The future of the gaming industry is limited only by what current technology will allow. We have become a race of visual learners, with more and more businesses looking for interactivity in their methods of training, presenting products, and materializing new concepts. Modeling techniques formerly limited to the games industry have found a new home in the fields of cell animation and video production. Games previously tied to a singular, console experience have gained new-found popularity as vast, multi-player worlds accessible by way of the internet. Branded game moguls such as EA, Blizzard, Midway, and Atari have stepped up the developmental pace by inviting the average gamer to hack and modify their products, resulting in a broad creative base that more than doubles the game’s playable appeal. The former “slacker hobby” of video gaming has become a multi-million dollar competition between the giants of the game world who are on the forefront of visual technology and virtual intelligence, and it is the consumer who will reap the benefits.
Though a four-year college degree in CAD/CAM, 3D modeling, computer programming, or the visual arts is generally a requirement, it is possible for the “closet hacker” to leave a lasting impression on the game world through free developmental software, beta testing programs, and online hosting. Anyone who wishes to work in the games industry needs a thorough knowledge of games in general, from traditional console games for home use, to interactive arcade experiences, computer simulations, and complex online events. Some art experience is mandatory, with other required proficiencies being a fair understanding of computer and html coding, the proper use of modeling software like Maya and 3D Studio Max, competency with any number of graphics programs including Adobe Photoshop, and a general grasp of internet frameworks. Experience is always a plus, and there are plenty of opportunities for the would-be developer to “get their feet wet” through freeware like SimPE, Milkshape, and Genesis3D.
Networking is another skill that is almost a requirement in the games industry. Most interactions between gamers and designers takes place on fan sites, during developer-hosted game sessions, over blogs, and through threaded discussions, with the occasional trade show filling in the gaps. A successful networker must be able to write in complete sentences using correct grammar and spelling, with careful attention paid to internet etiquette, and must be able to send and receive files in a multitude of formats across numerous platforms. A thorough knowledge of licensing restrictions, industry standards, and copyright laws is a must, along with the ability to communicate ideas simply and effectively across cultural boundaries. Game artists and designers must be team players and be able to work with people outside of the games industry. Good organizational skills, drive, and commitment also rank high on the list.
Though the employees of the games industry generally do not receive the bulk of the profits from their creations, this is not to say that the field is without a fair base pay and opportunity for advancement. Programmers, the core of the games industry, generally start at around $50,000 a year. Other fields have similar pay scales, including; technical directors ($60,000), game artists ($41,000), animators ($46,000), designers ($46,000), testers and quality assurance ($32,000), sound designers ($55,000), and the odd musician or technician ($55,000). Advancement is almost guaranteed, with the industry experiencing a boom in product demand that tops an all-time record, and most employees can expect to almost double their salary within six years. Positions for game designers outside of the games industry have never looked better, with opportunities arising every day in the fields of motion picture animation, education, graphic design, and business training.
In my area of the country, there are a number of hot spots for those in the games industry. Though the most well known of these locations is Orlando, Florida, new design companies have popped up both in Atlanta, Georgia and San Antonio, Texas. Employees with game development skills are in high demand at Disney Studios, where 3D modeling and computer graphics integration (CGI) earn big bucks at the box office. In Texas, programmers reign supreme, where satellite offices from such companies as Rockstar Games hire an average of twenty to thirty new programmers every year. In Atlanta, art is the biggest draw, with designers and 3D artists enjoying popularity similar to that of Andy Warhol at trade shows and conventions sponsored by such names as Sony and Nintendo.
My field of expertise is level design and 3D modeling, and judging by my previous experiences in the industry, the sky is the limit. As corporations move out of the analog age and into the digital universe, the demand for skilled digital artists grows by leaps and bounds. Businesses want interactive sites full of rich textures and training programs that are as engaging as they are educational. CGI has recently experienced a boom as a legitimate art form, creating a huge demand for professional artists to do everything from designing a simple company logo to producing multi-million dollar promotional features. Online sites like Yahoo! encourage digital artists and designers to “customize” their user experience with add-ons, free web site hosting, and site editing features not found with other companies, and then make their products available to users worldwide. Game developers regularly recruit both college students and the average Joe for product testing, GUI development, and “modding”, or altering specific components of a game’s environment such as place objects, sounds, events, and character designs. When I first began in the games industry as a teen, modding was the realm of the hard-core hacker and carried the added excitement of getting caught recoding copyrighted material. Since that time, game developers have realized the potential of this kind of “garage innovation”. Some companies, like EA and Blizzard, sponsor sites to host gamer-created content and offer free downloads of modding tools.
Overall, the gaming industry has moved from being the domain of kids to a billion dollar franchise whose market appeals to all ages and all cultures. Games are the “universal language” of fun, and as technology grows, so will the demand for more responsive, more realistic gameplay. Game artists and designers have a unique opportunity to create a culture all their own, and I intend to have my hands in it every step of the way.
Sources
http://www.jobprofiles.org/programs/arts-humanities/game-art-design/bachelor-of-science…
http://oedb.org/library/features/video-game-degrees-and-careers
http://www.animationarena.com/video-game-salary.html
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/jobs_view.php
http://www.inlandempire.craigslist.or/med/
