Careers in Video Gaming

Do you spend hours perched on the edge of the sofa playing your favorite video games? Do you have some suggestions on how to make the games more challenging? If you are screaming, YES I DO!! at the top of your lungs, buckle up your seat belt - this could be a bumpy ride!

To look into this emerging career field, from the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Career Cluster, I turned to Liz Seasholtz from wetfeet.com. She unearthed some great information for us in the field of video gaming.

Gaming is no different than most industries in that includes many subspecialties and requires people of diverse interests and educational backgrounds, with varying skill sets. “It breaks down into granular detail,” says Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association. “Students coming from high school need to make that decision before college because it determines what path you’re going to go down.”

The program you choose depends largely on the role you want to play. Future game programmers develop the software that turns concepts into reality, and typically major in computer science. Game artists create the visual aspects of the game such as animation, texturing, or game environments, and study fine arts or media arts. Game producers manage the overall collaboration of the game, and often pursue management programs. Game designers should be well-versed in a few areas: computer science for the technical aspects of the job, as well as drama, history, philosophy, or English for the creative side.

Please take a few minutes and read the article in its entirety. The author mentions that the hours can be from 40 - 80 hours a week. There is some good money to be earned, but there can also be a huge time sacrifice.

Where will you go to find the education you need to break into the field, especially if you do not live near a college or university that offers a degree in the industry? Check out the institutions of higher learning on our home page, KSCareers.com. Many Kansas technical schools, colleges, and universities have catalogs listing their virtual courses. Still have questions, click on one of the schools and contact them directly. They will be happy to help you and point you in the direction you would like to go.