If you are one of the many enthusiastic youngster who's hopeful of a lucrative career in the gaming industry, then you need to read this. The media often seduces us into the false belief that things aren't what they seem and the gaming industry is riddled with media hype. In recent years video games testers got portrayed as these rich young kids who just play video games all day long.

Is this really the way it is?

Although its true for a select few games testers, for the majority this is not the case. Unless you are a highly respected games tester who works exclusively for Sony, Nintendo or UBI then you probably won't even see this glamorous lifestyle that so many thing the gaming industry is like.

For the majority of games testers however, the pay is pretty mediocre, the working hours long and tedious and the workplace over-saturated. Although that might sound like a harsh and somewhat bleak view on it, at least it will prepare you for the reality. This is a very competitive industry and unless you bring something special to the table you will just be another games tester.

There's a couple of things that distinguish fly-by-night testers and those who are serious about making a living from it. Serious testers are passionate about games. For them its more than just fun, but it's a lifestyle and something that makes them tick. They can find something interesting in every game they (have to) play and they are constantly looking for that next new game; for the next exciting challenge and for the next technological breakthrough. For them money is not the most important thing - its about doing what they love.

If you are getting into games testing for the money then you should probably stop and go to college instead. It can be a long and arduous road to the big time, but if you really love gaming then it will be a fun ride every step of the way. If you are just a "weekend gamer" then it will be hell.

Being a games tester requires more than just a passion for gaming. It obviously requires skill and if you aren't an above average gamer, then you don't stand a chance. You will also need to be a good communicator, have an eye for detail and the ability to push any game to its limits.