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Game Play Tester Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Adult Sports Officials/Umpires

Ames, IA · On-site

$16.97 - $18/hr

... game play; provides preventive officiating when necessary; takes appropriate actions to keep the ... Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the ...

... play games that millions of people play every day for their authenticity, engagement and fun ... Review and challenge revenue forecasts, A/B testing frameworks, and performance analyses across ...

Count / Drop Team

Tama, IA · On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

... machine testing. * Attends all required meetings and training sessions. * Performs other job ... Otherwise, this position may play any casino game while off duty. Employees and members of the ...

Count / Drop Team

Tama, IA · On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

... machine testing. * Attends all required meetings and training sessions. * Performs other job ... Otherwise, this position may play any casino game while off duty. Employees and members of the ...

Count / Drop Team

Tama, IA · On-site

$12 - $14.75/hr

... machine testing. * Attends all required meetings and training sessions. * Performs other job ... Otherwise, this position may play any casino game while off duty. Employees and members of the ...

Count / Drop Team

Tama, IA · On-site

$18.75/hr

... machine testing. * Attends all required meetings and training sessions. * Performs other job ... Otherwise, this position may play any casino game while off duty. Employees and members of the ...

You will play a key role in advancing next-generation navigation solutions, including the Maritime ... Verification & Testing: Help create system test plans and procedures. Assist in executing tests and ...

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Game Play Tester information

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$13

$17

$20

How much do game play tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for game play tester in Iowa is $17.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game play tester?

Game Play Testers are professionals who play video games in development to identify bugs, glitches, and other issues before the game is released to the public. They provide detailed feedback to developers about gameplay, user experience, balance, and technical problems. Game Play Testers help ensure that games are fun, functional, and free of major errors. Their role is crucial in improving the quality and playability of video games.

What does a game play tester do?

As a game play tester, you test the gameplay of a video game and provide feedback to the developers. In this role, you interact with various systems of a computer game still under development, perform a variety of actions that a regular player might do, noting edge cases and providing QA services as you look for bugs and help troubleshoot any problems you detect. Game play testers also provide personal judgments on elements of gameplay, including whether or not the game is fun, appropriately difficult, or otherwise likely to appeal to the intended audience. Most game play testing jobs are temporary, though larger game publishers have enough work to keep testers employed throughout the year.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game play tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Play Tester, you need keen attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of gaming mechanics, often supported by experience with various game genres and platforms. Familiarity with bug-tracking systems like Jira, testing tools, and sometimes QA certifications are commonly required. Excellent communication, patience, and teamwork help testers articulate issues clearly and collaborate with developers. These skills ensure thorough game testing, effective issue reporting, and ultimately contribute to a polished final product.

What are some common challenges faced by game play testers during the development cycle?

Game Play Testers often encounter challenges such as identifying and clearly documenting hard-to-reproduce bugs, working under tight development deadlines, and adapting to rapidly changing game builds. Testers must maintain keen attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks, and they frequently collaborate with developers and designers to communicate feedback effectively. Balancing constructive criticism with respect for the development team's vision is also essential to ensure a positive and productive testing environment.

What is the difference between Game Play Tester vs Quality Assurance Tester?

AspectGame Play TesterQuality Assurance Tester
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; passion for gamingHigh school diploma; may require certifications in testing or quality standards
Work EnvironmentGame studios, testing labs, remote testingSoftware companies, game studios, testing labs
Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming industry for testing gameplayBroader software industry, including gaming, apps, and software products
Job FocusTesting gameplay, finding bugs, providing feedback on game mechanicsEnsuring software quality, identifying bugs, verifying fixes

While both roles involve testing software, Game Play Testers focus specifically on gameplay experience and mechanics, whereas Quality Assurance Testers have a broader scope including overall software quality and functionality. Game Play Testers are specialized for gaming environments, often working closely with developers to improve user experience.

Do game play testers actually get paid?

Yes, game play testers are paid for their work, which involves testing video games to identify bugs and provide feedback. Compensation can vary depending on the employer, project, and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or freelance, but most testers receive a salary or hourly wage. Some entry-level positions may also require specific skills or certifications related to game testing tools and environments.

How much do game play testers make?

Game play testers typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, with entry-level positions often paying around minimum wage and experienced testers earning higher rates. Salaries can vary based on location, company, and experience, and some testers work part-time or on a contract basis. Many testers also receive benefits such as flexible schedules and opportunities to develop industry skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Play Tester jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Game Play Tester jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Play Tester jobs in Iowa?

For Game Play Tester jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Game Play Tester job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, and 83% Full Time. Highlights an 84% In-person, and 16% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $35,729 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Youth Sports Official (Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball)

City of Ames

Ames, IA

Temporary

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district. General Information The City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department has an exciting opportunity for Youth Sports Officials.

Candidates interested in this opportunity can expect to work a varying schedule. Officials will be paid $13.79 - $14.63 per game (50-minute games). Officials are directly accountable to the Recreation Manager and adjunctly accountable to the Recreation Superintendent and the Director of Parks & Recreation

Seasons: Youth Soccer (Spring/Fall) Youth Basketball (Winter) Youth Volleyball (Fall) This posting is open until filled. Examples of Essential Job Functions Ensures that all playing environments are safe for children. Enforce all procedures and rules in place for all youth at all facilities/locations.

Start games and make official calls during game play. Provide preventive officiating when necessary. Take appropriate opportunities to teach youth during game play when necessary.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respect and dignity for one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life.

For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment. Qualifications Experience: Previous experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the sport and rules. Skill in being organized, dependable, and reliable. Ability to communicate with parents and youth.

Ability to understand, appreciate and embody the City of Ames Core Values. Ability to maintain an exceptional level of safety. Ability to maintain a professional appearance (staff shirt w/ appropriate athletic shorts or pants or official's striped shirt) at all times while on site.

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor (calm and courteous) at all times while on site. Supplemental Information Physical & Environmental Characteristics: Frequently exposed to various weather conditions for outdoor activities, including cold, heat, rain and wind. Need to remain alert and attentive for extended periods of time.

May be exposed to outdoor allergens, insects, slippery surfaces, and potential hazards. Must be able to walk quickly or jog in case of emergency and lift objects up to 50 lbs. When working indoor and outdoor activities, sound may be moderately noisy.

Position requires physical participation and interaction related to specific activity. In cases of outdoor weather, may make decisions relating to safety for participants and other recreation staff. Selection Process: The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, interview, and completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check.

All candidates will be notified by email of their application status. E-Verify Process: The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment.

Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov. NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.