either video games or PC games for income is that I have had some medical problems which have caused me to stop working outside the home now. I have been a paralegal for most of my adult career, as well as a real estate agent, timeshare sales rep, limo driver and actress. Seriously, please tell me as I do not have time to waste, if there is or is not a way I can earn an income doing this.
Thank you
Annie R.
vegasannie@hotmail.com

Tyler Rivard said, on August 20, 2009 1:41 PM:

Hey I am a 14 year old and I enjoy video games alot and I am looking for a job for testing video games. I am just looking for a job to start out my young adult life and I would love the money to give some of it to my parents because they are having a hard time with keeping up with bills and stuff like that.

Please Email Me Back Thankyou.

Tyler R.
www.slayer2488@yahoo.com

zak evans said, on August 25, 2010 9:18 AM:

im 17 years old and i recenly have been looking for a job. I play games 12 hours a day minnimum and i think that a job like this would be really useful to both me and the company i hope to work for thanks.

dylan bates said, on September 3, 2010 1:05 PM:

hello I am Dylan and I am 17 playing video game is my best thing to do it hep me come up with ideas for thing the games i like mostly like to play are like Fable,Halo,and madden01 to madden11 and i need a job because im going to be kick out of my moms house when im eighteen so email me if you have a job please

Edd said, on September 22, 2010 6:41 AM:

hi i want to be a games tester and i know that it isnt an easy job just wondering how i would go about applying for one?

White T. said, on November 4, 2010 1:26 PM:

I think your skepticism is well-founded. Real video game testing companies DON'T charge their employees up-front to test their games. That's not how a real hiring process works. Sounds like these would-be game testers might be getting duped...

loyd said, on June 30, 2011 9:20 PM:

how will get the cash/check

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Paid to test computer games?

Reader Comments To Date: 14

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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