What is a Beta Tester?
A beta tester is someone who tests a product before it is released. Product testers help companies identify weak points in their products which could cause consumer frustration, and they also identify specific issues which need to be corrected before a product can be released. Typically, beta testers test several incarnations of a product, until it is deemed ready for release. Most commonly, beta testers work with electronics and software. Working as a beta tester may sound like fun, since beta testers get access to cutting edge products before they are released to the public, but it is also hard work. Beta testers must work with something for hours, repeatedly performing the same actions and doing things like actively trying to break it. The work can actually be quite monotonous and rather boring, because beta testers are expected to exceed normal usage when they work with products, to ensure that they will hold up under abuse. Some beta testers work for companies which specialize in
A beta tester is the person that tests the unfinished, buggy and unplayable parts of a game. He sends in comments about levels and might also fix levels which contain only small bugs (say exit is a few pixel to high to reach it or something like that). So to be a beta tester you only need to be able to play levels and have a feeling for things that are broken or simply unfinished. You also should have a good knowledge of other games and what is fun. A basic understanding how the engine works might also be a plus, using the level editor for a few hours should be enough for that. In addition to the playing and rating a beta testers also needs to try crazy things, build bridges that reach to the top of the screen and things like that, which might not have been taking into account has the game was written and which might cause the engine to go crazy or crash. Being familiar with using a Unix shell is a big plus and might be necessary to actually get access to the levels.
