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Remote Game Tester Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... The same bots power mode backfill and automated testing at scale. Responsibilities: * Develop ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... The same bots power mode backfill and automated testing at scale. Responsibilities: * Develop ...

Software Engineer 2

San Jose, CA · Remote

$114K - $156K/yr

Software Engineer 2 Full-time Remote You'll be joining Adobe on a contract opportunity, employed ... Use testing tools to execute tests, log defects, and verify fixes * Collaborate closely with ...

Senior Director, Online Services

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$227K - $337K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... Own launch readiness and live health: capacity, scale and availability testing, observability, and ...

Senior Director, Online Services

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$227K - $337K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... Own launch readiness and live health: capacity, scale and availability testing, observability, and ...

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Remote Game Tester information

See California salary details

$13

$18

$21

How much do remote game tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote game tester in California is $18.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote game tester?

Remote Game Testers are professionals who play video games from a remote location, usually their own home, to identify bugs, glitches, and other issues before the game is released to the public. They provide feedback to developers about gameplay, graphics, and overall user experience. Remote Game Testers help ensure that games are of high quality and free from major errors, making them an essential part of the game development process. Their work involves following specific test plans, documenting issues, and sometimes suggesting improvements.

What does a remote game tester do?

As a remote game tester, you play video games in a systematic way to identify bugs, problems, errors, and any other type of problem that damages the player’s experience of the game. Your duties include testing software or hardware according to a guide as well as trying to “break” the technology to create a more secure game. When you complete your test, you work with your manager to complete a report of the issue to send to the developer or manufacturer, including a description of the event, where it occurred, and what factors you believe contributed to it. As a remote game tester, you complete your responsibilities outside of a typical office, which may mean working at home or another independent location.

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

To thrive as a Remote Game Tester, you need a keen eye for detail, a solid understanding of gaming platforms, and familiarity with bug tracking processes, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience with test management tools like Jira, familiarity with various gaming consoles, and sometimes certifications in software testing (e.g., ISTQB) are commonly required. Excellent written communication, analytical thinking, and self-motivation are important soft skills for effectively reporting bugs and working independently. These skills ensure accurate feedback, efficient collaboration with development teams, and the delivery of high-quality gaming experiences.

What are some common challenges remote game testers face, and how can they overcome them?

Remote game testers often encounter challenges such as clear communication with development teams, managing time across different time zones, and accessing up-to-date builds and documentation. Overcoming these issues typically involves proactive communication through tools like Slack or project management platforms, setting structured work schedules, and staying organized with thorough bug reports. Building strong relationships with other testers and developers can also help ensure your feedback is heard and acted upon effectively.

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

AspectRemote Game TesterRemote Quality Assurance Tester
CredentialsBasic gaming knowledge, attention to detailQuality assurance certifications, testing experience
Work EnvironmentHome-based, gaming industryHome-based, software or gaming industry
Employer & IndustryGame developers, publishersSoftware companies, game studios
Search & ComparisonOften searched together, similar rolesMore technical, broader testing scope

Remote Game Testers focus on playing and identifying bugs in video games, requiring gaming knowledge and attention to detail. Remote Quality Assurance Testers perform broader testing tasks, often with certifications and technical skills, covering various software products including games. While both roles work remotely in the gaming industry, Remote Game Testers typically concentrate on gameplay and bug reporting, whereas QA Testers handle comprehensive testing processes to ensure overall quality.

How to become a remote game tester from home?

To become a remote game tester, you should have a strong understanding of gaming, good communication skills, and attention to detail. Many companies hire testers through online job boards or their own careers pages, and some may require familiarity with testing tools or basic knowledge of bug reporting. Building a portfolio of gaming experience and staying updated on industry opportunities can improve your chances of securing remote testing roles.

How to become a remote game tester?

To become a remote game tester, you should have a strong understanding of gaming, good communication skills, and attention to detail. Many companies look for prior experience or knowledge of testing tools, and some roles may require familiarity with bug tracking software. Applying through gaming companies, testing platforms, or freelance sites can help you find remote testing opportunities.

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

The most popular types of Game Tester jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Remote Game Tester jobs in California?

For Remote Game Tester jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Game Tester jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Game Tester jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Game Tester jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Game Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Game Tester job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,541 per year, or $18 per hour.

QA Engineer II - VALORANT, Core Game Features

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

At Riot, QA Engineers are quality owners who champion holistic quality across products and services. We focus on product-level quality strategy, working closely with development teams from the earliest stages through release. We embed with teams to define quality goals, implement testing strategies, and drive ongoing improvement. QA Engineers are not just testers - we are quality advocates with a deep understanding of our products and a passion for improving player experiences.

As a QA Engineer II for the Core Game Features team on VALORANT, you will partner with engineers, designers and producers to drive quality for the systems that underpin VALORANT's Core Gameplay and Modes. You will own test planning and ensure comprehensive test coverage by coordinating remote testers while performing whitebox testing where appropriate. You will analyze test, telemetry, and defect data to communicate product quality, identify risks, and inform development decisions. You will report into a Quality Manager.

Responsibilities:
  • Triage, monitor, and prioritize the defect database
  • Author test plans, coordinate test execution, and oversee quality coverage across multiple features
  • Continuously improve testing processes, execution methods, and quality workflows
  • Partner with engineering, design, production, and other disciplines to provide continuous quality feedback and drive quality upstream
  • Proactively identify and highlight quality concerns & risks to product stakeholders, and collaborate to develop risk mitigation strategies
  • Map your team's work to quality targets based on product goals, while providing visibility into quality progress
  • Collect, track, analyze, and report quality metrics to stakeholders that provide measurable and actionable test data
  • Continuously improve testing processes, execution methods, and quality workflows at the team level
  • Ensure high quality releases and updates for various player-facing features
Required Qualifications: 
  • 3+ years of Quality Assurance experience
  • Knowledge of Product Development Pipelines and Workflows
  • Agile Product Development & Agile Testing experience
  • Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
  • Experience tasking and training remote testers
  • Experience with Jira and general defect management
  • Experience testing and releasing live games on Console and PC
Desired Qualifications:
  • Professional experience working on first-person shooters, or extensive engagement playing them
  • Experience working with Unreal Engine 5
  • Experience working with Blueprint or similar visual scripting tools
  • Understanding of automated test strategy
  • ISTQB Foundation Level
  • ISTQB Agile Tester or ICAgile Agile Testing (ICP-TST)
  • ISTQB Expert Level
  • ISTQB Advanced Test Manager
  • ICAgile Test Expert (ICE-AT)

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 


Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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