Breaking into the game industry isn't easy and a newcomer isn't going to land a lead design position without any sort of experience. The starting point many developers recommend to newcomers is game testing. Usually this process is done in-house, but Microsoft is tapping VMC Labs to outsource all of their Xbox 360 game testing needs. TeamXbox recently interviewed some executives at VMC who answered the question: "How do I become a game tester?"

The game testing we do is an 8-5 desk job. The difference is that rather then pushing paper, we are playing the latest games months before they are on the market. A background in software and a passion for games are the only requirement. ... "For a games tester, what we look for are more requirements rather than actual qualifications. A tester needs to be literate, reliable, and determined. An inquisitive mind is always a plus," said Clarke. "Being passionate about games is important, but what is also important is that a potential tester understands that game testing is often nowhere near as fun as it sounds."