Careers in Game Development
Part 1. Careers in GameDev: What Careers Exist in the Game Industry
Is it possible to work in gamedev without playing games?
We continue our “Careers in GameDev” series, in which recruiters at G5 Games Marina Tishchenko and Alla Ignatenko talk about how to find a job in gamedev. Many people think that gamedev is only for programmers or techies, and to enter this field, one must necessarily be an avid gamer. Let’s see if that’s true. What professions exist in the game industry? Is it possible to work in gamedev without playing games? And is there a place for humanities in this promising niche?
Who’s Who in GameDev
Sooner or later, each of us faces a situation when we need to decide which field of professional development to choose for ourselves. As a rule, we all want the work to be interesting, the tasks not to bore us, and the salary decent. Not to mention a balance between work and life, a never-ending career ladder, and many more such wants.
Gamedev is the field where you can cover most items on your wish list. It’s not just a separate direction in IT; it’s an entire universe where everyone can find their place and become part of the unique process of creating games.
Let’s find out what specialists stand behind all of this.
Game Designers invent the game and set its framework: plot, time and place (setting), characters, mechanics on which the game is based (gameplay), graphics, text, and sound. Their job is to combine these elements of the game so that the player experiences true delight.
Game Artists & Game Animators are the creators of the game’s visual symphony. This is probably one of the largest groups of gamedev representatives. Artists give the game a visual style and create characters, locations, interface elements. Animators bring the art artists draw to life, making it move and adding various visual effects.
Programmers are real code wizards. They write scripts to create and optimize game engines, ensuring smooth and inspiring interaction between the player and the virtual world.
Game Producers and Project Managers are like captains of ships; they stand at the helm and set the course for game project development. They are responsible for planning, budgeting, and coordinating the project team.
Game Testers are the detectives in the world of game development. Their task is to find and identify bugs and errors, ensuring the game is flawless.
Game Localizers do not just translate; they give the game a new life in another culture. They adapt it to the cultural and ethnic characteristics of different countries, allowing players worldwide to understand the creators’ vision exactly.
Game Project Analysts are the numerical geniuses of game development, studying data, analyzing player behavior, and determining the effectiveness of various game elements. They help optimize the game using facts and figures.
When a game goes into production, specialists from the marketing department take over. They play a key role in the successful promotion and monetization of games. It is thanks to the work of marketing that the game becomes recognizable and profitable. What professions can be found in this department? Let’s look at some of them in the example of our company.
Marketing Research Managers plan, conduct marketing research, and analyze the market, trends, and consumer preferences.
Graphic Designers and Motion Designers create creatives (banners, videos) for various advertising campaigns.
User Acquisition Managers research and select the most suitable platforms and channels to attract the target audience, plan and launch advertising campaigns, interact with advertising agencies and partners, and conduct A/B testing of various approaches and strategies to acquire users effectively.
Monetization Managers work on monetization strategies for game content.
Social Media Managers interact with the player community and create social media content to engage the audience.
Business Development Managers look for new opportunities for company growth. They establish strategic partnerships, analyze the market, identify trends in the mobile gaming industry, and develop business expansion strategies.
Support Managers ensure that players feel comfortable in the virtual world.
Specialists in service departments are essential, without whom it is impossible to imagine any modern IT company.
System Administrators are responsible for configuring and supporting network equipment and optimizing IT infrastructure operations.
The HR department, represented by Recruiters and HR People Partners, helps find the best specialists, retain them within the company, and keep them motivated.
Brand/Event Managers develop brand strategy, collaborate with influencers, and organize events.
Accountants deal with the financial operations of the company.
Certainly, this is far from a complete list of professions in game development. It can vary from company to company, but that does not negate the fact that it is a very broad field with a wide range of directions for development.
Who is This Suitable for?
How can you choose what is right for you from the variety of professions? We advise you to start by analyzing your soft and hard skills. In other words, you need to understand your qualities and what you would like to develop in the future.
Below are a few professions and the key qualities that define them.
If you can easily come up with exciting and original ideas, and can communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, whether they are developers or artists, then you should consider game design.
If your favorite tasks involve analyzing algorithms, diving into code to find bugs, and optimizing performance, you should consider a career as a programmer.
If you have a creative mindset, enjoy drawing/animating art, and spend each day thinking of new ideas, you will likely be able to unlock your potential as an artist, animator, or graphic designer.
If you are detail-oriented, can spot even the most obscure bug in a game, and enjoy developing and compiling reports, then you might find the position of a tester interesting.
If you have experience managing corporate culture, resolving conflicts, possess empathy, and consider words as your working tool, then you might want to explore roles in the HR field.
If you have a strategic vision for product development, can multitask effectively, are ready to take responsibility for others’ work while also being comfortable delegating tasks, and excel in time management, you should consider managerial positions such as producer or product manager.
Of course, in addition to soft skills, proficiency in specialized tools is required for professional work. You can try to learn most of them on your own to understand what comes easier to you and what you should focus on. Here’s a list of key tools specific to certain roles that may be useful:
As you can see, game development is not just for engineers and people with technical backgrounds. A wide range of skills and abilities are needed here. To learn how to start your journey in game development, read our next article.
