One consequence of that expansion is that more opportunities are available to work in the industry. The jobs that are there vary considerably, from those on the creative side to working as a games writer.
Some people are even capitalizing on the public passion for games by making a lucrative career out of just playing the various titles. There are lots of options around for anyone keen on a career within the industry.
In the following article we are going to take a closer look at what the various career paths are in the games sector. We will also discuss how you can find the one that will suit you best.
The Main Games Industry Career Choices
A study that was conducted in the UK last year revealed that employment levels within its games industry had risen 11.4% over the course of the year. That trend is not restricted to the UK either, but what sort of roles are people taking on?
- Programmer
This is one of the most important jobs in the games sector. Programmers are responsible for making the games work, including writing all of the code for them.
If you are playing anything from a role-playing video game to an online casino UK table game or slot machine, the programmer is the person who made it function properly. This is a career that requires considerable skill in software development and the various programming languages.
- Artist
Game artists provide creative input into the graphics for the games. They play a major role in determining how characters, objects, landscapes and backdrops look for each game. Most game artists have graphic design, digital or fine arts qualifications.
- Designer
The designers come up with the storylines, puzzles and other aspects that make the games engaging for those who play them. They usually work collaboratively with others.
- Writer
A games writer is usually a journalist who is employed by one of the many games websites or print magazines. The qualifications that are needed for this job will generally include a degree in journalism.
More important qualities are passion, knowledge of the subject and ability to write well though. If you have those things, it can be possible to break into the industry as a gaming journalist without the degree.
- Professional Gamer
A new career path that is opening up now is that of a professional gamer. To some degree they have always existed, particularly in the casino gaming subsector, but now it is not just betting games that people are playing professionally.
The primary reason why more people are starting to view gaming as a legitimate career is the rise of e-sports. These are competitive events where teams of gamers play video games against each other and successful competitors can make very good money.
Some of that will be prize earnings from competition wins while the rest tends to come from sponsorship. This is a part of the industry that is seeing greater levels of investment and consumer engagement. At a time when 86% of those recruited by the games industry are graduates, it offers a way in for those who did not attend university.
Picking the Right Path for You
If you are serious about wishing to pursue a career in this industry, the first step is to work out where your interests and abilities lie. If you are computer-savvy and have coding skills, a career as a programmer may well suit you. On the other hand, if you possess artistic flair, it could be worth looking into studying for a games artist career.
Those who are strong in storytelling and team-working skills are likely to find the designer role best suits their abilities. If you most want to share your love of gaming with the wider world, either training to become a games journalist or pursuing a career as an e-sports professional might be the right fit.
The only way that you can be really sure that you are looking for the best games job for your personality and talents is by researching them in depth. Then, when you know what area of the industry you want to break into, focus on gaining any qualifications or skills that you will need to sell yourself to future employers.
There are far more opportunities within the gaming industry than there have ever been, from making the games to writing about them and even playing them. This is the ideal time to turn your dream career into a reality.