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Game Play Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Game Designer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80 - $150K/hr

... math, game play, interface, animation, sound, art style. * Work within project schedules and ... testing, veteran status, or physical or mental disability--except where such disability prevents ...

Game Mathematician II

Reno, NV ยท On-site

$70K - $131K/yr

... Play-test games in development and refine math based on simulations, testing, and player feedback Analyze market performance data to identify trends and inform future game mechanics Ensure math ...

Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

What You Will Do As a Game Mathematician , you will play a key role in shaping the player ... Testing and validating game outcomes using Excel, simulations, and internal tools * Supporting ...

You will play a key role in setting the creative direction for the game, including game pillars ... testing. Who you are: * Game systems architect: You design through dynamic rules, not linear ...

... Play-test games in development and refine math based on simulations, testing, and player feedback Analyze market performance data to identify trends and inform future game mechanics Ensure math ...

Senior Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

So, if you love to play and make games, we're searching for a talented Game Mathematician based in ... Testing and validating game outcomes using Excel, simulations, calculation programs, and internal ...

Game Tech

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

Your Role at Belmont Park As a Game Technician I, you'll play an important role in keeping the fun ... Maintain accountability of tools, equipment, and testing devices. Guest & Team Support * Provide ...

Game Tech

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Your Role at Belmont Park As a Game Technician I, you'll play an important role in keeping the fun ... Maintain accountability of tools, equipment, and testing devices. Guest & Team Support * Provide ...

Game Mathematician II

Reno, NV ยท On-site

$70K - $131K/yr

... Play-test games in development and refine math based on simulations, testing, and player feedback Analyze market performance data to identify trends and inform future game mechanics Ensure math ...

Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

What You Will Do As a Game Mathematician , you will play a key role in shaping the player ... Testing and validating game outcomes using Excel, simulations, and internal tools * Supporting ...

... Play-test games in development and refine math based on simulations, testing, and player feedback Analyze market performance data to identify trends and inform future game mechanics Ensure math ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$65 - $95/hr

Research & Player Empathy Play and analyze casual games across genres and develop a mental model of ... Familiarity with A/B testing and LiveOps. Los Angeles, CA: Reliable commute or planning to relocate ...

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Game Play Tester information

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$14

$18

$22

How much do game play tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for game play tester in the United States is $18.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $19.95 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 cities are hiring for Game Play Tester jobs?

Cities with the most Game Play Tester job openings:

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

The most popular types of Game Play Tester jobs are:

What states have the most Game Play Tester jobs?

States with the most job openings for Game Play Tester jobs include:

Infographic showing various Game Play Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 64% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,039 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Senior Game Designer

Arrow International Inc

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$80 - $150K/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design compelling 'slot-style' games from concept to completion.

  • Work with the team to define all aspects of the game that impact the end-user, including math, game play, interface, animation, sound, and art style.

  • Work with the Producer to identify roadblocks, project risks, and proactively find solutions.


Job description

Description:

Join the Fun at Arrow International!

Arrow International is the world’s #1 maker of charitable gaming products, from pull tabs and bingo paper to cutting-edge electronic gaming systems. Our products power entertainment in social and gaming venues around the globe, and we’re growing fast!


We're building a winning culture that’s all about teamwork, passion, and innovation. At Arrow, you’re not just another employee, you’re part of a high-performing team that’s redefining fun and giving back to communities. We believe in rewarding your hard work with profit-sharing, 401(k) matching, great benefits, and paid time off, including a bonus week every July!


If you're looking for a career that’s exciting, meaningful, and full of opportunity, Arrow is the place to be. 


Position Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Game Designer based at our Chicago studio. You will create compelling prize-first ‘slot-like’ concepts working with all game-design disciplines to develop your concept to a finished product including math, programming, audio, production, and visual arts. Utilizing exceptional communication skills and your wealth of experience, you will craft exceptional gaming experiences to deliver premier gaming content for Arrow markets.


Salary range commensurate with experience. This role provides competitive benefits including an annual performance bonus, profit sharing program, and a 401K with company match. 


The Targeted Pay Range for this role is $80 - $150,000.


Primary Roles and Responsibilities

  • Design compelling ‘slot-style’ games from concept to completion.
  • Provide game-design expertise working with the team to clearly define all aspects of the game that impact the end-user, including math, game play, interface, animation, sound, art style.
  • Work within project schedules and milestones.
  • Set goals and shepherd team to success.
  • Promote teamwork in an environment where individuals are spread out across the United States.
  • Work with the Producer to identify roadblocks, project risks and proactively find solutions.
  • Conduct strategic market and data analysis for competitive game design.


Skills, Interests and Qualities

  • Able to work with team to align priorities and drive towards solutions, a true team player
  • Passion to create fun games with an engaging player experience.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Motivate and provide support to the game team, always contributing to a positive work environment.
  • Understanding of game math and probability principles.
  • Understanding of player psychology, slot game mechanics, gambling principles 
Requirements:

Experience and Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of slot game design experience including casino, online, and/or social
  • Strong familiarity with successful game-development processes and pipelines
  • Experience of development tools. (Jira and Confluence/Excel, etc.)
  • Experience with best-in-class game development in any capacity (art, design, math, development, production, etc.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  • The noise level in the work environment is low.
  • May be required to sit for long and/or extended periods of time.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Arrow International, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that embracing our differences makes us stronger, more innovative, and better positioned to serve our communities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arrow International is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, results of genetic testing,

veteran status, or physical or mental disability—except where such disability prevents performance of essential job functions and cannot be reasonably accommodated in accordance with applicable laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Arrow International is committed to complying with the spirit and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, undergo any pre-employment testing, or otherwise take part in the employee selection process, please contact us at hr@arrowinternational.com.


Arrow International does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Resumes submitted without an approved vendor agreement will become the property of Arrow International, and no fees will be paid if the candidate is hired.  


To ensure a safe and productive work environment, all candidates who receive a conditional job offer must successfully pass a confidential pre-employment drug screening, which generally consists of a hair drug test, and receive an acceptable result as a condition of employment.