An introduction to careers in video games
"What qualities are necessary to be a game designer? 1. lots of patience. 2. a glint in the eye. 3. liking games"
Satori Iwata (President of Nintendo, 2002-2013)
The UK’s games industry began in the 1970s and has since grown into the largest in Europe. The industry includes video games and interactive experiences across all digital platforms from arcade machines to computers, home and handheld consoles, mobiles and tablets, along with new technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
The industry needs a wide range of skills, ranging from art to programming. There's also a demand for those with skills in marketing, project management, sales and finance. Scroll through our job profiles to find one that interests you and click for information on some of the routes in.
With over 92% of young people playing videogames, and a sector worth £7 billion to the UK economy, there is so much space for new talent from diverse perspectives.
Who is it for?
The skills needed to work in the games industry are broad and varied, with large and small development studios needing different skills to publishers or distributors.
In general, the smaller the studio the broader the set of skills you’ll need. Employees often fulfil a range of jobs which might include design, programming, or even production. This can give you the scope to develop a wide range of skills.
In a large company, job roles tend to be more specific, like 3D modelling artist, programmer, or animator.
Roles in business management, publishing and distribution require administration, legal, finance, marketing and sales skills in place of technical and artistic skills. Games companies are rarely conventional corporate workplaces, so they can be a great place to grow your career, no matter what interests or expertise you may have.
How much can I earn?
The average pay across the games industry is just over £38,000. However, there are wide variations depending on job role and level of seniority. Lead programmers regularly earn above £50,000 and publishers earn an average salary of £46,000. Specialist roles like audio programming command higher salaries whilst entry-level positions like quality assurance (QA) testers are paid an average of £16,000.
How to get started?
There are several routes into roles in the games industry and the best option depends on the area of the industry you’re interested in – whether that’s working on the creative, technical, design or business management side.
At school or college, subjects that are good to study include computer programming, computer science, physics, maths, animation, visual effects (VFX), project management, music, music technology, art and design, depending on the role you are aiming for.
The Into Games Careers Hub is a great place to start, allowing you to explore specific resources, events and training pathways. You may also want to look at the ScreenSkills Games Industry Careers Map which provides an overview of the sector and its job roles.