No, they are different.

QA testing for games is a profession focused on finding bugs, technical issues, and ensuring a game functions as intended. Playtesting focuses on the player experience, such as how intuitive, enjoyable, and clear the game feels to play.

As a UX-UI co-development studio for AAA games, our Research team partners with industry leaders like EA, Riot, Gearbox, Nexon, and more to help refine their core gameplay experiences before new content gets released. This is where you come in!

We run a full range of studies across the development cycle, from early concept validation through to near-final builds and live service updates.

These can include coming in to playtest the first hour of a game, going through a series of tasks through a simple prototype, or playing a game at-home over the course of multiple weeks.

Playtesting with us is not a job or form of employment. While you may be compensated for participating in eligible studies, each playtest is a standalone opportunity. Think of it as occasional, paid opportunities to help developers improve their games in your spare time!

To be eligible for playtesting, you must be aged 18+. For in-person studies, you must reside in the Greater Vancouver area and are able to safely commute to our playtest lab based in Downtown Vancouver. Experience-wise, you don't have to consider yourself a pro gamer! We look for a wide variety of gaming experience. Sign up even if there's just one game you know very well!

Complete the sign-up form to get started, then check your inbox for the Gaming Habits Questionnaire to build out your player profile.

Once registered, you’ll receive emails about upcoming playtesting opportunities, when opportunities arise. We regularly recruit participants for new studies, with in-person opportunities available for players based in Vancouver.

At the moment, we are only recruiting participants from North America.

If you are based within a one-hour commute of Vancouver, Canada, you are eligible for in-person studies at our studio, where you’ll play a game and share your feedback on-site. If you are located elsewhere in North America, you may be eligible for remote at-home playtesting opportunities, depending on the needs of each study.

These opportunities are available on a study-by-study basis.

After you have sent in the form above, you'll:

1. Receive an email confirming your submission as well as a link to the Gaming Habits Questionnaire
2. Receive an email about your availability 1-2 weeks before an upcoming study, should your profile match a partnering studio's needs.
3. Have a call to confirm your gaming habits and history before confirming the test date and time, if eligible
4. Take part in the study either by coming to our Playtest lab in our Downtown Vancouver studio or testing from your home

This questionnaire helps us understand the kind of player you are, including your favorite genres, how you play, and your overall gaming habits. Our partner studios rely on this information to match you with the right playtests, whether that’s a game you already love, something close to it, or a completely new experience that benefits from your perspective.

The more accurate and complete your responses are, the better we can match you to relevant studies and ensure your feedback has real impact.

We use your information only to match you with relevant playtesting opportunities, send study-related communications, and conduct playtesting studies.

Sprung Studios takes privacy seriously. We do not sell, share, or use your personal information or gaming habits for any purposes outside of playtesting and participant coordination.

If you’ve opted into other Sprung mailing lists, such as our general newsletter or Sonar, you may also receive occasional updates or resources. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails.

Our partner studios highly value what our playtesters have to say, so each study is carefully matched with players who meet specific criteria like platform, play habits, and more. Because of this, not everyone will be a fit for every opportunity that arises.

We recommend keeping your profile up to date to improve your chances of being selected. If you haven’t heard from us in a long time and want to check in, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

We compensate all participants for their time in each study in cash. The amount varies depending on the study type, including its length and the tasks involved.

For in-person studies, participants can earn up to $60 for one hour. For multi-day studies or longer take-home sessions, compensation can be up to $325 per study for successful completion.

Because playtesting is a paid participation opportunity and not an employment or professional engagement, we do not provide references for participation in studies.

You’re welcome to share that you’ve participated in a playtest at Sprung Studios, and we always appreciate it when participants refer friends to sign up if they had a positive experience.

However, because you may be testing games or features still in development, you will typically be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before participating. This means the details of what you see and play during a session must remain confidential.

We appreciate your discretion in helping us protect the confidentiality of in-development work!

Our Referral Program lets you invite friends to join our in-person playtest list in Vancouver.

If someone you refer signs up and is successfully verified, you’ll receive an entry into our $50 gift card raffle. Your friend may also benefit by gaining access to future playtesting opportunities.

To qualify, referrals must:

- Be new to our playtesting panel (first-time sign-ups only)
- Be based in Metro Vancouver and able to attend in-person sessions at our Downtown Vancouver lab
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a valid Canadian phone number
- Be willing to participate in playtesting and provide feedback on gameplay, content, or concepts
- Not currently work in the games industry, to help ensure unbiased feedback

Once your referral signs up using your unique referral code and is verified, your entry into the raffle is automatically recorded.