What is a video game critic?
A video game critic is a person who produces and publishes critical video game reviews. Depending on the games they review, game critics may post their reviews online, publish them in print magazines or upload them in the form of videos. Some also share their critical reviews in audio forms, such as podcasts. Build an online portfolio of writing samples. So a great way to get started is to write your own game reviews and publish online. You could publish on your own blog, or even pitch to smaller blogs or review sites that are willing to take submissions from inexperienced reviewers.
Do game critics need a degree?
While you don’t need a college degree to be a game tester, having one can help you find a job. Game testing is a competitive market, so any qualifications you have that might make you an attractive candidate are useful. Game design degrees can be valuable for career advancement. While a degree is not always required to break into the industry, it remains a strong signal of formal education, providing essential skills and knowledge.Most companies look for candidates who are detail-oriented and passionate about gaming, rather than requiring previous professional experience. Training is often provided on the job, and many testers start with temporary or contract positions before advancing to more specialized roles.It can be a great career for people with a technical mindset and an interest in gaming. Before venturing into the game development industry, it might help to learn its educational requirements, duties, skills , pros, challenges and employment prospects.If you, too, take an interest in gaming and have knowledge about its programming and design, ditch the mundane 9 to 5 job and start your career in the gaming industry. However, make sure that you have the required knowledge and set of skills that are required for game development and testing.If you enjoy working with electronics, becoming a video game tester may be an attractive career choice. Not only is there a demand for quality game testers due to the popularity of video game consoles, but it’s also a good way to enter the video game industry.
Do video game critics get paid?
We found a few related jobs that pay more than jobs in the Video Game Critic category. For example Game Design jobs pay as much as $110,518 (286. Video Game Critic salary of $38,600. What qualifications do you need to become a video game tester? Game testers don’t need any particular qualifications, apart from a love of gaming and an excellent knowledge of different types of games, platforms, styles and genres.How much does a Game Reviewer make? As of Aug 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Game Reviewer in the United States is $20.The primary qualifications for a career as a game reviewer depend on the level at which you work. Hobbyists and amateurs can become game reviewers simply by submitting reviews to sales platforms or game industry websites, while professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.The qualifications to become a work from home video game tester include at least an associate degree in information technology, animation, graphic design, or another technical subject. You should also have a strong interest in working in the video game industry and previous gaming experience.
Do critics get paid?
As of Aug 25, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Movie Critic in the United States is $25. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $47. Movie Critic wages currently range between $14. United States. As of Aug 24, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Game Reviewer in the United States is $20.
Is game reviewer a job?
Professional game reviewers work for major websites and magazines and review games as a full-time job. A video game tester’s job is to ensure that a game is functioning properly and that there are no glitches or errors. They play a game from start to finish, looking for any problems that may occur. They also test different aspects of the game, such as the graphics, sound, and gameplay.You can become a game tester with a high school diploma, experience playing video games, and an understanding of how games work. Some employers prefer you have a degree in a field like computer science or game design, and more than half of game testers have a bachelor’s degree, according to Zippia [4].Game testers often work for video game companies and collaborate with game developers and programmers to improve games and ensure they’re ready for users.Becoming a game tester doesn’t always require a formal degree. However, having one can significantly improve a tester’s ability to perform their job.