Contrary to common misconceptions, gaming is no longer just a pastime.
It has metamorphosed into a multi-billion dollar industry, projected to generate $627.8 billion in revenue by 2028. The gaming business party has started already, and the good news is that no VIP pass is required, as there are multiple ways to get your piece of the pie and kick-start your career in the gaming industry.
1. Casino Jobs
Casinos are live representations of the gaming business. These establishments represent an entire ecosystem of different careers built to support gaming. As a result, it presents one of the easiest ways for individuals from different walks of life to get into gaming.
Some of the available casino job opportunities include the following:
- Casino dealer
- Casino gaming manager
- Cage cashier
- Casino floor runner
- Slot technician
And no, these jobs aren’t available to land-based casinos only. Many PA online casinos that launched recently also have openings for some of these and many more casino jobs. You might need a high school diploma, a degree, or some specific on-the-job training to get into these positions. It’s possible to start in this line of work in other states, but Pennsylvania in particular has a thriving casino scene and is second only to Nevada in terms of casino revenue throughout the state.
2. Game Development
Game development might be a good route for you into the gaming business if you want to play “God.” The gaming business involves huge cross-sector collaborations, and game development is at the very core of it all. As such, being a game developer means bringing the ideas of writers, animators, and designers to reality.
Like game design, it is a highly technical aspect of gaming requiring hard technical skills like coding. There are also several aspects of game development, ranging from engine and AI to gameplay and graphics programming. You will need a computer science degree or some proven project experience to become a game developer. North America (USA and Canada) are popular locations for game developers, with around 50% residing there. Northern Europe (Finland and Sweden) is also popular, accounting for around 15%.
3. Animation
Animation is yet another way requiring technical skills to get into the gaming business. It involves creating the behavior, gestures, and activities of characters and objects in a game. Being an animator involves working closely with developers and designers to ensure that “the game,” as the player sees it, is responsive and immersive.
Some technical requirements for getting into this field involve key frame animation technology, motion capture, after-effects, etc. In addition, some animators also know how to draw and imagine concepts, while others employ high-level coding skills.
4. Game Design
Individuals with elite creativity and problem-solving skills can enter the gaming business through game design. This involves conceptualizing new games and collaborating with other professionals to bring them to life.
Game design involves imagining new game characters and features, the gaming environment, and the game’s purpose. It is a technical aspect of the gaming business crucial to game development.
You will need strong design, project management, and communication skills to generate innovative ideas and execute gaming projects. San Francisco is one of the most popular cities for game design careers and has dozens of studios for potential candidates to apply to.
5. Writing
All aspects of the gaming business require some form of written text. So, if you’re comfortable weaving words and creating characters, writing will give you access to the gaming business.
Starting from writing game descriptions to scripting character dialogues, the gaming business needs writers to direct the audience. In addition, game writers can also work with developers, animators, and designers to ideate the game plots. Individuals with technical backgrounds and less creative talents could also get in on the action by providing technical support and writing game manuals to guide players and developers.
6. Audio Engineering
Sound plays a crucial role in the gaming business. From casino background music to video game sound effects, sound sets the atmosphere and introduces a superior sense of authenticity. As a result, there is a demand for audio engineering professionals in the gaming industry.
An audio engineer is expected to create, record, and amplify all forms of media sounds. This role is available across the filmmaking, radio broadcasting, and music sectors. Therefore, having such a background allows gaming enthusiasts to get into the gaming industry.
This role is often a blend of technical skills and creativity, as professionals use a number of tools to create dialogue and complement the gameplay experience.
7. Professional Gaming
Compared to the other ways discussed in this article, professional gaming is a more direct approach to getting into the gaming business. It wasn’t a reality many years back, and many people still find it hard to accept. However, you can get into the gaming business by honing your skills at your favorite game and gaming professionally, and it’s actually encouraged as a career option in many parts of Asia, most notably South Korea.
Multi-specific games like FIFA, COD, and Counter Strike now have an established and wide audience. As a result, there are competitions and tournaments similar to other athletic competitions where professional gamers can compete and win prizes.
8. Marketing
The competition in the gaming industry is stiff. With over 9,104 games released on Steam only as of 2023, game companies must strategically position themselves to reach and appeal to their target audience.
As such, there is a need for individuals who can conduct market research, analysis, and reporting. These skills will help companies predict a game’s level of acceptance in the market.
In addition, marketing professionals must also observe gaming trends and set revenue estimates. Individuals who can carry out these tasks and more by ensuring investors get maximum returns on their investments can get into the gaming business as marketing professionals.
