How Being a Game Tester “Saved” My Character
It has shaped how I see my surroundings.
My first fulltime job was Game Tester. At that time, I was still in the beginning of research for my bachelor thesis. I was as fresh as a blank canvas, ready to face real world for the first time.
While it may present its fair share of obstacles and difficulties, the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that comes with it makes it all worth it.
As a gamer, I have always been drawn to the world of video games. But little did I know, this job would do much more than just allow me to play and test new games on a regular basis. Being a game tester has had a profound impact on my personality, and I can honestly say that it has been a largely positive experience.
It has been a lifeline for me in countless ways.
And subconsciously, it affects my daily life as well…
Like watching an ant crawling between cans of jams
One day, while testing a new game, I noticed something odd in the game’s behavior. It was a tiny glitch, something most people would probably overlook. But for me, it’s like a red flag waving in my face. I dug deeper and found that if I didn’t report it soon it would lead to bigger problems at certain levels of play.
This case made me realize just how important attention to detail really is. It’s not just about spotting bugs in a game — it’s about being able to see the world around you in a different way. And that’s something that has truly changed my life.
Now, I find myself paying closer attention to the world around me.
I notice things that others might miss, whether it’s a typo in a billboard advertisement or a flaw in a product’s design.
And this newfound attention to detail has helped me in all areas of my life, from my work as a game tester to my personal relationships.
Focus longer, even when everyone seems to be skipping around
As a game tester, I’ve learned that having a strong attention span is crucial to my job. In order to effectively identify and report on bugs and glitches, I need to be able to focus and pay close attention to the game I’m testing.
This requires me to eliminate distractions and stay on task, even distractions in the game I’m testing because a lot is going on at one time, which definitely helps increase my attention span. I’ve learned to tune out those distractions and stay focused on the task at hand. This has helped me be more productive and efficient, not just at work, it has carried over into my other daily activities.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get distracted by the constant stream of notifications and stimuli that bombards us from all sides.
It’s taught me how to “survive” in this fast-paced world, especially on the internet, and avoid getting overwhelmed by the constant stream of information.
I’ve had to learn how to navigate complex virtual environments and adapt to new technologies and platforms. This has given me a level of adaptability and flexibility that has served me well in the constantly evolving digital landscape, even when there are a million other things vying for my attention.
The art of cunning thinking
It’s not just about attention to detail — being a game tester has also given me a unique perspective on cheating.
Like it or not, I have to think through every possibility of how cheaters might try to exploit game mechanics and find ways to gain an unfair advantage.
I want to buy 1 item. But what if I input an insane amount like “9999999999999” items in the box, will the in-game shop break? Will I get that amount for the price of 1 item (or even for free)? Let’s hope the programmers do a terrible job on this!
This has taught me to think more carefully about possible threats to my life. What is fair and what is not, what is tolerable and what is no longer tolerable, and it has helped me to be more discerning in my everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Through the countless hours of testing and debugging, I developed a level of attention to detail that I had never before thought possible.
My problem-solving skills also improved exponentially, as I was constantly faced with unique and challenging issues that required creative solutions.
But perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned through my experience as a game tester was the importance of fairness.
As I played through the game, I was constantly on the lookout for any instances of cheating or other forms of unfairness. This gave me a new perspective on the world around me, and made me appreciate the value of honesty and integrity in all aspects of life.
Overall, being a game tester has been a truly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge, and has given me a unique perspective on the world.
