Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Video Game Supervisor

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Game DevelopmentManagementQuality AssuranceProduction

🎯 Role Definition

A Video Game Supervisor is a critical leadership role within the game development ecosystem, primarily focused on guiding and managing a team of Quality Assurance (QA) testers. This position acts as the bridge between the testing team and the broader production, design, and engineering departments. The Supervisor is accountable for the execution of test plans, the quality and accuracy of bug reporting, and the overall performance and professional growth of their team. They ensure that the game meets stringent quality standards across all platforms before it reaches the players, championing quality and driving processes to deliver a polished, stable, and enjoyable gaming experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior QA Tester / Senior Game Tester
  • QA Team Lead
  • Associate Producer

Advancement To:

  • QA Manager / Test Manager
  • Associate Producer / Producer
  • Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Producer / Associate Producer
  • Scrum Master / Agile Coach
  • Community Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Directly supervise, mentor, and develop a team of QA testers, providing regular feedback, performance evaluations, and career path guidance to foster professional growth.
  • Plan, delegate, and oversee the day-to-day testing activities, ensuring comprehensive test coverage for all assigned game features, builds, and milestones.
  • Oversee the project's bug tracking database (e.g., Jira, DevTrack), ensuring all defects are entered with high-quality detail, triaged effectively, and assigned to the appropriate development teams for resolution.
  • Collaborate closely with Producers, Designers, and Engineers to understand project goals, features, and priorities, translating them into actionable test strategies and plans.
  • Create and maintain detailed test plans, test cases, and other QA documentation, ensuring they are kept up-to-date with the project's evolving scope.
  • Generate and deliver clear, concise, and accurate daily and weekly reports on testing progress, bug metrics, and overall build stability to project stakeholders.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all QA-related matters for the assigned project area, facilitating communication and resolving roadblocks between testing and development.
  • Lead and coordinate specialized testing efforts, including regression, compatibility, performance, and certification testing (TRC/TCR) for console platforms.
  • Triage and verify bug fixes, meticulously ensuring that reported issues have been resolved and have not introduced new defects into the build.
  • Proactively identify risks and dependencies that could impact the testing schedule or product quality, and communicate them effectively to the production team.
  • Manage team schedules, coordinate shift coverage, and approve timecards to ensure adequate testing resources are always available to meet project demands.
  • Facilitate team meetings, stand-ups, and bug triage sessions to maintain team alignment and ensure efficient workflow.
  • Evaluate build quality and provide a "Go/No-Go" recommendation for key milestones and releases based on data-driven quality assessments.
  • Maintain a deep, hands-on understanding of the game, its mechanics, and its systems to guide the team in identifying complex and edge-case issues.

Secondary Functions

  • Train new testers on project specifics, testing methodologies, and internal tools and processes to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
  • Continuously evaluate and recommend improvements for existing QA processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Assist the QA Manager in resource planning, scope assessment, and budget forecasting for upcoming projects and milestones.
  • Contribute to building a positive, collaborative, and high-performance team culture that is passionate about game quality.
  • Mediate and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts within the team, promoting a respectful and supportive work environment.
  • Stay current with industry trends, new testing tools, and emerging technologies in quality assurance and game development.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Bug Tracking Software: Expert proficiency with industry-standard bug tracking databases such as Jira, DevTrack, Hansoft, or Azure DevOps (ADO).
  • Test Case Management: Experience using test management tools like TestRail, Zephyr, or Xray to create, execute, and track test cases.
  • Console Certification (TRC/TCR): In-depth knowledge of Sony (TRC), Microsoft (TCR), and Nintendo (LotCheck) compliance and certification requirements.
  • Game Development Lifecycle: Strong understanding of various development methodologies, particularly Agile/Scrum, and the role of QA within them.
  • Platform Knowledge: Familiarity with the hardware, software, and ecosystems of major gaming platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mobile).
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to gather, analyze, and present QA data effectively using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or data visualization software.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team, providing constructive feedback and fostering a positive environment.
  • Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical issues clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Adept at identifying the root cause of issues, analyzing risks, and developing effective solutions under pressure.
  • Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
  • Conflict Resolution: Skill in navigating and resolving conflicts both within the team and between departments in a professional and constructive manner.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing project priorities, tight schedules, and evolving game builds in a dynamic development environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Game Design & Development
  • Project Management
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of experience in video game quality assurance, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership capacity (e.g., QA Lead, Senior Tester with mentoring responsibilities).

Preferred:

  • Experience shipping multiple game titles, ideally across a variety of genres and platforms (AAA, mobile, PC).
  • Direct experience managing a team of 5 or more testers.
  • Experience working on a Game as a Service (GaaS) or live-ops title.
Explore More Careers