The video game industry is thriving for 2021 and beyond, thanks to a mix of rising popularity, notably in the mobile sector, the launching of a new generation of consoles, and the motivation of audiences looking for social connections at a safe distance.
According to Statista, the worldwide video game market will be worth over $140 billion in 2021.
In the coming years, job searchers expect the video gaming sector to significantly influence their job hunt. However, as a job seeker or someone interested in the industry, it’s essential to address the myths that could be holding you back from making your mark or just aren’t true.
Myth: In the video game industry, only programmers succeed.
Reality: To be successful in the video game industry, you do not need to be a programmer.
Artists, composers, story writers, producers, accountants, designers, testers, marketers, software engineers, and so many others all play important roles in the video game development cycle.
While coding and programming are vital, they are far from the sole employment options in the video game industry. In short, there are plenty of ways to start making a name for yourself in the video game industry.
Myth: To work in the video game industry, you must be a gamer.
Reality: To be successful in the video game industry, you don’t have to be a gamer.
It is a complete fallacy that you must be a video gamer to have a successful career in the video game industry.
“While playing video games can assist an artist, musician, writer, or puzzle maker create better stuff, it is absolutely not required. For example, to work effectively for a video game producer, a cost management accountant working on a departmental budget does not need to be a ranked FPS player; what matters is their expertise in their professional function,” shares Jason Turner, a tech writer at eliteassignmenthelp.com and UK Services reviews.
Myth: Video game makers are or will be extremely wealthy.
Reality: While game developers are unlikely to become millionaires, they should be fairly compensated.
Don’t be deceived by the video gaming industry’s enormous billion-dollar figures—not everyone will become wealthy by creating a hit game. However, shareholders will likely see the majority of the monetary rewards of a very successful game, just as they will for any other firm you may work for, particularly one that is publicly traded.
It’s the nature of capitalism.
However, you should constantly consider compensation benefits, in addition, to pay, as part of your job-search approach.
Also note that video game development companies tend to offer incentive packages that include stock options and other benefits, resulting in a profitable and mutually beneficial relationship. Don’t be frightened to compare prices.
Myth: All jobs in the video game business are located in California.
Reality: Not all video gaming careers necessitate relocation to California.
Have you heard or something developed the idea that all gaming development jobs are in California, notably Silicon Valley?
While many firms in the video game industry are headquartered there, satellite studios for those companies are commonly spread around the United States, if not the entire world.
There are several game development studios located all over the world. So there’s no doubt it’s a global industry.
Sarah Manby, a business blogger at State of writing and UK Writings, shares,
“More crucially, there’s no doubt that the video game industry is one of the most connected thanks to network and cloud-based systems that are in place, making it easier than ever before to work in real-time with another developer on the other side of the world. Even before a global epidemic made it normal operating procedure for everyone else, working remotely was the standard operating procedure.”
Myth: Making video games is all about having fun
Reality: Creating video games is a difficult task.
And finally, some people have this image in their heads that making video games is all fun and games, perhaps like some people imagine working at Facebook or Google is like, but that’s just not the case. Making video games is hard work and takes a lot of grinding.
Whether you’re the lead programmer of a game in production, the producer, the main animator, the music composer, or a beta tester, video game creation is a lot of labor.
The work is often rewarding and enjoyable, and it may even be financially rewarding, but it is still a job at the end of the day.
Even those entrusted with playing and testing the game during development see their work as a deliverable that must be accomplished on time and within budget. A job is a job.
In those cases, labeling an in-game activity as “fun” is just a part of their job description, something to include in their daily reports. Don’t take this career path lightly. There are a lot of hours and long nights ahead of you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are very common misconceptions that should be addressed when looking into a career in the video games industry, and the sooner you’re able to understand these, the more successful you’re going to allow yourself to be!
Elizabeth Hines is a digital marketer and game industry writer at Essay Roo and Big Assignments. She loves playing video games like COD and Left For Dead 2, but her favorite game is the original The Last of Us. She also writes for online magazines and blogs, such as Study demic and others.
