6 Common Misconceptions About Game Development
According to Statista, the value of the global video games market this year will reach $140 billion. Thanks to the combination of increasing popularity, especially in the mobile sector, the release of new consoles, and the incentive of audiences looking to find social connections at safe distances, the video gaming industry is booming in 2021.
For decades, video games have been a mystery for people who do not play them. And some durable myths remain extremely difficult to dispel even nowadays. But let us try.
Myth #1 Video game development is all fun and games
It does not matter whether you are the primary programmer or their PR manager, or the main animator, or the music composer, or a beta tester in video game development — it is still hard work. And it requires competence and technical skills. Furthermore, as in many other fields, trends in the industry are changing each couple of months and it is not that easy to stay always updated.
Even the people tasked with playing and testing the game have to use timelines and guidelines, and fun is often only a small part of the job.
Myth #2 Video games are for children. And no girls play video games
Video games appeal to individuals of all ages, genders, skill levels, and ethnicities. While most American kids do play video games, the center of the video game market has shifted older as the first generation of gamers enters adulthood. Already 62% of the console market and 66% of the PC market are aged 18+.
From the mid-90s games such as The Sims were huge global successes that attracted many women even those who had never played games before. The reality is that now the percentage of female video game players is getting closer to 50%. Women now even slightly outnumber men playing Web-based games.
Myth #3 Only programmers and gamers can succeed in the video game industry.
While coding and programming are certainly of key importance, those roles are by far and away not the only ones available in the video game industry. You do not have to be a programmer to be successful in the video game industry. Neither a professional gamer.
A cost management accountant or a designer working on a departmental budget does not have to be rated FPS players to work effectively for a video game developer.
Myth #4 There is no space for innovation, the only formula for success
Many believe that the only way a video game can be successful is if they strictly follow the successful formula of the games that were successful before. They believe the risk of innovation is just too big.
The truth is that the video game industry is full of independent startup development studios that push both the artistic and technological envelopes at every turn. And, of course, just like everywhere, not everything produced will be a blockbuster hit, but story and quality are more likely to win in the long run.
Myth #5 Game developers get billions for playing
Do not get distracted by the large billions of dollars that you see in the video gaming industry numbers — not everyone gets rich from producing one hit video game. There is lots of work behind and it takes time and risk to create a reliable team that you can trust and think in the same direction.
Nevertheless, companies in the video game industry are likely to offer incentive packages that include stock options and other rewards that can be converted into a lucrative and mutually beneficial arrangement.
Myth #6 Video game play is socially isolating
Really?
Almost 60% of experienced gamers play with friends. 33% play with siblings and 25% play with their spouses or parents. Even games designed for single players are often played in groups, with one person giving advice to another holding a joystick. Furthermore, numerous games are designed for multiple players — either cooperative play in the same space or online play with distributed players.
According to sociologist Talmadge Wright, social expectations are reaffirmed through the social contract governing play, even as they are symbolically cast aside within the transgressive fantasies represented on the screen.
To conclude
However, users or job seekers not familiar with the video gaming industry may have certain misconceptions about how the industry works and just what positions might be available. A large gap exists between the public’s perception of video games and what the research shows. Does playing video games really mean you feel lonely? Do you need to have years of experience in playing to work in the industry? Do game developers get their billions by playing video games at home? Women do not really play, right? Not a chance! Now we know the truth.
