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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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Comments

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.

Posted by: meah at March 31, 2007 10:15 PM

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?

Posted by: Mike Rodgers at April 18, 2007 6:17 AM

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

Posted by: Dylan at February 5, 2008 12:34 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!!!!!!

Posted by: Scott at February 25, 2008 7:02 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

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









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