Note: This information is based on the Japanese gaming industry.
I’m sure most people who play games have contemplated at one point or another what it would be like to be one of the people making the game instead of just playing it. But for those serious about breaking into the industry, it’s a long step between “I want to make games!” and actually doing so. Before anything else, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what kinds of jobs are available.
Here is a simple breakdown of the basic jobs you can get at a gaming company:
| Job Title
| Description
|
| Producer |
A producer is the person who decides the what general content of a game (plot, setting, etc) will be. They are also responsible for the finances, including trying to ensure that the product sells. |
| Director |
A director is responsible for determining the main content of the game. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that the game is put out on time and as interesting/fun as possible. |
| Planner |
A planner is responsible for thinking of ways to make the game more interesting. There are many ways that a planner does this, one of which can be scenario writing/scripting (working out the details of a scene). Planners also act as intermediaries between the programmers and graphic designers. |
| Programmer |
A programmer is responsible for writing the code that enables the game to run. |
| Graphic Designer |
A graphic designer is responsible for the graphics of the game. This covers a wide variety of areas from character to background design, requiring knowledge in both 2D and 3D design. |
| Sound Engineer |
A sound engineer is responsible for the sounds and music in a game. |
The most widely-known jobs are the programming and graphic design ones, but what about a “game designer”? There isn’t actually a “game designer” position; the term usually refers to the job of a game planner, but can also cover that of a director or producer.
Programmer, graphic designer, and sound engineer are all entry level jobs. Planning is on the cusp; it’s possible to get a planning job without any prior work experience in the industry, but it’s less likely. Director and producer jobs are usually earned through promotion.
For those interested in producing and directing, planning seems like the obvious track for promotion, but the reality is that programmers and graphic designers are just as likely to be promoted to those jobs. For example, the basic promotion track for a programmer looks something like this:
Ultimately, for those serious about getting into the industry it’s a good idea to do as much research as possible into the industry and to then work towards getting the job that seems to fit you the best.
I should be worrying about the upcoming J-Ken, but instead I find myself thinking about the fact that I’m going to have to take a test before I can become employed. This is apparently standard practice for Japanese companies, and I know that big companies like Nintendo are notorious for having difficult math portions.
Are there any American companies that do this? I mean, most of my friends are employed and I have never heard of any of them having to take a test… not even those who are game programmers (which is where I’ll have to start out in all likelihood). Am I just that oblivious, or is it really just that Japan in particular believes the malarkey that tests are the best way to measure aptitude?
Sony Online Entertainment is holding a competition to decide who gets a $10,000 tuition scholarship.
From the official site:
The official SOE G.I.R.L. — Gamers In Real Life — scholarship is the first of its kind with The Art Institutes to encourage students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play.
[...]
The G.I.R.L. Scholarship will officially begin on April 1, 2008. In order to be eligible to participate, entrants must be a current student at one of The Art Institutes schools. Students are required to submit an in-game design, concept art and two essays. The deadline to enter is May 31, 2008. The winner will be announced on or about June 30, 2008.
One skilled student will win a $10,000 tuition scholarship towards his or her education at The Art Institutes school at which he or she is currently enrolled and a paid internship of up to ten (10) weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle). Entrants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from SOE.
Since it’s so narrow — limited to only those currently enrolled at one of The Art Institutes schools — I’m not sure how effective it will be at promoting the stated goal. Still, it’s drawn a fair amount of PR and anything that raises awareness as to the barriers that women face when trying to enter the industry is good in my book.
Usually when one starts telling a story, one begins at the beginning. But I honestly don’t know where my beginning is. Does it begin with the first video game I played? With the long nights I spent with my mom, and later my friend Katie, playing video games until obnoxiously late at night? What about when I realized that RPGs came from Japan, and therefore decided that I would one day learn Japanese. Perhaps I should start with when I said to myself, “Of all the things I could do with my life, I want to make and design video games.” (more…)
Andrea Rubenstein