Mobile Game Playtester Contractor/Freelancer

We're looking for a sharp, mobile-game-obsessed University student (like you!) to join our team. If you live on your phone, know the difference between a Hybrid-Casual and a Casual game, and want to turn your gaming passion into a real-world experience, this role is for you. You'll be on the front lines, dissecting the competition and providing insights that shape our next hit game.

• Competitor Deep Dive: You'll be our eyes on the ground! Play, screenshot, record, and document the coolest features, core mechanics, and monetization strategies of top-performing & newly-released mobile games.
• Gameplay and UX Analysis: It's not just playing-it's analyzing. Playtest competitor games in short bursts to understand what makes them tick: the game feel, the game flow, the progression curve, the theme, and how they stack up against the market.
• Art & Visual Trend Spotting: Use your keen artistic eye to assess the visual quality of competitor games. Analyze the current standard for art style, character design, animation fidelity, and special effects (VFX). Document and describe these up-to-date visual benchmarks to inform our internal art direction.

KNOWLEDGE:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Currently pursuing a degree (especially in Game Design, Business, Marketing, Psychology, or a related field) is a huge plus!
• No formal experience? No problem! A strong, genuine passion for and active knowledge of the mobile gaming ecosystem and current market trends is essential. Bonus points for any self-taught experience in game testing
• Understanding the mobile gaming industry from the inside is a bonus.

SKILL & ABILITY:

• Detail-Oriented Pro: You can spot a bug or a brilliant design choice from a mile away. Strong organization is key.
• Analytical Mindset (Nice to Have): If you've ever tried to figure out why a game is successful to the female audience, you're on the right track.
• Clear Communicator: You can explain complex concepts (like why a certain mechanic is fun) clearly, both in writing and speaking.
• UX/Game Mechanics Basic Knowledge: Understanding how a player experiences the game is a bonus.
• Artistic Eye (Big Bonus): An understanding of basic artistic standards, composition, and visual appeal, including personal experience with hand-drawing or an interest in photography/visual media.
• Willingness to Learn & Proactive Mindset: You're eager to embrace new tools, adopt cutting-edge testing methodologies, and proactively seek out information to improve your skills and the quality of the product.
• Cooperation & Team Player: A strong collaborator who thrives in a team environment, communicates constructively, and is committed to shared goals.

LEVERAGING AI FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY & LEARNING

• We believe AI is an essential part of modern game development. In this role, you'll be encouraged to leverage industry-leading AI tools to accelerate research, enhance analysis, and improve productivity. You'll gain hands-on experience with tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Studio, NotebookLM, and the latest Google Workspace AI features for competitor research, gameplay analysis, reporting, and documentation.
• All AI tools and required licenses will be provided by Athena Studio.

CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

• This role is more than a one-year contract-it's a gateway into the mobile gaming industry. Through hands-on experience in game testing, competitor analysis, and AI-assisted workflows, you'll develop highly transferable skills that can open future career opportunities in Game QC, Gameplay Design, Level Design, Game Analysis, Game Project Coordination, and Game Studio Analysis. High-performing contractors may also be considered for future opportunities within Athena Studio based on business needs and performance.