Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

Whether it’s board games, video games, or something else — any system where humans can interact can produce unintended consequences.

Quality Assurance (QA) testers spend their time playing games to make sure the experience is consistent and works as intended. They often test across multiple devices, screen sises, and settings, and test again and again during development to ensure the experience has not degraded.

When an issue is found, an industry-standard tool is used to report the issue, along with any data that may be useful towards finding a solution.

Very few games are entirely bug free; QA testers must prioritise those issues which could be most frustrating for most players. Their work is vital, and makes a real difference in the quality of the end product.

Work tasks...

• Consult with programmers, designers, and many other disciplines in game development to understand recent changes to the game, and ensure these changes have not produced unintended consequences.
• Play through individual parts of a game many times to ensure that players will have a consistent, high-quality experience.
• Discover and rigorously test unusual situations which could potentially cause players to get stuck or negatively impact their experience.
• Check the text of packaging and instruction manuals, marketing materials, and the quality of localised (translated) versions of the game.
• Report issues accurately, describing exactly how they may be reproduced to help the relevant team quickly find a solution.
• Prioritise issues based on internal criteria and project deadlines, to ensure the majority of players do not encounter serious issues.
• Work to strict deadlines.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
• Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
• Identify, analyse, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
• Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
• Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.
• Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
• Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.
• Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.
• Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
• Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.

Further Information

• Games Tester - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Games Tester - from: Discover Science & Engineering
• Games Tester - from: Discover Science & Engineering
• Games Tester - from: Discover Science & Engineering

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

QA testing is a popular way of starting out in the games industry, particularly if you are not already qualified as an artist or programmer. It can be a great way to find out about the business as a whole.

You do not need formal qualifications to become a tester, as your playing skills and knowledge of the games market will be more important to employers. However, some knowledge of programming may give you an advantage when looking for work, as will experience of using databases, which are used for bug reports.

Employers will want to see proof of your knowledge and enthusiasm for the games industry. A history of reporting bugs and issues for existing games will be seen positively. Attending games events, trade shows and expos, and keeping yourself up to date with industry news through gaming magazines and websites can help you in this.

A high-performing QA tester might be scouted to transition into other roles in game development, or into a QA management position.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship ICT skills development, Automated Software Testing, Software development NFQ level 5 search FET courses

FET centre Post leaving cert Software development for apps/ games / Network Architecture, Computer Programming, Programming and Software Development, Coding and Software Development, Computer Games Design, Software Development and Game Design, Computer Programming, Gaming, Animation & Motion Graphics at NFQ level 5-6 search PLC courses

Apprenticeship ICT Software Developer, Cybersecurity, ICT Networking, Software Solutions Architect at NFQ Level 6-9 search apprenticeships

Higher education entry routes CAO Computing - Software Development, Computing with Software Development, Software Systems Development, Applied Computing (Common Entry), Computer Science, 
Computing, Computing Science courses, Computing - Games Design and Development, Game Design, Game Art and Design, Computing - Software Development at NFQ level 6-8 search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Advanced Software Engineering, Applied Software Development, Computer Science - Advanced Software Development, Computing - Enterprise Software Systems, Software Design & Development, Advanced Software Engineering, Software Design & Development NFQ level 9

Springboard courses ICT Conversion Software development courses are also available via courses at NFQ level 6-9 Search Springboardcourses

ICT Skillnets for job seekers & upskilling for people in employment

Further info...

• IntoGames — Quality Assurance Tester
• Hitmarker — Game Tester

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €80k

The upper end of this scale represents senior and management roles within QA. Salaries vary based on employer, project, experience, role, duties, sessional rates, and location.

Data Source(s):
Blake & Filip/ Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln/ Azon/ CPL / Sigmar / Brightwater/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment has grown strongly for this occupation each year over the five-year period, particularly between 2020 and 2021, where it grew by over 9,000 persons. Those employed are primarily male (83%), working full-time (98%), and 85% were aged 25-54 years (exceeding the national average of 69%). Four-fifths were employed in the ICT sector, with the remainder spread across many sectors. Recent job hires in 2022 exceeded any employment growth indicating that job churn is a factor for this occupation. Almost two-fifths (39%) were non-Irish citizens (compared to a national average of 19%). At over 4,300, the number of employment permits issued in 2022 was almost equivalent to the increase in employment over the same time period. Although the number of new employment permits issued in the first five months of 2023 have slowed, they remained above 2021 levels. Most employment permits were issued for the ICT sector, for software engineering/development roles, although permits were also issued across many sectors of the economy.

There was a high volume of difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey (various developer roles) and vacancies for software engineers were the most frequently cited occupation in the Skills for Growth data as being difficult to fill, with demand occurring across a range of sectors including manufacturing (e.g. med tech), fintech, ICT, and professional services; the most commonly sought technical skills included scrum/agile and SQL, while transversal skills such as data analysis, data management, communication and problem solving were also in demand. After other engineering professionals, this occupation had the highest number of job postings advertised online in 2022, although the number declined by 6% compared to 2021. 

While shortages are likely to have eased somewhat compared to earlier years, demand for software developers remains high and shortages are likely to persist economy-wide, including in the industry, finance, education, health, and wholesale/retail sectors. 

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• FIT Fastrack into IT

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• Smart Futures

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