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Valued at around $195.65 billion by the end of 2021, video games form a massive industry with far-reaching effects. Originally called a passing fad by Michael Moon in 1997, video games have exploded since the original creation of Pong in the 1970s. 

With thousands of new titles released each year, the industry currently employs around 276,787 people in the US alone. Considering numerous incredible development studios are located around the world, the estimated total number is closer to 330,000 employees. 

By working in specific roles, each of these employees contributes to the industry and the entertainment of millions. Let’s look at some of the most common jobs in the video game industry that help bring game concepts to fruition. 

Game Writer

One of the most critical positions is that of a game writer. Anyone employed in this role is responsible for creating the game’s story. There is no denying that a strong story that is both captivating and engaging is essential to the success of any game within specific genres. 

Aside from writing the main story, game writers are also generally responsible for the dialogue scripts of a game. These are the interactions between leading players, NPCs (non-playable characters), and any other speech within a game. 

Witty comments, clear instructions, and understandable story progression are all things that make a game more enjoyable. Therefore, game writers have one of the most challenging jobs to ensure that a game is enticing to the highest number of players. 

Game Developer

Second to a game writer is the game developer. Generally speaking, a single game will have multiple developers who all work together to build the game and bring the final product to a point where it is ready for distribution. 

Developers are responsible for all the coding and programming that marries the game’s story, animations, graphics, sound, gameplay, and physics. Because of this, any error on a developer’s part could cause a game to be less enjoyable or even unplayable. 

Due to the nature of the work, game developers usually require a high degree of technical skill. In some companies like EA and Ubisoft, this skill must be displayed as a computer science or relevant degree. That said, many fantastic self-taught indie developers have also made exceptional games. 

Game Artist

Game artists have exceptional abilities to imagine something from scratch and bring it to life visually. They are responsible for creating all the graphics in a game, from the actual environment in which the game takes place to the character design. 

Because we live in a world where high definition and realism are celebrated, this job entails many different aspects. Some of these include texture artists, character artists, world designers, user interface artists, and art directors who ensure all other artists follow a level of continuity. 

These employees’ final artwork is usually handed over to the developers or game animators. Here, the artwork gets applied to the game while the artists constantly make tweaks to ensure it looks its best. 

Game Animator

Animators work closely with the art department on any game build. They are responsible for taking raw artwork and transforming it into 3D art that moves and reacts according to what is happening in the game. 

Animators need to have a good understanding of game engines and the physics that different engines allow. These things impact how characters move, interact with each other, and how the environment that you’re playing in looks. 

Aside from digital animation, many game studios also allow their animators to use technology like motion capture and real-world recording. In these cases, specific game screens are recorded using real objects or actors, and the movement is then applied to the in-game environment or characters.

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers work with almost every other department on a game’s development. From ensuring the developers know when a specific sound is supposed to trigger to asking the game testers to check if a song is playing at the right time, they are responsible for everything we hear while we are playing. 

From creating never-before-heard sounds to recording sounds that replicate authentic experiences, audio engineers work tirelessly to ensure that games are audibly immersive. All this effort can be appreciated when a game’s atmosphere and temperament are just what they should be. 

Audio has also been credited with helping specific games make players experience precise feelings while playing. Examples of this can primarily be found within the horror genre. Here, audio is used to help players feel tense and anxious about what happens next in the game. 

Game Tester (QA Tester)

QA (or quality assurance) testers arguably have one of the most enjoyable jobs in the industry. They are responsible for thoroughly testing the game before its release and finding anything that isn’t working the way it should. This job includes testing the latest AAA titles to the newest slot games for online casinos. 

While there is a common misconception that game testers simply enjoy playing new games all day long, the job carries significant stress. There is also an element of technical skill required when testers try to duplicate previously known glitches to see if they have been corrected. 

Because of the nature of this job, the hours are generally incredibly long and can become tedious. Especially when trying to test a single game level over and over to ensure all bugs have been patched. Despite this, the job offers the chance to play games before anybody else. 

Conclusion

Video games are released after numerous people on multiple teams have spent endless hours getting them perfect. Once a game has been published, the work continues. This continued effort ensures that any new bugs or reported issues are completed. 

However, working in any of the above positions comes with a fantastic sense of accomplishment. Particularly when you think of how many people worldwide enjoy the fruits of your labor and every moment along the journey. 

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