So how do you actually get paid to play video games? A lot of people will tell you that you can just apply to a game company, and a few months or even weeks later have a safe, cushy position at your own home testing games for a living. That’s not really the case. Video game beta testers are usually required to go to a testing center where they test a specific game for a while, and then they get a lump sum payment. There’s no “hourly payment” or anything like that most of the time.

Game companies pay a pretty fair sum, of course, so if you broke it down, then you would probably see something the equivilant of $10-$20 per hour.

So the next question is: How do I start? Well a lot of people try their hand at online games, but this can be difficult. Getting paid to play Flash games is an option, for example, but you usually have to be way more proactive and actively hunt down new developers of these games and ask to test for some coin. Since these people aren’t development companies, you will work less, but get paid less also. And to be fair, you should have some other skills, like promoting (which isn’t really hard) and be willing to promote their game in various ways. Think outside the box, but you can get started just offering to plug the game in your signature on gaming forums.

Getting paid to play online games is not really a possibility a lot of the times, unless you’re already a video game tester. Prereleases of online games, or beta versions of them don’t usually offer paid closed beta testing to just any body. And open beta testing is open for a reason- you can play without experience, so no pay.

It seems like a lot to learn, but once you get the hang of it, getting paid to play games isn’t hard at all. Be sure to check out:

http://getpaidtoplaygamesnow.com for more information.