Consider a Career in the Growing Video Game Design Industry

Going back only a decade or two, very few people would have considered embarking upon a career in the video game industry. Video games were less sophisticated and available than they are now, and although technology evolved at a rapid pace, video game development was simply not a profession that was taken seriously. Fast forward to the present, and you will find increasing demand in the world of gaming. From games on apps and smart phones, tablets, and various gaming systems or specialty game devices, online casino games there is now a vast market of opportunity for anyone considering a career as a video game designer.

Becoming a video game designer is something many students find appealing. Millennials and Gen ‘X’ers have been learning and using games their whole lives. They can easily transition from dedicated gamer to video game developer.

What does a job as a video game developer or video game designer look like?

If getting paid to have fun and test new video game concepts, designs and characters sounds like a fun gig, then a career in video game developing might be the perfect match. Despite having to endure those challenging, yet tedious aspects of game development, being the creator and the player of the games can take an avid gamer as far as their imagination will go.

However, there are often long hours involved in game developing. Just like a writer of a great novel, you are building a story through pixels. You may wish to include and develop elements such as puzzles, secrets, or plots. You can also develop characters and create the setting of the game(s).  Imagine a world within your mind that has the freedom to come to life on the screen!

What type of education is needed to become a video game maker / designer / developer?

Unfortunately, there is no ‘one-size-fits’ all answer, because there are many different types of video game design jobs out there.  Each has a specific area or skillset to complete the technicalities required of the position.

These are just a few of the game designer positions available:

• Coding
• Gaming Software Engineer
• Video Game Designer
• Video Game Developer / Programmer
• Game Producer
• Game Content Creator / Writer
• Music Composer
• Game Animation
• Artists / Illustrators – both digitally and by hand
• Online casino game Developer / Programmer mostly online slots like the ones seen here

To start, any basic college course that has to do with computers and technology should be part of the chosen curriculum. These areas can help you home in on a specific gaming niche, whether animation is your thing, or coding, video game designer, programmer, etc. Decide upon your primary focus later. Classes with a focus on art education are also a good place to begin.  Music, sound, illustration, animation, computer science and related art and/or graphic design courses will help you develop the best aptitudes.

The pay scale of video game designers and video game developers is very generous, most living comfortably in the range of $45,000 – $80,000 + per year. Some salaries may be higher, depending on the companies and location and your skills.  Most of the major video game companies are located on the West Coast of the United States, but there also many online casino game providers in Europe. Students from all over can find art classes either on a campus setting or by attending art school online. Careers in video games can also be done remotely, in some instances. This is ideal for someone who does not like commuting or working in a traditional office setting.

Some Good Online Game Design Schools

Baker College

Sheridan Technical College

Academy of Art University

Franklin University

Full Sail University

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh—Online Division