Gaming has turned into an industry that now dwarfs traditional movie entertainment. It was only a few short years ago that people were surmising that the gaming audience would one day be bigger, that the budgets for games would be bigger, and the total addressable market for gaming would exceed film entertainment.  With all the talk from Facebook lately about the metaverse, the enormous success of the publically traded video gaming companies, that day has finally come.  So we jumped at the chance to share this article written by Micah Norris at  micha.norris@king-rom.com

Please note that the Insiders Fund and Alpha Wealth Funds may own some of the publicly traded gamers such as Activision (ATVI) and Applovin (APP)

Turning your Gaming Hobby into a High Paying Career

While expert streamers on Twitch can earn up to $5,000 per month streaming full-time, and top streamers can have annual salaries of $1+ million, the average streamer won’t get that far. Similarly, while eSports team members can bring in $3,000 to $5,000 per month, earning a spot on a team is incredibly challenging.For many people, the idea of turning their gaming hobby isn’t a high-paying career is enticing. The issue is that many of the approaches that first come to mind aren’t always viable.

Luckily, there is another way. By pursuing a career in game development, you can work in the video game world and earn an excellent living. Alpha Wealth Funds shares some insights.

Must-Have Skills

When it comes to technical skills, game developer candidates may need:

  • Programming Languages (C#, C++, Python, GML, PHP, etc.)
  • Web Languages (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, etc.)
  • Mobile Languages (Swift, Objective-C, Java, etc.)
  • SQL
  • GUI
  • Animation Software (Unity, Maya, etc.)
  • Game Engines (Unreal Engine, CryEngine, etc.)
  • Testing / QA

Those are just some of the technical skills a person might need to become a game developer. Ultimately, every employer is going to have a unique requirements list.

If you have your sights set on a specific company, it’s best to review their job descriptions to see what they typically look for in a candidate. Plus, you can’t stop with technical ability. Having the right soft skills is also essential. That includes:

  • Creativity
  • Collaboration
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Accountability
  • Organization
  • Time Management

That’s just a sample of the soft skills that you may need for a game developer position. In the end, any soft skill that helps you navigate the working world could be valuable, so feel free to expand beyond that list.

Building a Foundation

If you want to acquire the skills you’ll need to launch a career in game development, getting a video game-related college degree is usually your best bet. Some schools do offer degree paths specifically focused on game development. However, majors like computer science, computer programming, computer graphics technology, digital cinematography, or animation could also work.

As you acquire your base skills, seizing other learning opportunities is also wise. For example, an internship will help you hone your capabilities while also building your professional network. In some cases, an internship may even turn into a full-time job after you graduate, allowing you to transition with ease.

Doing side projects or freelancing are also good ideas. Having a solid video game development-related portfolio makes you a more enticing candidate, and both of those options can help you create one.

Launching a Career

Once you have your core skills, you’ll need to land your first official job in the field. While some graduates with robust portfolios might be able to secure a game developer position right away, most will need to take another path.

One great way to get your foot in the door with a gaming company is to get a job as a game tester. The role familiarizes you with QA processes and also helps you build your professional reputation.

Boosting a Resume

If you want to take your game developer resume to the next level, getting a Master’s degree is an excellent option. You’ll hone upper-level technical skills and showcase your dedication to the field.

With an online Master’s degree program, you can boost your credentials while balancing other obligations. These flexible options make working full-time while pursuing additional education possible or could make it simpler to handle family responsibilities. Just make sure the school offers competitive tuition rates and that it’s accredited before you sign up.

With a successful career in game development, you could be looking at long-term financial success and even early retirement!