Top 10 Jobs for Gamers

Game Developer

Game developers can have a variety of specialties, including design, art, and programming. In addition to various specializations, different game developers might specialize in different types of gameplay devices, such as consoles or mobile.

Smaller studios might have game developers handle a diverse set of roles, while larger companies might specialize more. Throughout the production process of a game, developers will continuously improve versions of a game until it is finally ready for production.

Average Salary: $84,640

Game Designer

Designers fuel the imagination needed to envision the fantastical worlds and plots in video games. Small- to medium-sized teams will work together to create the plot, characters, and gameplay. They work closely with developers to ensure they follow the fine line between pushing the boundaries of novel ideas and design while still being able to produce a deliverable, which may be a storyboard, mockup, or prototype.They often use game engines such as Unity, art software such as Adobe Illustrator, and scripting languages such as Python & C#. However, game designers focus more on concept development, game developers focus more on coding.

Average Salary: $66,470

Marketing Analyst

Marketing analysts are responsible for market research, data analysis, and reporting. They provide key insights into game demographics and how a game company can best reach and appeal to its target audiences. They also identify key trends, establish revenue estimates, and analyze market changes. Their primary responsibility is to create a prediction model on how well the game might sell in order to plan out the release and prospective performance of the game.

Median Salary: $63,920

Video Game Writer

Writers create dialog or written descriptions and storytelling in video games. Sometimes this role can be rather small for genres such as puzzle games, which may only give a few sentences to introduce a player to the basic gameplay. Or, the role can be extensive in genres such as role-playing games, where dialog is key and often quite complex.

Often the level of dialog is dependent on the genre of the game.

Average Salary: $67,500

Animator

An animator is a type of artist who manipulates models to give movement to the characters and scenes. There are a variety of different tools used in animation. Some animators know how to draw, and some do not. Also, some know how to code, and others do not. It is all a matter of what tools the studio uses and what animators are most comfortable with.

Knowing at least a bit of drawing or coding will help make your life as an animator easier, though. Some of the most common languages are HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Other common tools include 3ds Max and After Effects.

Median Salary: $78,790

Video Game Artist

Designers might construct the gameplay, but video game artists bring it to life. They work to create the various styles that will then be woven throughout the entire game and marketing strategy. Should the characters have a creepy undead vibe or be colorful and happy? Ubiquitous styling makes games memorable and helps bring gamers into the game's world.

Some artists prefer to use more traditional artistic methods such as sketching or freehand drawing, while others might use more modern tools such as ED modeling and motion-capture technology.

Median Salary: $58,840

Game Tester

No matter how many times you go over something, there is always likely to be something you miss. Game testers are the fresh set of eyes that give the final check before the game goes to market. They pay particular attention to any inconsistencies, glitches, or bugs and are responsible for writing up a final report clearing the game. It might seem like they play video games all day for a living, but they play a vital role in ensuring a game comes out right the first time.

Median Salary: $87,550

Professional Gamer

For all of the parents out there who have yelled at their children that playing video games will not help them get a job … well, it turns out that is not always true. Of course, the chances of becoming a video game pro are about the same as playing sports professionally, but some people achieve that goal. These men and women often play full-time and compete in competitions. Those who win can earn lofty prizes or get picked up by sponsors.

Average Salary: $56,130

Programmer

No one gets to see a video game quite like a programmer. Instead of fanciful characters and adventures, programmers see thousands of lines of back-end code. They often work in C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. Various types of programmers work on a game, often working in various languages and having different specializations and goals. In the end, their job is to make all of these ideas come together and create the backbone for the game.

Median Salary: $93,000

Audio Engineer

Media sound quality has improved immensely over the last few years, in large part to audio engineers and sound technicians. Without that woosh of a lightsaber, the booming sound of a firearm, or even the subtle change of calm background music to something more nerve-wracking to suggest imminent danger, your video game experience would not be as immersive. We often do not notice the work of audio engineers, but they play a vital role in the sound and musicscape that keeps players engaged.

Median Salary: $65,000