Nowhere is the strength of the video game industry more apparent than in the fervor around the forthcoming release of Halo 3. Extensive marketing has built up the hype around the X-Box game to a near fever pitch with trailers, weekly updates from creator Bungie Studios, character figurines, a Web site entirely dedicated to Halo 3's "Believe" campaign, and a myriad of other tactics fanning the flames.
But just how big is the video game industry? In 2006, the Entertainment Software Association announced $7.4 billion in sales from computer and video game consoles. And this industry isn't just for the twelve year-old Nintendo player anymore; 33-year old gamers are the average aged player these days. Quite simply, video games have become part of multiple demographics in the U.S. As a result, gaming and gaming jobs - which encompass everything from marketing to digital media arts - are here to stay.
Video Game Pros of All Walks
Profession-centered trade schools or colleges with certification and degree programs offer avenues for aspiring video game professionals to get the education they need in software development, digital graphic design, and marketing. At a company like Bungie Studios, English students become script writers; computer programmers turn their code into Warthogs and Bubble Shields; and marketing professionals build the "Believe" buzz. Don't forget the musicians and the artists who create the music and visualize the world, respectively. They're all important in creating that experience that gamers crave.
Let's take a closer look at the people who come together to create a world like Halo:
- Digital Graphic Artists & Animators
- Programmers & Developers
- Writers
- Producers
- Sales & Marketing
Animators and graphic artists create the sceneries, worlds, and levels where gamers will explore as Master Chief. They can work in 2D and 3D models, depending on the need of the project. Animators and digital graphic artists can earn a salary upwards of $60,000, depending on talent and experience. With training from a premier graphic arts school, you can become a digital graphic artist or animator at a respected video game studio like Bungie.
Good programmers are in high demand to construct fluid, seamless game engines. They're critical for such tasks as coding Hunters to move properly and creating authentic real-time reflections on the armor of a Ghost. A year or two of experience can help a programmer command a $70,000 salary. Six years of experience can bump that number to $86,200. Most game developers have at least a bachelor's degree in computer programming.
The epic nature of a game like Halo 3 is largely built on the storyline, thanks to a writer toiling away at the beginning of the whole project. While writers obviously craft the dialogue and story arcs, they also can create the technical documentation, generate user manuals, and post weekly updates.
Management teams track video game development schedules from initial funding to the day when the return on investment finally justifies a game's creation. For big budget games like Halo 3, it's not unreasonable for a producer to oversee a multi-million dollar budget. Six years of experience can allow a producer to command an average of $82,715 per year. Producers are often management experts or video game designers who moved up the ranks.
The incredible scope of Halo 3's marketing campaign shows just how critical these positions are to making a video game a commercial success. Understanding the loyal following behind a game can be critical to engaging with players. Marketing tactics can range from newsletters to viral marketing tactics to presenting at exhibitions like E3. For the business-minded gamer, a marketing degree can help launch your career in entertainment marketing.
Closing the Loop on Halo 3
Production on Halo 3 has come to a close, and future video game professionals probably have missed their chance to work on this game--unless you got in on the public beta testing when it was available. However, the right education and career training could prepare you to find a job with another video game company where you can create and market the next video game that captures the hearts and minds of millions of people. So, are you ready to believe in a new career?