Become a game tester

Get paid to test video games.

Play new VR and PC games, often before they launch. Tell the developers what works and what doesn't. Earn Lab Coins for every playtest and trade them for gift cards, gear, and merch.

Become a Tester See our playtests

Free to sign up. No Discord required.

What is Impact Labs?

Real playtests for real studios.

Impact Labs is the playtesting division of Impact Reality, a remote-first team with testers all over the world. We run organized playtests for game developers and publishers who want honest feedback from real players.

We are community driven. Testers sign up on this website or through our Discord, play the game, and send back feedback the studio can act on. Good feedback earns more rewards, so the more thoughtful you are, the more you get out of it.

How it works

From sign-up to rewards in five steps.

No experience needed. If you play games and can explain what you liked and what bugged you, you can do this.

  1. Create a free account

    Sign up on the website and apply. Discord is optional.

  2. Pick a playtest

    Browse open playtests and sign up for the ones that match your headset or PC.

  3. Play the game

    Once you are accepted, play for about 1 to 2 hours during the playtest window.

  4. Share your feedback

    Fill out the feedback survey and leave a review on the game's store page.

  5. Earn Lab Coins

    Your report is rated 1 to 5 stars. Spend your coins in the Lab shop.

What you earn

Better feedback, bigger rewards.

Every playtest report gets a star rating. Your rating decides how many Lab Coins you earn for that playtest.

Lab Coins earned per playtest by feedback rating
RatingLab Coins
Perfect ReportRequires a gameplay recording 1,000
Almost Perfect 800
HelpfulHighest rating possible for late feedback 600
Basic 400
Barely a Response 200

Spend coins in the Lab shop

  • Digital gift cards: Amazon, Meta, Nintendo, Fortnite
  • VR and gaming gear: headsets, straps, accessories
  • Impact Labs merch
  • One shop purchase per month

"Paid" means rewards, not wages

This is not a job and there is no hourly pay. You earn Lab Coins for your feedback and trade them for real rewards in the shop.

What's required

The honest version.

Studios count on our testers, so every playtest comes with a few commitments. Here is exactly what you are signing up for.

1 to 2 hrs
Play time

Play the game for about 1 to 2 hours per playtest.

Survey
Required

Fill out the feedback survey after you play. This is what gets rated.

Review
Required

Leave a store review on the Meta Quest Store, Steam, PlayStation Store, or wherever the game is sold.

2 to 3 wks
Playtest window

Most playtests run 2 to 3 weeks. Late feedback is capped at 3 stars.

Platforms

VR game tester or PC gamer, there's a spot for you.

Sign up for playtests that match the hardware you already own.

Meta QuestQuest 2, 3, and 3S
PSVR2PlayStation VR2
SteamVR / PCVRPC VR headsets
PCFlat PC games
Mobile + ConsoleComing soon
More than playtests

Life in the Lab.

Impact Labs is a community of players, not just a sign-up sheet.

Weekly VR meetups

Hang out with other testers at our weekly VR social meetups.

Game key giveaways

We give away game keys to the community.

Coin mini-games

Try your luck in the Lab's coin mini-games area.

Bug Board

Report bugs straight to the developers during a playtest.

FAQ

Game tester questions, answered.

Do game testers get paid?
At Impact Labs, yes, in rewards. Every playtest can earn you up to 1,000 Lab Coins based on the quality of your feedback. You spend Lab Coins in the Lab shop on gift cards (Amazon, Meta, Nintendo, Fortnite), merch, and VR and gaming gear. You are not paid cash wages.
Is being a game tester at Impact Labs a job?
No. It is not employment and there is no hourly pay or salary. You play games, share feedback, and earn Lab Coins you can trade for rewards in the Lab shop. Play when a playtest fits your schedule.
How do I become a game tester?
Create a free account on the Impact Labs website and apply. Once you are in, sign up for playtests that match your hardware. If you are accepted into a playtest, you play the game, fill out the feedback survey, and leave a store review.
Do I need a VR headset to be a game tester?
No. Many Impact Labs playtests are for VR games on Meta Quest, PSVR2, and SteamVR headsets, but we also run playtests for regular (flat) PC games.
Do I need Discord to join?
No. You can sign up and take part through the website. Our Discord is where the community hangs out, with weekly VR social meetups, giveaways, and more, so it is worth joining if you use it.
How much time does playtesting take?
Plan for about 1 to 2 hours of play per game, plus time for the feedback survey and a store review. Playtest windows usually run 2 to 3 weeks, so you can fit it around your week.
What happens if I submit my feedback late?
Late feedback is capped at 3 stars, which is 600 Lab Coins. Submit on time to be eligible for the full 1,000.
What can I buy with Lab Coins?
The Lab shop stocks digital gift cards (Amazon, Meta, Nintendo, Fortnite), Impact Labs merch, and VR and gaming gear such as headsets, straps, and accessories. You can make one shop purchase per month.
Can I test console or mobile games?
Not yet. Right now we test on Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S, PSVR2, SteamVR and PCVR headsets, and flat PC games. Mobile and console playtests are coming.

Ready to become a game tester?

Create your free account, apply, and grab a spot in the next playtest.

Become a Tester See our playtests