The video games sector is one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries in the world and a career in games development offers great opportunities. In the UK 28,000 people work in the games business, including in studios, publishing and retail.
A career in games development is rewarding. Staff turnover in the industry is relatively low. Average salaries exceed £30,300 per year, which is significantly above the national average of £25,000. Developing games is intrinsically innovative, creative and satisfying. There are a variety of jobs and career paths within the games development sector. Artists, animators, graphic artists, designers, computer programmers, audio programmers and designers, testers and production managers all have a role to play in developing games.
General skills and aptitude
Programmers and designers will usually be expected to have good degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Software Engineering or Games Programming. Artists and animators will have degrees in subjects such as Animation, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Games Design/Art or even Architecture. Audio programmers will normally be expected to have a degree in Music Technology or a similar subject.
Salaries: as an Animator you could earn in the region of £20,000-£42,000; Game programmers could expect to earn £25,000 to £30,000.