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is there a way to make a good wage of off being a video game developer, and is it possible to have a desk job at the same time. for example can I have a desk job making good money and then also be a game dev on the side?
is there a way to make a good wage of off being a video game developer, and is it possible to have a desk job at the same time. for example can I have a desk job making good money and then also be a game dev on the side
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Emily’s Answer
Hi Charlie!
You can absolutely make a livable wage as a game developer. I have 7 years experience and am a senior environment artist making around 110k a year living in Texas.
Game development is a full time gig. But if you are simply interested in making a game on your own or with a group of friends, it can absolutely be done (over a very long time). Though, the likelihood of making money from the game in this scenario is very slim.
That being said, being a game developer was not my first job. After college, I worked part time at an insurance company and spent the rest of my time studying, learning, and building a portfolio. I saved money in that time as well. I did not break into the game industry until I was 27. Some get in earlier some later, it is never too late to start.
You can absolutely make a livable wage as a game developer. I have 7 years experience and am a senior environment artist making around 110k a year living in Texas.
Game development is a full time gig. But if you are simply interested in making a game on your own or with a group of friends, it can absolutely be done (over a very long time). Though, the likelihood of making money from the game in this scenario is very slim.
That being said, being a game developer was not my first job. After college, I worked part time at an insurance company and spent the rest of my time studying, learning, and building a portfolio. I saved money in that time as well. I did not break into the game industry until I was 27. Some get in earlier some later, it is never too late to start.
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hi Charlie! There are lots of ways to make a good wage from being a video game developer. There are many different skills and careers it takes to make a successful game. For instance, you can make a good living being a 2D artist, 3D artist, UI artist, front end coder, back end coder, game tester/QA, server admin, animator, lighting specialist, audio engineer, game designer, level designer, manager, and more! As you work longer in whatever area you choose, you'll gain more skill and will make more money over time.
Like Emily said, making games is a full-time effort with little room for money-making on the side. I used to make games for a living for a company and it paid great, now I build theme parks for a living and I make video games on the side as a hobby. However, I have no intention to make money from this, I still do the games for fun and enjoyment.
I'd suggest studying your passion in what you like most about video games (from the many careers I listed above), and follow your interest in that area. Whether it's a desk job or a game job, if you work in an area you enjoy, that will help make it worth while! You'll learn and gain experience all the time, and if you start out in a desk job in the area you enjoy, you can eventually make it to making games, or maybe industries you love that you haven't considered yet!
Good luck to you!
Like Emily said, making games is a full-time effort with little room for money-making on the side. I used to make games for a living for a company and it paid great, now I build theme parks for a living and I make video games on the side as a hobby. However, I have no intention to make money from this, I still do the games for fun and enjoyment.
I'd suggest studying your passion in what you like most about video games (from the many careers I listed above), and follow your interest in that area. Whether it's a desk job or a game job, if you work in an area you enjoy, that will help make it worth while! You'll learn and gain experience all the time, and if you start out in a desk job in the area you enjoy, you can eventually make it to making games, or maybe industries you love that you haven't considered yet!
Good luck to you!
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Charlie, I'm not sure how old you are.
You can make a very good wage as a game developer.
On the lower end (as of now) for an artist (which I am) you can make around 75k per year.
That would be for a junior artist.
On the higher end (as of now) for an artist, I've seen salaries up to 250k per year depending on the studio and this would be for a senior or lead artist.
If you go as far as "Art Director" the sky is kind of the limit. You'll probably make a base pay of around 250k or more per year and then get bonuses on top of that.
This is all kind of abstract right now though because if you're say 10 years old then the game development world will look very different in the next 10 years.
With the application of AI, a lot of junior roles will be eliminated. Possibly a lot of the senior roles. There are varying opinions of both.
I would recommend, if you're interested in the "art" side, that you get very familiar with AI tools. That way IF AI starts to take a prominent role (and I believe it will) you'll be prepared to be an "AI Artist" or whatever they might called.
As far as a "desk job." That kind of makes me sad. Almost like you're worried about your choice and you will "settle" for a "stable desk job" so that you can be protected in case things don't work out with game development.
I can tell you from first-hand experience... right now there is NO "stable desk job." They just don't exist.
And I doubt they will exist in the future. In the past it wasn't uncommon for people to work a "desk job" at the same company for 40 years and then retire.
That's just not a reality anymore. Expect to be laid off no matter what career you choose. Unless you start your own company. But even then, expect failure AND success. That's just life.
Don't be afraid to live it Charlie... it's a GREAT ride. I'm nearing the end of mine so in 10 years I'll probably no longer be working, but I've lived what would be considered an "unsafe" lifestyle when it comes to employment. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I've worked on television shows, movies, vidoe games, worked for NASA... it's a long list. And were there times I was laid off? Sure. Even fired?? Sure... that's life. But it's all a learning experience and it's a blast.
Good luck to you Charlie... "Be Bold and Mighty Forces Will Come to Your Aid!"
You can make a very good wage as a game developer.
On the lower end (as of now) for an artist (which I am) you can make around 75k per year.
That would be for a junior artist.
On the higher end (as of now) for an artist, I've seen salaries up to 250k per year depending on the studio and this would be for a senior or lead artist.
If you go as far as "Art Director" the sky is kind of the limit. You'll probably make a base pay of around 250k or more per year and then get bonuses on top of that.
This is all kind of abstract right now though because if you're say 10 years old then the game development world will look very different in the next 10 years.
With the application of AI, a lot of junior roles will be eliminated. Possibly a lot of the senior roles. There are varying opinions of both.
I would recommend, if you're interested in the "art" side, that you get very familiar with AI tools. That way IF AI starts to take a prominent role (and I believe it will) you'll be prepared to be an "AI Artist" or whatever they might called.
As far as a "desk job." That kind of makes me sad. Almost like you're worried about your choice and you will "settle" for a "stable desk job" so that you can be protected in case things don't work out with game development.
I can tell you from first-hand experience... right now there is NO "stable desk job." They just don't exist.
And I doubt they will exist in the future. In the past it wasn't uncommon for people to work a "desk job" at the same company for 40 years and then retire.
That's just not a reality anymore. Expect to be laid off no matter what career you choose. Unless you start your own company. But even then, expect failure AND success. That's just life.
Don't be afraid to live it Charlie... it's a GREAT ride. I'm nearing the end of mine so in 10 years I'll probably no longer be working, but I've lived what would be considered an "unsafe" lifestyle when it comes to employment. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I've worked on television shows, movies, vidoe games, worked for NASA... it's a long list. And were there times I was laid off? Sure. Even fired?? Sure... that's life. But it's all a learning experience and it's a blast.
Good luck to you Charlie... "Be Bold and Mighty Forces Will Come to Your Aid!"
Updated
Andre’s Answer
Hi Charlie,
Regarding your inquiry about earning potential as a game developer with expertise in User Interface and scripting, there are significant income opportunities in this field. Individuals with strong skills and experience are often highly compensated. For example, a former colleague of mine who excelled in this area was earning as much as $5,000 per week.
If this aligns with your interests and abilities, I highly recommend pursuing it as a rewarding career path.
I hope this information is useful to you.
Sincerely,
Andre De La Pena
Regarding your inquiry about earning potential as a game developer with expertise in User Interface and scripting, there are significant income opportunities in this field. Individuals with strong skills and experience are often highly compensated. For example, a former colleague of mine who excelled in this area was earning as much as $5,000 per week.
If this aligns with your interests and abilities, I highly recommend pursuing it as a rewarding career path.
I hope this information is useful to you.
Sincerely,
Andre De La Pena