Video Game Testing: Is It Legitimate?

Many people would love to have a career as a video game tester. Have you seen the movie 'Grandma's Boy'? It looks like an awesome job! But are jobs like that really out there or is it just a scam? Many people hear about scams like these and dismiss this job as being non-existent.

And whilst 80% of jobs sent by email or posted on the Internet are scams, the good news is that 20% of them are real. And yes, you do get paid. The even better news is that you don't need any previous experience, only a love of playing video games. All console platforms such as Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo and even PC require testing.

So Who Pays for the Video Game Testing?

All companies require their games to be tested, whether they are new or still in beta testing mode. The reason? If they don't get tested, then errors, glitches or bugs may occur in their games. Did you know that before Halo 3 was released; over one thousand testers were required to test the game? A small glitch could cost millions of dollars to gaming companies. As a result, they need gamers like you and me to test them and of course, they pay for our time!

How Can I avoid Scams and Get a Real Opportunity?

The best way is to ask around. Join forums and gaming communities and interact with other gamers. Check video game developer websites and look for vacancies. One must also remember that you should not pay for the opportunity to test a game. After all, you are providing them with the service!

The thing that you need to remember is that you will struggle to make it to the big gaming companies initially. If you receive an email or offer, chances are it will be a scam. Why? Big companies will not risk their million dollar launches on a new video game tester. The most common job will be for some low key company with a small budget and small pay. You will need to work your way up the ladder, but the long climb can definitely be worth the wait!

Will There Ever Be A Fable 2 PC Version?

Since the release of the smash hit sequel, Fable 2, fans have been wondering if there will ever be a Fable 2 PC version. With the release of Fable 3 on consoles in 2010 and the impending release of the third game on PC in 2011, many fans are still left wondering. If the developer hasn't already done it now, is there a hope of ever seeing a PC port of Fable 2?

When the original Fable game was released onto the console platform, it was extremely successful. So successful in fact, that developers decided they need to port the game over to the PC platform to take full advantage of that success. The sequel to the game, Fable 2, was eventually released on the console platform as well. As was the successful Fable 3, which also had a PC version.

To this day, Fable 2 still does not have a PC version of the game. In 2009 developers of the game, Lionhead, stated that they would essentially be forced to do a PC port of the sequel as well due to its massive success. However, a member of the Lionhead development team indicated that the team was not working on a PC port of the game, despite what the company officially stated.

If Fable 2 never has a PC version, it wouldn't be the first time that a successful game series abandoned a platform mid-series. When the original Gears of War game was released it came out on multiple console platforms. It was very successful and the developers decided to make a version of the game for the PC. However, when they began working on Gears of War 2 and eventually released, Epic stated that they had no plans of ever porting the game over from the console platform to the PC.

There have been several attempts by fans to create an emulated or full PC version of the game for the computer. Most of these attempts have met with limited or no success. There are many sites online that claim to have created an emulated version, but they are extremely hard to come by if not non-existent.

This leaves many fans to believe that if the developer hasn't come out with a Fable 2 PC version by now then they probably never will. Since Fable 3 has already been released there is probably little interest for the developer in going back in the series. The money will be moving forward and creating Fable 4. Hopefully, that incarnation of the game will be available on both the console and the PC to keep the remaining PC fans happy.