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Playtest Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Convert playtest and user feedback into prioritized, trackable work. * Drive postmortems and continuous process improvement to increase velocity and predictability. * Help build and reinforce strong ...

Technical Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$147K - $343K/yr

Use playtest data, telemetry, and player-facing metrics (performance, stability, latency) to inform technical priorities. Who We Look For * Shipped at least one AAA PC or console title as Technical ...

Senior Designer, Gameplay

Salt Lake City, UT

$102K - $117K/yr

Partner with the broader team to tune and refine systems based on leadership & peer feedback, playtest results, and data analysis. * Contribute to progression, reward, and other connected gameplay ...

New

Continuously refine designs based on testing, balancing, and live or playtest feedback. Requirements * At least 2 years of experience as a Character Designer or similar role on shipped game titles.

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

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

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

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Showing results 1-20

Playtest information

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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:
What states have the most Playtest jobs? States with the most job openings for Playtest jobs include:

Production Director

Tencent

Los Angeles, CA

$126K - $293K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Business UnitWhat the Role EntailsWe are building a new AAA first-person shooter IP for a global audience. As Production Director, you will own milestone execution across disciplines, ensuring delivery against scope, quality, and schedule commitments.
This is a hands-on execution leadership role focused on accountability, clarity, predictable delivery, and team health.
  • Own milestone execution from Vertical Slice through launch.

  • Translate creative vision into structured production plans with defined scope, dependencies, and delivery targets.

  • Drive sprint planning, milestone planning, backlog management, and release readiness.

  • Identify risks early and enforce trade-offs to protect schedule and quality.

  • Maintain accurate forecasting for schedule, capacity, and delivery confidence.

  • Lead dependency tracking across art, design, engineering, and external partners.

  • Manage and evaluate output from global co-development teams.

  • Ensure reporting to studio leadership is clear, data-informed, and decision-ready.

  • Convert playtest and user feedback into prioritized, trackable work.

  • Drive postmortems and continuous process improvement to increase velocity and predictability.

  • Help build and reinforce strong team culture through effective rituals, clear operating principles, and disciplined production cadences.

Who We Look For
  • Shipped at least one AAA PC or console title as a Producer or Senior Producer (FPS preferred).

  • 10+ years producing cross-discipline teams across art, design, and engineering.

  • Experience delivering large-scale projects (50+ developers) with milestone-based funding or gated approvals.

  • Experience managing multi-million-dollar development budgets and forecasting resource needs.

  • Proven track record of shipping on fixed external deadlines (platform, publishing, or investment-driven).

  • Experience managing global co-development teams with clear quality oversight.

  • Strong operational rigor: schedule modeling, burn tracking, risk logs, and dependency mapping.

  • Demonstrated ability to drive accountability with senior discipline leads.

  • Experience shaping team culture, production rituals, and high-performance working norms.

  • Player-focused mindset grounded in measurable quality outcomes.

Pluses
  • Experience taking a game from prototype through launch and into live operations.

  • Experience shipping on both PC and console platforms.

  • Experience managing multiplayer or live-service titles.

  • Ability to bridge North America and China teams across time zones, languages, and working styles.

  • Mandarin language proficiency.

  • Experience in early-stage or startup environments.

What We Offer
  • Opportunity to shape a new AAA game team from the ground up.

  • High ownership and cross-disciplinary influence.

  • Collaborative, high-talent global team.

  • Competitive compensation and benefits.

Location State(s)

US-California-Los AngelesThe expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $126,700.00 to $293,900.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee's tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.