For people who are passionate about gaming, it makes a lot of sense for them to aim for a career based on it. One of the biggest categories of entertainment has some fantastic career opportunities for people to consider chasing, with many roles offering competitive salaries alongside working for some of the biggest names in the gaming sphere.
A highly competitive area, there are solid career options all around the world, be it in the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom, or Japan. For people who dabble in PS5 favorites like God of War Ragnarok, like to experience PC title like Minecraft, enjoy retro games via emulators, or even enjoy the experience of popular online slots, working in the gaming industry is a dream. Alongside attending industry events and building up a portfolio while also working towards entry-level roles and mastering programming and scripting, there are some great jobs to consider going for once you’re ready to apply.
So, with millions of people out there desperate to realize their dream of working in the games industry, below we briefly highlight the various roles that could be suited to you and your skillset.
Artists
Without the highly talented artists out there who nail character designs and some of the most stunning environments gamers have explored, the smash-hit releases of today wouldn’t be anywhere near as special. In fact, without artists, games simply wouldn’t get made. From Prodeus and Hollow Knight to Returnal and No Man’s Sky, artists have impacted so many titles, and they continually bring new and improved creations to the table.
Game Designers
Gamers who are passionate about the virtual landscapes they traverse and the mechanics of a specific product typically find the design element of games intriguing. Becoming a game designer isn’t easy, though, but it’s not impossible. From the overall structure of a release to its engaging gameplay, game designers are crucial.
QA Testers
Ever wondered what it’d be like to play games and get paid for it? Well, that’s essentially what QA testers do. While they do have to focus on all aspects of a game and study them in extensive detail to ensure they’re ready for release, it’s still one of the most attractive jobs in the gaming world. These testers play-test a huge selection of products, perhaps looking for any bugs or identifying issues that could hinder the user experience on offer. A job so many avid gamers would love to have, QA testers are a necessity.
Programmers
If you have a passion for certain engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, then becoming a programmer is a viable option. Your strong coding skills and a solid portfolio of projects could see you land a huge job with one of the major names in the space. Be it after attending university or following the completion of an online course or a workshop, if you’re passionate about C++, C#, or Java, then you could be a real asset to a company out there.
VFX Artists
Another interesting role that is needed in all games, particularly these days, given the innovation that is continually occurring, is that VFX artists create the amazing visual effects many modern-day games possess. From bombs going off to magical creations emerging, they’re responsible for some of the most special aspects of games. People in these types of roles typically have a degree in a related field, like animation or visual effects.
Other jobs in the games industry include a lead AI engineer, a technical director, a lead network programmer, a tools engineer, a marketer, an audio engineer, a voice actor, a writer, a technical animator, a senior graphics programmer, a world designer, a UI designer, and a 3D modeling artist.
