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Playtest Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Exploding Kittens

Principal Game Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

You combine experience, sharp taste, and playtest-driven insights to refine gameplay and elevate every product you touch. You'll also mentor and influence other designers and developers, helping ...

Spellbrush

Level Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$128K/yr

Playtest your missions and iterately improve them. Collaborate closely with other game designers, artists, and engineers on the team. Help engineers improve the level design tooling that you are ...

Exploding Kittens

Principal Game Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

You combine experience, sharp taste, and playtest-driven insights to refine gameplay and elevate every product you touch. You'll also mentor and influence other designers and developers, helping ...

Spellbrush

Level Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$128K/yr

Playtest your missions and iterately improve them. Collaborate closely with other game designers, artists, and engineers on the team. Help engineers improve the level design tooling that you are ...

Spellbrush

Level Designer

San Francisco, CA

$128K/yr

Playtest your missions and iterately improve them. Collaborate closely with other game designers, artists, and engineers on the team. Help engineers improve the level design tooling that you are ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior Sandbox Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Use data and playtest feedback to iterate and balance missions for pacing, difficulty, and engagement * Champion mission design best practices and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior Producer

Irvine, CA

$115K - $150K/yr

Playtest with the studio and UI team to iterate based on playtest feedback and player experience. Requirements * 5+ years experience in the games industry * At least 2 years working with larger teams ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior Producer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Playtest with the studio and UI team to iterate based on playtest feedback and player experience. Requirements * 5+ years experience in the games industry * At least 2 years working with larger teams ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior Sandbox Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Use data and playtest feedback to iterate and balance missions for pacing, difficulty, and engagement * Champion mission design best practices and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative ...

AGBO

Combat Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

... Playtest rigorously and advocate for the player, synthesizing feedback from internal sessions and external playtests into actionable design revisions with a clear rationale • Collaborate with ...

New

AgreeYa Solutions

VFX Artist III

Los Angeles, CA

Playtest and iterate often. Amass a deep understanding of the game's fundamentals in order to focus your work towards improving the player's experience. * Foster a healthy working relationship with ...

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How much do playtest jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for playtest in the United States is $21.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by playtesters, and how can they be addressed?

Playtesters often encounter challenges such as providing objective feedback, identifying subtle bugs, and balancing their personal enjoyment with the need for thorough testing. It can also be difficult to communicate issues clearly to developers, especially when describing complex gameplay mechanics or rare glitches. To address these challenges, playtesters should take detailed notes, use standardized reporting tools, and maintain open communication with the development team. Engaging in regular team check-ins and sharing insights with fellow testers can also help improve the overall quality and relevance of feedback.

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

To thrive as a Playtester, you generally need keen attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of gaming mechanics, often supported by familiarity with various game genres and platforms. Experience with bug tracking systems, version control software, and sometimes QA certifications are valuable technical assets. Excellent communication, patience, and the ability to provide clear, constructive feedback help Playtesters stand out. These skills are crucial for identifying issues, ensuring game quality, and effectively collaborating with development teams.

What is a playtest in the gaming industry?

A playtest is a process where a video game or tabletop game is played by testers to identify bugs, gather feedback, and improve gameplay before its official release. Playtesters are usually asked to play through parts or all of a game and provide detailed feedback on their experience, highlighting any issues or areas for improvement. This helps developers refine game mechanics, balance, and user experience to ensure a better final product. Playtesting is a crucial step in game development as it helps catch problems that developers might overlook. Sometimes, playtests are open to the public, while other times they are conducted privately with a select group.

What is the difference between Playtest vs Game Tester?

AspectPlaytestGame Tester
Primary RoleProvide feedback on game mechanics, usability, and overall experience during developmentIdentify bugs, glitches, and technical issues in the game
Work EnvironmentOften part of the development team, working closely with designers and developersTypically contracted or employed by testing companies or publishers
Required SkillsGood understanding of gameplay, communication skills, and attention to detailTechnical troubleshooting, bug reporting, and familiarity with testing tools

In summary, Playtest involves providing feedback on gameplay and user experience during development, while Game Tester focuses on identifying technical issues and bugs. Both roles are essential in game development but serve different purposes in ensuring a polished final product.

More about Playtest jobs
What cities are hiring for Playtest jobs? Cities with the most Playtest job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Playtest jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Playtest jobs are:
Playtest jobs near you
Principal Game Developer

Principal Game Developer

Exploding Kittens

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

The Principal Game Developer is a senior leader at Exploding Kittens who plays a key role in shaping the games we bring to life. In this role, you'll make final game development decisions, guiding concepts from idea to finished product while ensuring every game meets our high bar for clarity, innovation, delight, and replayability.
You have a deep love for game mechanics, especially mass-market party games, and a strong instinct for what makes a game truly fun. You combine experience, sharp taste, and playtest-driven insights to refine gameplay and elevate every product you touch. You'll also mentor and influence other designers and developers, helping raise the bar across the team.
If you're someone who thinks about games constantly (in a good way), obsesses over what makes people laugh, connect, and come back for more, and loves turning great ideas into unforgettable experiences, you'll fit right in.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Serve as gameplay authority - making final calls on mechanics, balance, and player experience.
  • Refine games to ensure strong audience fit across family, adult, and kids categories.
  • Lead playtesting process and analyze and synthesize playtest footage into clear development direction.
  • Creatively solve complex gameplay challenges, always keeping the player top of mind.
  • Evaluate inventor submissions and contribute to greenlight and portfolio decisions.
  • Write and/or refine instruction manuals to ensure clarity, accessibility, and brand/tone alignment.
  • Mentor designers and developers, implementing and raising product standards and best practices across the team.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with the rest of Creative Operations, Production & Sourcing, and key stakeholders to bring outstanding, innovative, and disruptive games to shelf.

WHAT WE NEED:
  • 10+ years of tabletop game design/development experience or equivalent expertise.
  • Proven track record of developing successful and commercially viable mass retail party games.
  • Deep understanding of mass retail party games, game mechanics, player psychology, rules balance, and replayability.
  • Extensive experience running, observing, and analyzing playtests.
  • Strong ability to diagnose gameplay issues and implement effective solutions.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills, especially for rules, instruction manuals, and "how to play" videos.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and elevate other designers.
  • Exceptional taste, strong judgment, and a sustained focus on the audience experience.

$120,000 - $140,000 a year
This salary represents a range for the position and will ultimately depend on the individual's qualifications and years of experience, location, and is subject to change.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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